The Individual Placement Support (IPS) Program: An Evidenced-Based Employment Service for People with Mental Illness
Tracks
Room - Stanley A
| Friday, November 10, 2023 |
| 11:45 AM - 12:15 PM |
Overview
Stephanie Lagoutaris, Allianz Australia
Speaker
Ms Stephanie Lagoutaris
Injury Prevention Manager
Allianz
The Individual Placement Support (Ips) Program: an Evidenced-based Employment Service for People with Mental Illness
Abstract
Within rural settings, the impacts of unemployment and the barriers to re-employment can be significant, impacting health and wellbeing experiences for individuals, families, and communities. These challenges are further exacerbated for individuals experiencing mental health conditions.
Allianz has adopted the Individual Placement Support Model (IPS) to provide an evidence-based approach, supporting people with mental health conditions (whether primary or secondary) into competitive employment.
IPS is the leading, evidenced-based employment model for people with mental illness.
Evidence for the IPS model continues to expand with international adaptations and pilots. Despite diverse sociocultural, employment and economic conditions IPS has proved positive results in medium to long term employment sustainability across 19 developed countries1, with particular relevance for vulnerable and rural communities.1
In Australia, an IPS program delivered by a large Australian non‐government organization achieved the following high-level outcomes:
• 97 participants engaged
• 49.5% (48 participants) gained a competitive employment position
• 63.9% (62 participants) achieved a vocationally relevant outcome of employment, education, work-trial or voluntary work.2
Individual Placement Support (IPS) is an intensive, collaborative intervention enabling individuals with mental health conditions to engage in healthy productive employment.
The IPS model integrates vocational support, clinical intervention and practical tools, focusing on individual functional needs. The model aligns with eight core Practice Principles.
1. Focus on competitive employment
2. Participant choice
3. Integration of recovery services
4. Attention to preferences
5. Personalised benefits counselling
6. Rapid job search
7. Systematic job development
8. Time-unlimited individualised support
Allianz’s presentation will explore; the IPS evidence base, the eight core principles and the relevance of IPS for rural communities.
1. Bond, G. R., Lockett, H., & Van Weeghel, J. (2020). International growth of individual placement and support. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 9–11. https://doi.org/10.1017/S2045796020000955
2. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal May 2019 – WorkWell
Allianz has adopted the Individual Placement Support Model (IPS) to provide an evidence-based approach, supporting people with mental health conditions (whether primary or secondary) into competitive employment.
IPS is the leading, evidenced-based employment model for people with mental illness.
Evidence for the IPS model continues to expand with international adaptations and pilots. Despite diverse sociocultural, employment and economic conditions IPS has proved positive results in medium to long term employment sustainability across 19 developed countries1, with particular relevance for vulnerable and rural communities.1
In Australia, an IPS program delivered by a large Australian non‐government organization achieved the following high-level outcomes:
• 97 participants engaged
• 49.5% (48 participants) gained a competitive employment position
• 63.9% (62 participants) achieved a vocationally relevant outcome of employment, education, work-trial or voluntary work.2
Individual Placement Support (IPS) is an intensive, collaborative intervention enabling individuals with mental health conditions to engage in healthy productive employment.
The IPS model integrates vocational support, clinical intervention and practical tools, focusing on individual functional needs. The model aligns with eight core Practice Principles.
1. Focus on competitive employment
2. Participant choice
3. Integration of recovery services
4. Attention to preferences
5. Personalised benefits counselling
6. Rapid job search
7. Systematic job development
8. Time-unlimited individualised support
Allianz’s presentation will explore; the IPS evidence base, the eight core principles and the relevance of IPS for rural communities.
1. Bond, G. R., Lockett, H., & Van Weeghel, J. (2020). International growth of individual placement and support. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 9–11. https://doi.org/10.1017/S2045796020000955
2. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal May 2019 – WorkWell
Biography
Stephanie Lagoutaris is the Injury Prevention Manager in the NSW workers’ compensation business at Allianz Australia. Steph is a passionate workers’ compensation professional that has more than a decade of experience in a variety of roles across rehabilitation, insurance operations and client management. Steph holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology (Hon) and a Master of Organisational Psychology.
Steph’s education and experience offer a unique perspective when solving complex personal injury challenges, like mental injury and customer vulnerability. Steph is highly motivated to find innovative customer-centred solutions.
