Employability & Health (Awareness Session) Co-facilitated by: Maggie Vooght Anne McGuire Working Health Services Employer & Partnership Manager NHS Ayrshire & Arran Department for Work & Pensions

Welcome Introduction ‘Housekeeping’ Ground Rules

Introductions Please briefly state: Your name Role Experience of Employability/Work Issues Reason for attending session

Aims WHY – should anyone talk about work & health? WHAT – information could be given? WHO – should do it? WHEN – is the ‘right’ time to talk about it? HOW – is the best way to do it?

Outcomes An awareness of the important links between work and health Increased confidence and ability to discuss work/employability Awareness of the potential barriers facing clients seeking employment/return to work and how they may be overcome Access to information about appropriate support and services

WHY ? (should anyone talk about work & health) BACKGROUND DEFINITIONS EVIDENCE / RESEARCH EFFECTS OF WORK (OR LACK OF) ON HEALTH

“I'll count my health my greatest wealth, Sae lang as I'll enjoy it: I'll fear nae scant, I'll bode nae want, As lang's I get employment” Robert Burns “Here’s To Thy Health” 1780

What Is Work? “Applying physical or mental effort using knowledge and skills with a purpose to accomplish or achieve something”. Work Can Be: Full-time Part-time Voluntary Permitted Work Temporary / Permanent

What is Employability? “Employability encompasses all the things that enable people to increase their chances of getting a job, staying in, and progressing further in work”. (Workforce Plus; Scottish Government Employability Framework 2006) Progressing Towards Employment : Training Education Work Placements Work Experience Voluntary Work

Evidence Base Is work good for your health and well-being? Waddell & Burton 2006 Health Works - The Scottish Govt Health At Work- an independent review of sickness absence - Frost & Black 2011 The Scottish Govt. Response to the review 2012 Fitness for Work: the UK Govt. response to the review 2013

Worklessness and Health Evidence shows that (long-term) unemployment is associated with: poorer general health, somatic complaints, long-standing illness, limiting longstanding illness poorer mental health; more psychological distress; minor psychological/psychiatric morbidity, suicide higher medical consultation, medication consumption and hospital admission rate (Waddell G, Burton AK. Is work good for your health and well-being?, 2006)

Long-Term Unemployment Equals the health risk of smoking 10 Packs of cigarettes per DAY (Ross -1995) After 6 months on health benefit - 80% chance of being off work for 5 years (Waddell and Burton 2006) After 2 years on health benefit - more likely to retire or die. (The Scottish Government)

The Working Day Sleep Work Leisure

The Non-Working Day Sleep ? ? ?

WHAT ? (information could be given) PATHWAYS JIGSAW – SERVICES AVAILABLE

Categories 1.OUT OF WORK 2.EMPLOYED - BUT OFF SICK 3.EMPLOYED - AT WORK BUT STRUGGLING

Employability Pathway An employability pathway describes the process and services that might be required to get clients from initial engagement to sustainable employment.

Response Universal Credit The Work Programme Work Choice Work Capability Assessment WORK Access to Work Independent Review of Sickness Absence Fit Note Early Intervention Services (Pilot)

Access To Work Additional support for those whose health or disability affects their job Advice to individuals and employers Contributes to additional costs employers would not normally be expected to meet, by up to 100% Must be in work or about to start a job or work trial Covers: Special aids and equipment Adaptations to premises and equipment Support workers Travel to work and within work Communication support at interview

Fit Note

WHO ? ? WHOSE ROLE IS IT TO HAVE BRIEF CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WORK?

addictions team administrator nursing assistant dietician human resources team health promotion staff health visitor physiotherapist social worker school nurse charge nurse clerical officer psychologist consultant mental health worker pharmacist support worker learning disability worker podiatrist volunteer podiatrist community food worker business development manager district nurse GP administration assistant occupational therapist cashier clinical lead income adviser information officer young carers worker receptionist project worker ward manager criminal justice officer

WHEN ? (IS THE ‘RIGHT’ TIME TO TALK ABOUT WORK) SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE JUST THE JOB!

HOW ? (is the best way to do it) THE SITUATION INFORMS THE CONVERSATION: 1.OUT OF WORK 2.EMPLOYED - OFF SICK 3.EMPLOYED - AT WORK, BUT STRUGGLING

HOW ? (to talk about work) Just have a conversation!! Know more about how to deal with someone’s answers Gather information about appropriate referral/signpost options Gain confidence (by being better informed about services & background)

Conclusions? Work is vitally important to the health of individuals. To realise an individual’s potential for work they may need the support of different services or organisations. We have to accept that some individuals will never be able to work, but should be offered the opportunity and support to progress and improve their quality of life.

Contacts: Maggie Vooght Anne McGuire – Employability & Health