Learn 2 Earn: Optimistic ExpIoration of VocationaI

Opportunities for Young PeopIe with Psychosis.

By Fiona WiIkinson, PauI Fitchett and HeIena Edwards.
Introduction
Just 7.3% of those with severe and enduring mental health problems are in employment, the lowest rate of all disability groups (Centre for Mental Health, 2013).
Early ntervention in Psychosis Services (ES) provide youth-focused, client-centred, evidence-based approaches in the critical early phase of psychosis to improve life chances (The NHS
Confederation, 2011).
Early ntervention Services have been shown to benefit individuals by improving employment and educational outcomes (Department of Health, 2011).
Gaining and maintaining employment is critical to recovery and quality of life and such interventions should be informed by evidence based practice, including Occupational Therapy (RS,
2012).
'Learn 2 Earn' builds on the 'Working to Work' course, developed by Community Occupational Therapists Jo Wiltshire, Marina King and Gill Bell in 2007.
Aims of Learn 2 Earn
n September 2013 the Occupational Therapists (OTs) within
the ES ran an 8 week course for clients, called 'Learn 2 Earn',
at Bournemouth college.
The course aimed:
To offer hope and address perceived barriers to work.
To encourage participants to explore opportunities for
work/learning.
To build confidence.
To develop skills needed for work/learning.
To encourage peer support.
'The course helped me to understand how to get back into
work and have a positive outlook on life, whilst having
a psychotic illness.'
Outcomes
The course had six regular participants.
Group outcomes demonstrated:
ncreased motivation.
Greater confidence.
Peer support.
ndividual outcomes included:
Four participants applying for college courses.
Two people starting voluntary work.
One person starting a BCHA carpentry course and
seeking careers advice.
All six individuals stated that they would recommend the
course to a family member or friend.
ConcIusions
The course was successful in moving participants
forward with their vocational aspirations. Peer
support and a youth-focused approach appeared
to be effective factors in this success.
deas for further research include identifying the
specific factors of the course which were
successful in relation to vocational outcomes and
following up participants after a year to look at
longer term outcomes.
The ES plans to run another course in the spring.
References
Centre for Mental Health (2013), Briefing 47:
Barriers to Employment, London: Centre for
Mental Health.
The NHS Confederation, (2011) Briefing 219 Early
Intervention in Psychosis Services, London: The
NHS Confederation.
Department of Health (2011), No Health Without
Mental Health: A Cross-Government Mental
Health Outcomes Strategy for People of All Ages,
London: Department of Health.
RS (2012), IRIS Guidelines Update. RS
nitiative Ltd: www.irisinitiative.org.uk
Factors in the success of Learn 2 Earn
Service users valued meeting with other young people in
a college environment.
Some service users were further along their recovery
journey, meaning they took a lead in discussions and
provided a positive role model for less confident members
of the group.
As some participants made steps towards volunteering or
applying for college, this appeared to provide a motivating
factor for others within the group.
The OTs saw all but one of the clients in a care
co-ordinator role outside group sessions.
Contact:
fiona.wilkinson@dhuft.nhs.uk
paulfitchett@dhuft.nhs.uk
helenaedwards@dhuft.nhs.uk
Course content
Sessions explored topics such as establishing work routines
and habits, routes to employment, and developing skills for
interviews and work. This was achieved through group
discussions and activities.
The course included presentations by external speakers
including:
Education providers who explained the application procedure,
financial help and specific support available for those with
mental health issues.
A JobCentrePlus Adviser who was able to discuss and
navigate specific issues around work and benefits.
Third Sector vocational schemes providing training and
supported work.
An ex-ES service user who told his story about successfully
finding work.
An illustration by one of the course participants,
completed on an art course he is now undertaking.
'The talk by the Disability Employment Adviser helped me to
understand the rules around working while am receiving
benefits.'
'Attending the course encouraged me to finally
get around to applying for a course.'