Thinking about work

Before you decide to go back to work you should research the subject fully.

Questions you might ask yourself include:

  • Where do you want to work?
  • What sort of work do you want to do?
  • What support will you need?
  • What is your financial situation and how might that change?
  • Where can I get help in job seeking?

Getting some help anwering these questions

You can get help in answering these and other work related questions by contacting your local Job Centre or Jobcentre Plus. They now have a scheme called 'New Deal' for getting people back into work and one specific department is dedicated to people with disabilities.

If you choose to join New Deal for Disabled People, you'll continue to get the same
benefits as you got before. Then, if you find work, your Job Broker will advise you about the different in-work benefits available. This could include the new Tax Credits, to make sure you're better off in work.

In practice the people you will deal with (known as 'brokers') who will guide you
around jobseeking may not have any experience of mental illness which means you may have to make them aware of how your illness affects you and what problems you expect in the workplace, so it is important to think about this before you approach them. To find out more, call the New Deal for Disabled People on 0800 137 177 or look at the website www.newdeal.gov.uk.

Some Job Centres also now have Disability Employment Advisors (DEAs) who can give you advice and information. They will probably have more understanding of your situation than the generic Personal Advisors at Job centres. Ask at your Job Centre if you can speak to the Disability Employment Advisor.