Work ability programme
The focus of the work ability programme was on strengthening the existing work ability and functioning, and promoting employment.
Aims
The programme measures aimed at:
- enhancing the preconditions for the employment of unemployed persons with partial work ability, their work ability and functioning, and their social inclusion
- creating a multidisciplinary service package that identifies work ability support needs among unemployed persons with partial work ability, and involves providing services and service paths in a customer-oriented manner
- developing the competence of professionals to ensure that they are familiar with the service package for work ability and know how to use it for the client’s benefit
- producing information for harmonising the services and benefits of unemployed persons with partial work ability, and supporting the development of legislation.
Sets of measures
The sets of measures of this programme included:
- Integrating work ability support into the social and health centres of the future
- Increasing the use of supported employment mechanisms for people with difficulties to find and stay in work (e.g. long-term unemployed, people with disabilities).
- Strengthening the work ability competence of professionals and specialists.
- Launching an evaluation study on the impact of interventions completed in projects, and the coordination of services and benefits.
The work ability programme utilized the work and results of previous development programmes (such as Career opportunities for people with partial work ability project, or the OTE key project).
The programme integrated support for work ability and employment into the existing and future social welfare and health care service system. The work ability programme was strongly linked with the social security reform. The social security reform aims at a clearer and more functional system that enables the reconciliation of work and social security in changing life situations.
Future Health and Social Services Centres programme
Social security reform
Implementation
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health funds the Work ability programme used by municipalities and joint municipal authorities to implement development projects. The projects develop work ability support as part of the future social welfare and health centre, and increase the use of the methods of supported employment in promoting the employment of social welfare clients.
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) was responsible for the practical implementation of the Work ability programme. The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (TTL) was responsible for modelling and strengthening competence related to supporting work ability competence of the professionals such as medical staff and social workers. THL and TTL supported projects and also participated in national preparatory and evaluation work.
THL and TTL carried out the evaluation study of the Work ability programme in cooperation with the projects. THL planned and implemented communications and supported stakeholder cooperation with TTL. THL coordinated project communications and produced reports on the communications to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.
Contact information
Jarno Karjalainen
Project Manager
Service package for integrating work ability support into the social and health centres of the future
tel. +358 29 524 7181
email: [email protected]
Leena Normia-Ahlsten
Project Manager
Development programme for supported employment
tel. +358 29 524 8025
email: [email protected]
