New measures announced to support workers with mental health conditions
Jim Knight, Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform, has announced that thousands of people with mental health problems will get extra support managing their condition to remain in the workplace. The measures include increasing the Access to Work fund from £69m to £138m over the next five years.
A raft of measures to support workers with mental health conditions so that they can remain in the workplace, has been announced by the Government. The initiatives include:
- The first ever National Strategy for Mental Health and Employment, to be published later this year, which will include the views of employers, healthcare professionals, organisations and individuals on how to improve well-being in the workplace.
- The ‘In work support’ pilot scheme will be extended, as early indications of the Government-led pilots, run in conjunction with mental health charity Mind, have shown a 90% success rate in helping people with fluctuating mental health conditions retain their jobs.
- An increase in the Access to Work fund from £69 million to £138 million over the next five years to provide practical advice and financial support to disabled people and their employers to help them overcome work-related obstacles resulting from disability.
- The introduction of a network of dedicated mental health experts across Jobcentre Plus who will work with colleagues in the health system to coordinate support for people with mental health conditions.
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