A SERVICE which in the past year has helped more than 400 people with mental illness get back into work, is set to expand.

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) has employment specialists who supported 441 people in getting back to work after recovering from their illness.

A further 361 people who were experiencing difficulties to do with their employment were supported to resolve the issues and stay at work by EPUT staff.

The employment specialists are within community teams who provide evidence based support to anyone who wants help to find work.

The employment specialists work in partnership with the charities Employ-Ability and Walking With The Wounded.

Raza Ahmed, vocational services manager at EPUT, said: “Helping people to get into work or stay at work has a tremendously positive impact on their recovery.

"We follow a model of service delivery called Individual, Placement and Support (IPS) which is universally regarded as the most effective way to deliver employment support in mental health settings.

"We also help people already in work, if there are problems to do with their job that is having a negative impact on their mental health.”

Mr Ahmed added the service was in the process of expanding thank to a successful recent bid for funds from NHS England.

The extra funding will be used to employ more staff so more people can be helped to find work.

He said: "We are in the process of expanding this highly successful, highly valued and in demand service.

"We are also utilising our experience and expertise to help our neighbouring counties to establish high quality employment support services.”

EPUT also has another service called Heads Up, which is funded by the Big Lottery Fund and European Social Fund.

This service supports people who do not need any clinical input from the trust but still need help to find work.

The service is staffed by Peer Support Workers, people who have ‘lived experience’ of mental health challenges and unemployment.