Last month, the Department for Work and Pensions and Department of Health and Social Care announced the launch of ‘WorkWell’ pilots, part of the Government’s £2.5 billion ‘Back to Work Plan’ aimed at providing support for people with long-term health conditions, disabilities, and long-term unemployment in their local area, so they can stay in work or return to work.
The new £64 million scheme will be rolled out from October 2024 in 15 areas in England and comes following the Prime Minister’s announcement of changes to the welfare system to help thousands of people stay in work or return to work by connecting them to local support services. The new pilot will tackle inactivity and will also provide a review of fit notes with the aim of relieving pressure on GPs and delivering personalised health plans that prevent people from falling onto long-term sickness benefits.
Some of the areas that will pilot the scheme have the highest numbers of fit notes issued to working-age people, including Greater Manchester and the Black Country, where according to the Department for Work and Pensions, a combined total of over one million fit notes were signed off last year.
The WorkWell pilot will provide a single, joined-up assessment and gateway into both employment support and health services locally, including physiotherapy and counselling. It will allow people to manage their health conditions and identify workplace adjustments or support that would enable them to stay in work or return sooner. Participants do not need to be claiming any Government benefits and will receive personalised support to help them understand their current health and overcome any social barriers. Participation will be voluntary, and individuals will be able to self-refer. However, GPs, employers or community services will also be able to refer people to the service.
Evidence shows that work is an effective way to improve wellbeing. It can reduce the risk of depression, improve physical health, and build self-confidence and financial independence.
Our Director and Head of HR, Chris Nagel, comments:
“Ambitious for sure and there’s no doubt something needs to be done about sickness absence in the UK. The effectiveness of this scheme, however, will depend on factors such as the level of employer commitment, whether the various support agencies have the resources to cope with demand and how well coordinated they are. But nothing ventured, nothing gained, I suppose!”
If you’re an employer and need further advice about anything in this article, contact us on 01942 727200 or email enquiries@employeemanagement.co.uk and speak to a member of the team without obligation.