Marvin OnumonuWorkWell, a health and employment support programme, will be rolled out across England to help people with health conditions stay in or return to work.
The Government said the service will support up to 250,000 more people over the next three years, following a pilot that supported over 25,000 people in 15 areas.
WorkWell is part of the Government’s plan to boost living standards and support economic growth by helping disabled people and those with health conditions move from welfare into work.
Backed by up to £259m, the programme connects people to local services including physiotherapy, counselling and workplace adjustments.
In the pilot, 48% of people reported mental illness as their main barrier to employment, and 59% were out of work at their first appointment.
Support is available whether people are claiming benefits or not and is delivered through work and health coaches.
Referrals can come from employers, GPs, Jobcentre Plus, local services or self-referral.
Services vary by area and can include physiotherapy for back pain, mental health interventions, advice for workplace adjustments and ongoing health condition management.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden, said: “Too often, people with health conditions are signed off sick without the support they need to stay in or return to work—and that doesn’t help anyone.
“WorkWell changes that by giving people the help they need. Our pilot provided support to 25,000 people to remain in their jobs and helped others get back to work.
“Now we’re rolling this out nationwide—because supporting people to stay healthy and employed benefits individuals, businesses, and our economy.”
The Government expects the national rollout to reduce pressure on the NHS and free up GP time, as fit notes are currently issued more than 11 million times a year.
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting, said: “No-one should have to choose between a job they love and their health.
“WorkWell’s national expansion shows this government is modernising a system that has written people off for too long.
“We’re issuing millions of fit notes a year dismissing people as simply ‘not fit for work’.”
Streeting added: “By combining health support with employment support in local communities, WorkWell can give people back their confidence, their purpose and their wellbeing.
“Crucially, it also eases pressure on GPs and cuts waiting lists so we can build an NHS fit for the future.”
REACTION:
Chris Luck, CEO at Shaw Trust:
“We’ve seen first-hand the difference WorkWell can make in our work supporting over 5,700 people in North West and North Central London, as part of the initial pilot programme.
“Key to its success is meeting people where they are – they can access support in person, over the phone, via video call or even in their local café.
“It joins up work and health support, with employment coaches working closely with mental and physical health professionals, to make sure people get the help they need.
“All of this makes it really easy for people to access the right support, at the right time, to help them find the job that’s right for them.
“We welcome the expansion of the service to support people nationwide, and look forward to seeing its future impact.”
Matthew Taylor, CEO of the NHS Confederation:
“The national rollout of the government’s new health and employment support programme, WorkWell, across every ICB is welcome news.
“Health leaders know all too well that good work and good health are two sides of the same coin, and supporting people to stay in or return to work is an important step in helping to reverse the rates of health-related economic inactivity in England and in turn reducing pressure on the NHS as well as the economy.
“We know that through the NHS Work and Health Network – NHS Confederation – a joint government and NHS Confederation initiative – progress is being made to strengthen the health service’s role in tackling economic inactivity.
“The national WorkWell programme will further help systems to build on this momentum and deliver on the government’s 10-year health plan commitment for every ICB to establish outcome targets to reduce economic inactivity.”
