Thousands with health situations are set to get help to keep in or return to work under the growth of a pioneering DWP programme.
Up to 250,000 people will obtain support to keep in or return to work under the scheme that is being rolled out across England.
The WorkNicely service, a health-and-employment support initiative, will now be out there across England, following a profitable pilot that assisted more than 25,000 people.
The scheme gives personalised help for those struggling with bodily or mental health points, connecting them with companies such as physiotherapy, counselling, office changes, and return-to-work plans.
Pat McFadden, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: “Too usually, people with health situations are signed off sick without the support they need to keep 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 programme forms part of the government’s Plan for Change, designed to break down barriers to opportunity, boost living standards, and support economic growth. Up to £259 million has been allocated over the next three years to fund the expansion.
WorkWell is designed as an early-intervention, health-led service that integrates with local NHS, council, and community services to prevent people from leaving work due to health issues or to help them return quickly if they fall out of employment.
Around 48% of pilot participants reported mental illness as their main barrier to employment, while 59% were out of work at their first appointment.
Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, 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.
“By combining health support with employment support in native communities, WorkNicely can give people back their confidence, their function and their wellbeing. Crucially, it also eases stress on GPs and cuts ready lists so we can construct an NHS match for the future.”
Participants do not need to be claiming advantages and will obtain personalised steerage from a Work and Health Coach to assess their health and social limitations to employment. Access routes embody employer or GP referrals, Jobcentre Plus, native companies, or self-referral, creating a “no wrong door” method.
Services differ regionally and can embody physiotherapy for mobility points, mental health support such as counselling, office adjustment advice, and ongoing situation management.
Sadie, a WorkNicely participant, said: “I was under a lot of stress from work and wasn’t feeling supported in managing my work-life steadiness. I went to my medical doctors, as I wished to be proactive rather than going off sick and they advisable the WorkNicely programme.
“It really helped me to have the consistency of someone to speak to and have someone push me in the right direction. I’m still with my employer, I’m focusing on my health, I’ve got so much more work-life balance, and it started with WorkWell’s support being in my corner.”
Chris Luck, Chief Executive of Shaw Trust, which helped deliver the pilot, said: “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.”
Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation, said: “The national rollout of the authorities’s new health and employment support programme, WorkNicely, across every ICB is welcome information. Supporting people to keep in or return to work is an important step in serving to to reverse the charges of health-related financial inactivity in England, and in flip decreasing stress on the NHS as nicely as the financial system.”
The rollout comes amid ongoing challenges in the UK labour market, with 2.8 million people out of work due to long-term illness – the highest determine in the G7 – and 11 million match notes issued every 12 months.
WorkNicely goals to intervene early, giving people the support they need before health points drive them out of employment, while also easing demand on overstretched GP companies.
Source hyperlink
