Westminster Service

The Westminster Works Solutions Service aims to provide supported information, advice and guidance to assist people with stress related and/or mental health difficulties to retain their current employment.

We provide you with an individually tailored, holistic support service enabling you to retain your employment or to look at alternative employment or retraining.

We aim to:

• support you in retaining your current job
• offer advice and guidance to employers about reasonable adjustments
• provide emotional support and advocacy where necessary
• offer advice about relevant legislation
• offer vocational and career guidance and assessments leading to an individual action plan
• provide skills, training, and resources for all aspects of job search
• work in partnership with employers to promote the employment potential of people who have mental health needs.

The project is ordinarily available to individuals who:

• are Westminster residents or those registered with a Westminster GP
• are aged 18 and over
• are committed and motivated to gain or retain employment
• have a stress related and/or mental health condition.

Days/hours of operation

• Usually operate in usual office hours 9-5
• In addition the service will operate to suit the need of the client.

Referral criteria

• People who are in employment and who need support to sustain and return to their job following a period of sickness
• People who are in employment but wish to explore the opportunity to change to a more suitable job or role
• People returning to work from a period of sickness leave due to a common mental health illness
• People returning to work after a substantial period of absence from the employment market.

Referral route

• Self referral which will include open access, telephone and appointments via letter or email
• Employer and GP referral will be by telephone and initial assessment details will be taken in order to establish eligibility
• Referral routes from the clinical service will be included as part of the care pathway package for both services.

Response time

• Referrals will be responded to within 3 working days
• Comprehensive assessments will be carried out within 7 working days
• Priority will be given to people who are at imminent risk of losing either their employment or their health benefits.