The scheme provides personalised help for those struggling with physical or mental health issues, connecting them with services such as physiotherapy, counselling, workplace adjustments, and return-to-work plans
Thousands suffering from health conditions are poised to receive assistance to remain in or return to employment through the expansion of a groundbreaking DWP programme. Up to 250,000 people will obtain support to stay in or return to work through the initiative being deployed nationwide across England.
The WorkWell service, a health-and-employment support programme, will now be accessible throughout England, after a successful trial that aided more than 25,000 people. The initiative offers tailored assistance for those battling physical or mental health challenges, linking them with services including physiotherapy, counselling, workplace modifications, and back-to-work strategies.
Pat McFadden, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, 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 scheme represents part of the government’s Plan for Change, aimed at dismantling barriers to opportunity, enhancing living standards, and promoting economic growth. Up to £259 million has been earmarked over the next three years to finance the expansion.
WorkWell has been created as an early-intervention, health-focused service that works alongside local NHS, council and community services to stop people leaving employment due to health problems or to help them get back to work swiftly if they become unemployed. Approximately 48% of pilot participants cited mental illness as their primary obstacle to employment, whilst 59% were jobless at their initial 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 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.”
Participants don’t need to be receiving benefits and will get tailored guidance from a Work and Health Coach to evaluate their health and social obstacles to employment. Routes to access include employer or GP referrals, Jobcentre Plus, local services or self-referral, establishing a “no wrong door” approach.
Services differ locally and may include physiotherapy for mobility difficulties, mental health support like counselling, workplace adjustment recommendations and ongoing condition management. Sadie, a WorkWell participant, said: “I was under a lot of stress from work and wasn’t feeling supported in managing my work-life balance. I went to my doctors, as I wanted to be proactive rather than going off sick and they recommended the WorkWell 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 government’s new health and employment support programme, WorkWell, across every ICB is welcome news. 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.”
The rollout arrives during continuing difficulties in the UK jobs market, with 2.8 million people unemployed due to long-term illness – the highest figure in the G7 – and 11 million sick notes issued annually. WorkWell seeks to step in early, providing people with the assistance they require before health problems push them out of work, whilst simultaneously reducing pressure on stretched GP services.
