Launch of new guidance
for occupational therapy staff on delivering effective vocational advice
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
News Release (2007/0342) issued by The Government News Network on 30
November 2007
Care Services
Minister Ivan Lewis today welcomed the publication of Work
Matters: Vocational Navigation for Occupational Therapy Staff.
This good practice booklet is designed to help occupational
therapy staff recognise the importance of work as an integral part
of an individual's recovery, provides information on how to
assist patients to take charge of their own return to work and on
establishing effective partnerships with other service providers.
The booklet is being launched at the annual conference of the
College of Occupational Therapists (COT) specialist work section,
being held in Manchester today, and copies are being sent to all
29,000 members of the British Association of Occupational
Therapists. It is intended that an electronic web based version
will also be made available for any health professional wanting to
improve their ability to provide vocational advice to patients.
Minster Ivan Lewis said:
"The positive links between health, work and well being are
now well understood, yet people with a health condition or
disability continue to have lower employment outcomes than the
rest of the population. This is a particular problem for
individuals with mental health problems, especially those with
more severe conditions. However, we know that most want to work
and enjoy the personal, social and financial benefits having a job brings."
"Unemployment is a major factor causing social exclusion and
poor mental health. A key aim of the modernisation of care
services for people of working age is to ensure all health
professionals recognise the importance of discussing work with
patients and are able to help them access the support they need to
retain a job or return to work. That is why we are working with
key partners to equip staff with the knowledge and skills they need."
"We continue to encourage, and work with, professional
bodies to look at the training and other materials available on
vocational advice and support. I welcome the publication of Work
Matters. It is an example of good partnership working, and this
innovative piece of work will improve the ability of occupational
therapy staff to deliver appropriate vocational advice and
signposting to patients."
Work Matters has been jointly developed by the National Social
Inclusion Programme and the COT. The booklet draws on latest
evidence on how to engage with people about their work
capabilities and encouraging them to take appropriate steps for
achieving a return to employment.
Notes for Editors:
1. People with mental health problems face social exclusion
throughout their life and the Social Exclusion Unit report: Mental
Health and Social Exclusion, (2004), showed that people with
mental health problems had fewer life chances, including earlier
mortality, and faced greater hardship and prejudice than other groups.
2. People with mental health problems have the highest
unemployment rate of any disabled group, with over one million who
want to work currently jobless.
3. The average employment rate for the UK working age population
is 74%, which compares to 47% for all people with a disability,
21% of people with long-term mental illness in work and only 12%
for people with severe mental health problems (2006 figures).
4. Over 20 government departments and agencies have been working
together with the National Social Inclusion Programme (NSIP) to
implement the SEU's report's 27 sets of cross-cutting
action points. As well as leading on this work NSIP is supporting
an integrated approach to mental health social inclusion policy at
the national, regional and local levels.
5. The College of Occupational Therapists (COT) is the
professional body for occupational therapy staff with 29,000
members. It represents the profession nationally and
internationally and contributes widely to policy throughout the
UK, setting professional and educational standards and providing
leadership and guidance on practice, education, research and
lifelong learning.