Published on: 20 January 2025
A team of NHS employment specialists and Peer support workers trained at finding jobs for people who have accessed mental health services in Derbyshire, has received a glowing review from the national body that oversees it, following a two-day inspection.
The Work Your Way team, part of Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, was awarded a national quality mark by the organisation IPS Grow as a result of a recent ‘fidelity review’ involving two days of observations and meetings.
Work Your Way is the Trust’s individual placement and support (IPS) service, and it helps people to find the right job that suits their ambitions, talents and needs, to encourage them to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. In the last five years, the team has helped 650 people to return to employment.
The fidelity review measures areas of good practice, including:
- Positive team culture
- Good communication
- Good employment support
- Focus on continuous learning and collaboration.
Work Your Way has received some positive feedback about the support that has been offered. Comments include:
- “During our sessions my employment specialist encouraged me to look for suitable roles, helped me to complete application forms, helped to rebuild my confidence which made me want to work again.”
- “I am happy with the excellent and professional service on offer and would recommend it to other prospective clients.”
- “I felt much more confident approaching applications and interviews as the job market has changed considerably since I was last looking for permanent roles over 20 years ago.”
After the two days of observations and meetings, the team was given a score of 110 out of 125, which is an improvement of 10 points on the previous year and close to being the best score possible.
Vikki Ashton Taylor, Deputy Chief Executive/Chief Delivery Officer at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The Work Your Way team should be extremely proud of what they have achieved. The team work exceptionally hard to support those accessing community mental health services, helping them to find work and stay in work.
“Congratulations to the team on this national recognition for all their efforts, helping those who have accessed our services to find a job that aligns with their skillset, aspirations and capabilities.”
Samantha Parr, Individual Placement Support manager at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It is great to hear that the Work Your Way team have been recognised for their fantastic achievement.
“The review recognises the team’s diligence in supporting people, their quality of work and also their dedication to one another. The team prides itself on finding jobs that are a good fit for both the employee and the employer, and for being there every step of the way during the journey – from application, to interview, to getting settled in.”
Anyone wishing to find out more about the Work Your Way employment service should visit the website www.workyourway.net