WorkWell in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland
WorkWell is a support service that addresses the rising flow of people out of work. It is backed by the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department of Health and Social Care, and aims nationally to support around 60,000 long-term sick or disabled people to start, stay, and succeed in work through integrated work and health support.
We know that work and health are inextricably linked. Being in work raises living standards and pulls people out of poverty, and a prolonged absence from work can lead to a deterioration in health and wellbeing, both due to financial strains and the absence of positive psychological and social support.
The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) programme is one of 15 national vanguards. WorkWell services are expected to start from winter 2024 – please check back on this webpage when the service is up and running and we can tell you how best to refer into the service.
WorkWell focuses on early intervention and support, offering participants an expert assessment of their health-related barriers to work along with a tailored plan to address these, and will serve as a pathway to other local services to help people get the support they need.
The service will be available to anyone with a disability or health condition who:
- Needs support to remain in work
- Needs support managing a condition in order to return to work from sickness absence; or
- Needs support to start work.
Dedicated work and health coaches will be able to provide:
- An initial assessment of barriers to employment
- Return-to-work/thrive-in-work planning, with clear objectives that address physical, psychological and social needs
- Employer liaison. If the participant consents, the employer can be contacted to share the work plan and provide advice
- Advice on workplace adjustments
- Personalised work and health support with follow-up as required, including ongoing support in the form of locally determined, low intensity appointments to take stock of progress and recommend further actions and activities.
When the service is launched, individuals can be referred to WorkWell through their employer, local services within their area, primary care providers such as GPs, Jobcentre Plus and themselves through self-referral.
Further information on the national WorkWell programme.
