Building futures with individual placement and support in West Yorkshire

Unemployment and mental health challenges often go hand-in-hand, making it harder for many people to find and keep a job. Individual placement and support (IPS) addresses this by combining personalised employment support with mental health care, helping people regain independence and rebuild their lives.

WorkPlace Leeds uses the IPS model to help individuals with complex mental health needs access tailored, one-to-one support to find meaningful employment. IPS focuses on real, paid jobs that match each person’s goals, backed by national evidence demonstrating its effectiveness.

One example is Mehdi, who had been struggling with long-term unemployment and mental health challenges. Through IPS, Mehdi received personalised career planning, CV and interview support, mental health-informed guidance and help engaging with employers. He secured part-time work as a pizza chef while enrolling in a 16-week HGV training programme, building both confidence and professional skills.

Ethan Foster, Service Lead at WorkPlace Leeds (IPS Employment Support), said: “With IPS, we’re not just helping people find jobs - we’re helping them build futures they can be proud of.”

Mehdi’s journey highlights how employment and recovery can go hand-in-hand. IPS not only supports people into work but helps them maintain it, improve wellbeing and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

The Healthy Working Life programme, a joint initiative by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, is expanding IPS, aiming to strengthen our efforts to support people with mental health challenges into meaningful, sustainable employment.

For more information read Mehdi’s full story on the Healthy Working Life case study pages.