Local mental health team awarded centre of excellence

Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s (LPFT) Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Employment Service underwent an external fidelity review by the Centre for Mental Health and the result was that they retained the prestigious centre of excellence status.

The IPS Employment Service supports people with mental health problems to find and retain paid employment. Seven employment specialists are based in each of the Adult Community Mental Health Teams in Boston, Sleaford/Grantham, Lincoln North, Lincoln South, Gainsborough, Louth, Skegness and Stamford/Spalding.

The service is available to people who are being supported with their mental health in the community. The Community Mental Health Team make a referral to the IPS service if a service user expresses an interest in finding paid employment. The Employment Specialist then works with the individual to provide personalised support to help them find appropriate paid employment. This valuable support continues after an individual has gained paid employment, through liaising with the employer to ensure reasonable adjustments are made and that the person is supported in retaining their job.