IPS – Individual placement and support development project

The individual placement and support (IPS) 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 project supports the implementation, expansion and establishment of IPS job coaching model in the psychiatric services of the wellbeing services counties. The evaluation study produces information on the applicability of the IPS model to Finnish society and its effectiveness.

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) is part of the IPS European Learning Community.
IPS European Learning Community (IPS Grow)

Goals

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.

The evaluation study produces information on the implementation, feasibility, and effectiveness of the IPS model. Long-term register monitoring produces information on the effectiveness of IPS job coaching on employment, the use of mental health services, and earned income and benefits.

Implementation

The regional projects of the IPS Development Project will model the practices by which the IPS service will be integrated into the psychiatric care and rehabilitation of the wellbeing services counties. IPS job coaching is piloted in client work in psychiatric working groups. In addition to modelling, the regions plan to anchor the activities in the organizational structures.

The success of the implementation of the IPS model, employment outcomes and changes in the psychosocial well-being of clients will be examined through an evaluation study. The long-term effectiveness of IPS job coaching is investigated through register monitoring.

In 2025–2027, the project will carry out its third project period as part of the National Health and Wellbeing Programme (Terveydeksi). 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).

Funding

Partners

1st project period 2020–2023:

Joint municipal authority for social and health services in North Karelia, Siun sote
City of Helsinki Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Services
HUS Psychiatry and Uusimaa TE Office
The Hospital District of South Ostrobothnia
Lapland Hospital District

2nd project period 2023–2024: