1. HSE Worklink North West TRAINING & SUPPORT SERVICE
Teresa Haughey (Service Manager)
Frances Ferry (Job Coach/Trainer)

2. County donegal Population (2016 Census) – 158,755 Area 4,861 Km²
Largest county in Ulster, 4th largest in ROI
Approx 6km border with ROI
Approx population breakdown:
19% living in larger towns x 3 (2,501 – 20,000 population)
14% living in towns (1,000 – 2,500 population)
67% living in rural areas
2nd most deprived area in ROI after Limerick City (2011 Census)

3. Our Mission statement
The HSE Worklink North West is committed to providing person-centred training and support for people in recovery from mental ill health, and enhancing quality of life.

4. HSE Worklink North West
Community based Mental Health Training and Support Service
Holistic and person-centred approach
Five Training Programmes in three
locations in County Donegal

5. Carndonagh
Worklink 
locations
Dungloe
Letterkenny

6. HSE Worklink North West Training Programmes
Active Life
Art Life
Social Link
Community Link
STEPs

7. Outcomes Full and Part-time employment Self Employment
Supported Employment
Progression to further training/education
Progression to Third Level education
Voluntary Work
Community Employment Schemes
QQI Certification
Independent Living
Improved Quality of Life

8. Target Group
Adults (18 years to 65 years) living in the community who have mental health needs
Referred to the service by GP or HSE Mental Health Team

9. Approach to supporting people with mental health needs into employment
Person – centred Plans
Encourage employment as an outcome
Over past 5 years 220 have used our service
32% in employment
33% in further education/training/3rd Level
Vocational Training Programme (STEPs)
Rehabilitative Training Programme (Active Life)

10. Approach to supporting people with mental health needs into employment
Through Person-centre plan they can identify how they will approach finding a job:
Support of Support Worker to find the job
CV updating / Job applications
Off-site Support
Identifying Reasonable accommodations/supports
Developing a career plan
Support work liaising with management and staff
Effects of employment on benefits
Advising employers re incentives for employing people with disabilities.

11. Links with Housing Providers
The Vision for Change ( )
Recommendation 4.7:
“The provision of social housing is the responsibility of the Local Authority. Mental Health services should work in liaison with Local Authorities to ensure housing is provided for people with mental health problems who require it.”
Guidance Paper – Addressing the Housing Needs of People using Mental Health Services (2012)
“...there is now an obligation on service delivery agencies, specifically the HSE and Local Authorities to work collaboratively on making appropriate and adequate provision for both the housing and mental health care needs of those who use mental health services and to ensure that supports are congruent with their rights as citizens, sufficient for their wellbeing and conducive to personal recovery.” (2012)

12. Links with community groups
Voluntary Housing Associations
North West Simon Community
STEER Social Housing
APEX
St Vincent de Paul
Local Authorities - Housing Officers
MABs

13. Community Link Programme
A 20-week programme facilitating independent living
Home management skills
Budgeting and managing personal finances
Cooking
Applying for rent allowance/Household benefits
Understanding rights / responsibilities as tenants

14. Challenges for our service users
Housing Needs:
Rent payments/Rent arrears
Rent increases – ability to assert rights
Housing conditions
Lack of housing available/Location
Eligibility for Rent allowance/HAP

15. Importance of providing support to people with mental health difficulties who could be viewed as being at risk of homelessness:

16. People with mental health difficulties have multiple needs:
Financial welfare
Employment
Housing
Criminal justice
Social integration
Emotional needs
Education

17. Person centred plan tool
Education
ETB
LYIT
Other
Emotional
Addiction
Counselling
Mental Health Teams GP
Relationships
Counselling
Mental Health Teams
Support Groups
Health
Criminal Justice
MABS
DSP/Community Welfare
Credit Union
Finance
Probation Services
Employment
Social/Community
DSP/INTREO
People First
Employment Response NW
Recruitment Agencies
Housing
Community Groups/Services
Leisure/ Recreational Groups
Voluntary Housing Authority
Local Housing Authority

18. Challenges that exist in trying to ensure that supports are integrated, particularly in a rural context:
Positives:
Being a HSE service we are recognised within the Donegal Mental Health services
Community-based and over the past 21 years we have developed good links and rapport with public services and local community groups and businesses.

19. Links with the Community
Community Centres
JIGSAW
Family Resource Centres
STEER
Probation Officers
Rural Transport
St Vincent de Paul
DLDC
ETB
Employers
North West Simon Community
DSP
LYIT
Citizens Information
Supported Employment Services
Men’s Shed
MABs
Community Welfare
GPs
Local Authority (Housing Officers)
Tusla
Domestic Violence Service
Mental health support groups – Aware, GROW, Mental Health Ireland
Women’s Centre

20. Recent Policies Vision for Change 2006-2016
A Framework for the Training and Employment of People with Mental Health Difficulties 2007,
The Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities ( ).

21. Challenges to Integrating Supports
Communication and sharing of information amongst services
Confidentiality
Attitudes and Culture
Stigma and Discrimination
Territorial
Application Process / Eligibility Criteria
Availability
Moving FAS Placement Officers to DSP
Accessibility

22. Possible areas for greater coordination and collaboration in supporting people with mental health difficulties include:
On a ground level - Local services inputting to a local directory of support services
HSE, DSP and Transport Authority to look at rural transport routes
HSE Mental Health Services, DSP to address the benefits trap for those with enduring mental health conditions
Collaboration between HSE Mental Health Services and DSP – Piloting Job Coaches as part of the Community Mental Health teams.
DSP, Local Authorities, Housing Support Services to collaborate to promote the Housing Assistance Project (HAP)

23. conclusion
There needs to be a shift in attitudes and thinking within organisations to make services more approachable and break down stigma barriers associated with mental health.
Person-centred plan tool assists integrating supports
To enhance communities we need to work together

24. HSE Worklink North West
Thank you for listening to our presentation if you require any further information
Contact Details:
Teresa Haughey (Service Manager)
Tel: