The IPS (Individual Placement and Support) Development Project implements a content-related and functional reform of the services rehabilitating to working life referred to in the National Mental Health Strategy. The IPS model promotes entry, return and staying in the labor market of persons with mental health disorders. The development project includes support for the implementation of the model and an evaluation study.

What is IPS job coaching?

In IPS job coaching, the client is supported by the client's own psychiatric care provider in addition to the IPS specialist. With the help of an IPS specialist, the client finds a job that matches the client's skills, resources and interests. At the same time, it responds to employers' recruitment needs by offering a skilled and motivated workforce. The goal is to find employment in the open labour market in a salaried employment relationship.

Objectives of the Development Project

The IPS Development Project supports the implementation and establishment of the IPS operating model in the psychiatric services of the wellbeing services counties. The evaluation study produces information on the applicability of the operating model to Finnish society and its effectiveness.

In the psychiatric services of the wellbeing services counties, a mutually supportive service process will be built from employment support and psychiatric care and rehabilitation services. The aim is to promote the employment of people with mental health disorders, as well as their well-being and inclusion. The project will also increase and strengthen the competence of professionals.

Implementation

In 2025–2027, the IPS Development Project will carry out its third project period as part of the National Health and Wellbeing Programme of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. In the first project period 2000–2023, the activities were funded as part of the implementation of the National Mental Health Strategy. In the second project period 2023–2024, the activities were part of the Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland (RRP).

• National Health and Wellbeing Programme (Terveydeksi) 
• National Mental Health Strategy 2020–2030
• Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland (RRP)

Regional projects

1st project period 2020-2023:

• Joint municipal authority for social and health services in North Karelia, Siun sote
• City of Helsinki Social Services and Health Care Division
• HUS Psychiatry and Uusimaa TE Office
• The Hospital District of South Ostrobothnia  
• Lapland Hospital District  

 2nd project period 2023-2024:

• Wellbeing services county of Central Finland 
• Well­being ser­vi­ces coun­ty of Central Ostrobothnia Soite
• Wellbeing services county of Southwest Finland
• Wellbeing services county of Northern Savonia
• Well­being ser­vi­ces coun­ty of Ostrobothnia
• Well­being ser­vi­ces coun­ty of Kai­nuu

3rd project period 2025-2027:

• (The names of the wellbeing services counties will be added once the funding decisions have been made.)

Contact information

Helka Raivio (on leave of absence until September 11, 2025)
Project Manager
tel. +358 (0)29 524 7183
[email protected]

Minna Ahola
Senior Planning Officer
tel. +358 (0)29 524 7983
[email protected]

Kaija Appelqvist-Schmidlechner
Research Manager
tel. +358 (0)29 524 7275
[email protected]

Noora Sipilä
Researcher
tel. +358 (0)29 524 7929
[email protected]