Programmes and services adopting the individual placement and support (IPS) approach have been operating in New Zealand for some time.
Research and experience show us that implementation support and technical assistance really helps in integrating employment and mental health services. It also improves programme reach and outcomes and importantly for many people, encourages the role of employment as a health intervention.
IPS employment support national steering group
As part of a commitment to support the development of high-quality IPS programmes in New Zealand and internationally as part of the learning community, New Zealand has established an IPS employment support national steering group. This group provides oversight and information-sharing in relation to IPS development and implementation across the country.
Representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Development, job seekers and their family/whānau, NGOs, district health boards and Work Counts currently make up the group.
Where is IPS offered in New Zealand?
Work Counts has been working with the IPS employment support national steering group to have an oversight of IPS employment support coverage by district health board (DHB).
View the updated map (PDF) which shows current availability of IPS employment support integrated with secondary mental health and addiction services.
It’s also a helpful resource to see which IPS employment support providers are working in each region.
Latest news
Spirit of collaboration to support people’s wellbeing in Counties Manukau
Employment support is seen as one of the greatest unmet needs within mental health and addiction services.
Enabling access to IPS employment support in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2022 and beyond
While access to IPS employment support in New Zealand is increasing, nearly half of current health regions still have no access to IPS. It is concerning that many people are missing out on evidence-based mental health and addiction employment support services .
IPS employment support scale-up is happening but access remains the issue
Integrated employment support in mental health and addiction services is growing but equity of access is the transformational shift that is needed.
