Work
Many people find work a fulfilling and worthwhile use of their time and skills. You may have given up work due to mental illness and now feel ready to get back, either in a full-time or part-time capacity, or you may just be looking for something to do with your time and the ability to earn your own money and respect.
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 position and how could that change?
- Where can I get help in job seeking?
- Should I tell my prospective employer about my mental illness?
You can get help in answering these and other work related questions by contacting your local Jobcentre Plus .
If you are claiming certain incapacity related benefits such as Employment and Support Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Income Support (on the grounds of incapacity) or Severe Disablement Allowance you could contact your local Disability Employment Adviser based at your local JobCentre Plus office.
A Disability Employment Adviser could suggest a number of different schemes to help you get back to work. Some of them are only available in certain areas of the country.
Pathways to Work
Pathways to work is an individually tailored programme to help you back into work if you are receiving incapacity benefits. There is no pressure to apply for jobs. The personal adviser will talk to you about possible job opportunities, discuss the skills you already have and in some cases put you forward for a Condition Management Programme where you can gain skills which enable you to better understand and manage your health condition. There is no pressure to get a job, however your benefit could be reduced if you don't attend the interview without good reason. More information about Pathways to Work can be found on the Government website
Work Preparation
This is an individually tailored programme to help you prepare for getting back into work. The Disability Employment Adviser will help you identify suitable work, gain work experience and learn new skills. Again, more information can be found on the Government website
New Deal for Disabled People
In some areas JobCentre Plus have a scheme called 'New Deal' for getting people back into work. In practice the people you will deal with (known as 'brokers') who will guide you around job seeking 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. For more information on New Deal for Disabled people check the Government website
