A programme delivered by GC is celebrating a ‘Good’ Fidelity rating, less than a year after launching.
Commissioned by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Working Well: Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care (WWIPSPC) aims to help Greater Manchester residents with physical or mental health disabilities into sustained employment – or provide them with support to stay in or return to their current job.
The initiative is one of only three IPS programmes to receive a ‘Good’ rating following the review conducted by IPS Grow in December 2024.
The review recognised the programme’s dedicated team of Employment Advisors for their ability to support people into sustainable employment and ‘impressive’ employment conversion rates for a service of this age.
WWIPSPC follows the “place, train, and maintain” model. This means prioritising flexible one-to-one support for individual participants, from guidance on how to write a CV and apply for jobs to bespoke career advice and follow-up assistance once paid work has been secured or resumed. It also involves direct and ongoing engagement with employers to produce the best possible results.
Since becoming fully operational in late 2023, over 1,700 people have registered to receive tailored employment support, 800 of whom have successfully gained a new job or received help to stay in their current role.
One participant commented:
“[The advisor] did all sorts; interview techniques, put me in touch for clothes for interviews - I couldn't have asked for more, it has really built my confidence, I am so thankful."
Alex Howley, Operations Director at GC said:
“We are incredibly proud to receive a ‘Good’ rating in our Fidelity review - a testament to the dedication and hard work of our wonderful IPSPC team.
“Our Employment Advisors collaborate closely with clinical partners to break down barriers to employment while prioritising the health and wellbeing of our participants. It’s fantastic to see their commitment recognised this early in the programme’s delivery and we look forward to building on our success so far.”