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<p>The Secretary of State regularly meets with the Secretary of State for Health and
Social Care to discuss health and employment support.</p><p> </p><p>In recognition
of the important link between work and health, including mental health, in 2015 we
created the joint Department for Work and Pensions and Department for Health and Social
Care Work and Health Unit (WHU). This brings the two departments together to pilot
new ways of joining up the health and employment systems. The WHU delivers a programme
of trials, initiatives and policy development to support disabled people and people
with health conditions to remain in and return to work, and to support health and
wellbeing in the workplace.</p><p> </p><p>One of the largest initiatives of the joint
WHU is providing additional Employment Advisors (EAs) in NHS Increasing Access to
Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Services. This provides combined psychological treatment
and employment support to help clients receiving IAPT treatment for depression and
anxiety to remain in, get back to, or find work, including those impacted by changes
to the labour market resulting from COVID-19. This initiative is currently running
in 40% of Clinical Commissioning Groups in England, including the Coventry and Warwickshire
CCG.</p><p> </p><p>Large scale trials in the West Midlands and Sheffield City Region
have been testing the internationally-recognised Individual Placement and Support
approach to employment support in a health setting for people with common mental health
and/or physical health conditions.</p><p> </p><p>Nationally, DWP has developed and
implemented mental health guidance and training for its frontline staff across the
nation. To support vulnerable customers, DWP has created a national network of senior
leaders who will liaise locally with authorities who have safeguarding responsibilities
to identify individuals who may need extra support. National employment programmes,
including the Work and Health Programme and the Intensive Personalised Employment
Support Programme, provide specialist employment support to individuals. The Access
to Work Mental Health Service also provides a package of tailored support and advice
for up to nine months and can provide coping strategies, a step-by-step support plan,
advice on adjustments and support for employers to enable them to fully understand
the person’s condition.</p>
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