Case Study

Work, or the absence of it, plays a significant role in most people’s lives. Like a mental health pendulum, its pressures and demands can adversely affect us personally, just as anxieties and challenges at home can influence our ability to work effectively. When you're caught in this cycle, whatever its cause, it can be hard to see a way forward. That’s where Ingeus’ Employment Advisors in Talking Therapies service, available in Derbyshire and Newham, can help. 

 

Talking Therapies offers psychological NHS services to people who self-refer or visit their GP with mental health concerns. Where work factors are considered an integral part of supporting a person’s recovery, their Talking Therapies clinician can suggest help from Ingeus’ specialist employment advisors, freeing up their time to focus on therapy. Operational in Derbyshire since 2019 and Newham since 2024, more than 17,000 people have been referred for support to date. 

 

“We see a huge range of people, from those who have never worked before, to people earning six figure salaries struggling with their work-life balance,” explains Ingeus Service Manager, Ally Campbell. “There are people from all different industries, with a variety of work-related needs, but what’s consistent is the desire for change. They don’t want to be in the position they’re in, but don’t know what to do about it. 

 

“Common issues are confidence and trust, so we take time to get to know people, working alongside their Talking Therapy to understand where they’d like to be in life. There’s no strict employment process everyone follows. It’s about empowering clients with the information and self-assurance to make positive work changes.” 

 

The outcomes that Ally’s almost-40-strong-team work toward fall into three broad categories: helping people to retain their current employment; assisting those returning to work after a sickness absence; and supporting people into new employment. When right for the individual, the team can also help people move into self-employment or retirement or indeed leave workplaces to focus on their mental health. 

 

Ally explains the wide-ranging support provided:  
“Retaining someone’s employment but overcoming a current problem is common. They may have a new health diagnosis and need help discussing reasonable adjustments, like the flexibility to attend medical appointments. People going through disciplinary or grievance proceedings also want advice on what to expect of the process and possible outcomes. Our advisors will help clients find or create solutions and will give advice on how to discuss it sensibly with an employer. We can advocate at in-person meetings too; employers are often open to that as we all essentially want the same thing: for that person to stay in work and do well there. 

 

“Similarly, people taking sickness absence may need help talking to their employers about a phased return, or adjustments when they do. If they’re not yet ready for that, we can help with monetary guidance like debt management and budgeting. Occasionally, it’s a case of identifying a Plan B if their existing employment is no longer right for them.     

 

“A large percentage of our clients are looking for new jobs. They may be parents, carers, young people, older workers, people with health conditions… each with barriers they’re concerned about. They often feel limited in what they can do and fear the unknown, especially if they’re new to job searching. We take an asset based approach – mapping people’s skills against what they want to do, not just applying for vacancies that they don’t really want and probably won’t hear back from. We can then also help with very practical support from CV writing, job searching and interview guidance, to benefits advice, transport, and work clothing.  

 

“Our advisors have to be prepared for every eventuality – and are skilled in navigating them all. No two clients are the same, but with our varied backgrounds and own lived experience, the team has a wealth of knowledge and tips to share. We’re here to support both the recovery and sustained mental health of our clients – finding the right long term work solution, whatever it may be, is key to that.”