We support people with mental health needs who would like get a paid work or stay in their current job. We work closely with many different employers and other agencies such as JobCentre Plus.
Our teams are based across Somerset and we can help you:
- Find out what type of job would suit you
- Set realistic goals for returning to work
- Make paid work part of your plans for the future
- Look for work in your local area
- Prepare a CV, complete job application forms and prepare for job interviews
- Find positive ways to tell employers about your mental health needs by supporting you in your workplace with information and advice for your employer
- Link in with Jobcentre Plus and other support organisations.
Before going back to work, we can help you arrange an in-work benefit calculation so you have the information you need about the financial implications of getting a paid job.
If you are having difficulties at work, we can liaise with your employer to discuss your circumstances. We would get your permission to do this first and decide with you what information it would be helpful to share.
Options to help you keep your job include:
- Planning a successful return to work
- Looking at your work place and recommending ways to make it easier for you to do your job
- Support in your workplace
- Working with you and your line manager
- Supporting your employer to understand your mental health needs.
Once you are back at work, our support will help you settle into your working environment. When you are happy in your role, we will taper off our support over a period of time, in consultation with you.
How you can you access this service
You can get in touch with us through your community mental health team care co-ordinator or your in-patient key worker. If you would like to get a job or have a job but are worried about keeping it, speak to your care co-ordinator or key worker about a referral to our service.
If you are not involved with secondary mental health services, but need employment support as a result of mental health difficulties, other health condition or disability, you can self-refer to Remploy via their website www.remploy.co.uk or you can speak to your job coach at your local job centre.
We try to keep our waiting times to a minimum. If your job is at risk we aim to speak to you or meet you within two working days of receiving a referral for you. Waiting times for other forms of support vary from around two to six weeks depending on demand. We will meet you when and where you find it most comfortable and convenient, including out of hours.