Service details

How we can help

We can help you if your mental health is contributing to you being unable to work or to find work. 

We specialise in:

• Job retention to help you if you are in paid employment and need support to retain or maintain your job
• Individual placement and support (IPS) to help you find paid employment of any number of hours.

If you are looking purely to do voluntary work or to learn new skills, we can signpost you to local providers.

Individual Placement and Support
Workways follows an evidence-based model called Individual Placement and Support (IPS)

The IPS service is open to people who are receiving support from a Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) or Specialist Team for Early Psychosis (STEP). We cover the whole of Devon (excluding Plymouth). 

 What does support look like practically?

 Your Employment Specialist can assist you with:

• Creating and tailoring a CV
• Looking at employment options that match skills and interests
• Job searching
• Job applications
• Interview preparation and practice
• Sharing information about your mental health with the employer (if you wish to do this)
• Supporting employer discussions (if you want us to)
• Staying well in work (in work support)
• Obtaining benefit advice

Job Retention
Workways has a Job Retention team which supports employed people experiencing mental health disruption to retain their job, find an alternative job, or leave their job as smoothly as possible.

Who the service supports
People who are currently employed and experiencing mental health difficulties that affect their work.

People who live in Exeter, East Devon or Mid Devon.

You can access the service if you

• are already supported by Devon Partnership NHS Trust, or
• you have spoken to their GP about their mental health
• Self‑referrals are accepted.

What the Job Retention team offers
A full assessment giving the opportunity to

• Identify your employment needs
• Explore how your mental health is impacting your work
• Help to decide what support would be most useful
• Short‑term advice and guidance
• Practical support around work‑related issues
• Help understanding your options and next steps.

Support involving employers
(Following discussions with your caseworker and if the employer is willing to engage.)

• Contacting employers to support both you and them
• Attending Occupational Health appointments with you
• Attending employment‑related meetings with you.
• Help to oversee reasonable adjustments
• Supporting a phased return to work
• Helping you complete an employment WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan), which can be shared with your employer if you choose.

Please note - The Job Retention team are not able to provide job coaching - but they can signpost you to organisations that do.

If you are in a union, the team will work collaboratively with your representative.

The Job Retention team have general knowledge of employment law but cannot advise on specific legal cases. Signposting to organisations that can assist will be provided.