Individual Placement and Support Practitioner Training

Clinical Integration

This course provides an overview of how employment specialists can work effectively as integrated members of mental health teams. It will give learners insight into the most common clinical integration problems and how to overcome them. The course covers:

• The principle of ‘zero exclusion’.
• Participating in multi-disciplinary team meetings.
• Professional disagreements and shared decision-making.
• Common barriers to clinical integration and how to overcome them.

Career Decision-Making

This course introduces learners to the concepts of career development and career decision-making. It will provide a framework for supporting individuals to make effective career decisions. The course covers:

• Competitive employment and rapid job search.
• Career decision-making models.
• Problems in career decision-making and how to overcome them.
• Developing an effective career profile.

Career Coaching

This course provides an introduction to basic career coaching models and techniques. It will give learners the opportunity to develop their coaching skills and increase their confidence in one-to-one situations. The course covers:

• The importance of screening, contracting and goal setting.
• Career coaching models and techniques.
• Cognitive-behavioural career coaching and motivational interviewing.
• Assertive engagement strategies.

Job Search Strategies

This course provides an overview of the most common methods of job search used in today’s job market. It will teach learners how to improve the success rate of their clients’ job applications. The course covers:

• LinkedIn profiles and social media.
• Developing a stand-out CV.
• Networking and ‘cold calling.
• Applications and interviews.

Barriers to Work

This course provides an introduction to some of the most common barriers to work for people with mental health conditions. It will teach learners how to identify barriers to work and develop effective solutions to overcome them. The course covers:

• Disclosure of mental health problems.
• Digital exclusion.
• Welfare benefit dependency.
• Psychological barriers to work.

Employer Engagement

This practical 2-day course provides an introduction to employer engagement and the systematic job development process. Learners will have the opportunity to speak to real employers and practice engagement techniques in a supportive environment. The course covers:

• The systematic job development process.
• Meeting with employers.
• Sharing job leads.
• Barriers to employer engagement.

Job Retention

This 2-day course provides an overview of job retention issues for people with mental health problems in the workplace. Learners will have the opportunity to develop their advocacy skills and understand the legal rights of their clients. The course covers:

Who is responsible for in-work support?

• The employer as a client.
• The Equality Act and reasonable adjustments.
• Dealing with problems at work.

Caseload Management

This course provides an overview of effective caseload management techniques. It will teach learners how to manage their time successfully to achieve outcomes for their clients. The course covers:

• Boundaries of the employment specialist role
• Time management and planning.
• Keeping track of your caseload.
• Dealing with demand-supply problems.

At the end of this course learners will be able to:

• Understand the evidence-based principles of Individual Placement and Support (IPS)
• Increase your skills and confidence in delivering a high-fidelity IPS service
• Improve personal performance and increase your level of client job outcomes
• Understand how to record and evidence your work for an IPS Fidelity Review

Course applicants from South London & Maudsley NHS Trust should contact maudsleylearning@slam.nhs.uk to book their place.