Mindful Employment Practice

Resource List

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Mindful Employment Practice promotes good practice on the recruitment and retention of people with mental health issues. The purpose of this resource list is to provide employers with good quality information on legislative requirements, good practice models and further sources of advice and information.

CONTENTS

Employment of People with Mental Health Problems in the NHS
and other Public Sector Organisations  2

Reducing Stress & Promoting Mental Health at Work  7

Job Retention  11

Organisations & Networks  13

This list has been compiled by experts in the field of good practice in employing and retaining people with mental health problems including:

Dr Bob Grove               Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health (SCMH)

Helen Lockett               SCMH

Joss Hardisty               South West London & St George’s NHS Trust

Lynn Jackson              Kent & Medway NHS Social Care and Partnership Trust

Mary Tidyman              Independent Consultant (formerly of Mentality)

Michelle Valentine       Disability Rights Commission

Patience Seebohm     Independent consultant (formerly of SCMH)

Richard Frost               MINDFUL EMPLOYER/National Institute for Mental

Health England (NIMHE)

Roger Butterworth       Healthy Minds at Work/Independent consultant

Simon Francis              National Social Inclusion Programme

Stephany Carolan        Care Services Improvement Partnership

This list can also be found on the following websites:

Disability Rights Commission                 www.drc-gb.org

MINDFUL EMPLOYER^® www.mindfulemployer.net

Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health       www.scmh.org.uk

Employment of People with Mental Health Problems in the NHS and other Public Sector Organisations

LEGISLATION & GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE

The 1995 Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) (amended 2005)

Part 2 of the DDA requires employers not to directly discriminate against disabled people, to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people, not to practice disability related discrimination, and to protect disabled people from harassment in the field of employment. For detals of the legislative requirements, go to the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) website at www.drc-gb.org.

Especially important for public sector employers, such as NHS trusts, was the introduction in December 2006 of a Disability Equality Duty, which will require public authorities to:

• Promote equality of opportunity between disabled persons and other persons
• Eliminate discrimination that is unlawful under the Act
• Eliminate harassment of disabled persons that is related to their disabilities
• Promote positive attitudes to disabled persons
• Encourage participation by disabled persons in public life
• Take steps to take account of disabled persons’ disabilities, even where that involves treating disabled persons more favourably than other persons.

With the involvement of disabled people, every public service was required to draw up and publish a Disability Equality Scheme by December 2006. This involved identifying how they will gather and analyse evidence on their actions and track progress. They were required to set out how they will assess the impact of their activities on disabled people and to produce an action plan for the next three years, report on their progress and revise it at least every three years. The DRC will have the power to issue compliance notices where the public authority fails to comply.

This duty should encourage public authority employers to take more proactive action on the employment of people with mental health problems, who at present experience a high degree of discrimination with regard to access to employment. For more information on this, visit www.drc-gb.org in particular pages relating to the work of the Mental Health Action Group. To go directly to the Disability Equality Duty, see www.dotheduty.org.

Statutory Codes of Practice on ‘The Duty to Promote Disability Equality’

The DRC has drawn up statutory Codes of Practice (one for England and Wales, another for Scotland). These can be downloaded, together with further information on the legislation and its implementation, from www.drc-gb.org and also visit www.dotheduty.org.

Vocational Services for People with Severe Mental Health Problems: Commissioning Guidance (CSIP, 2006)

The commissioning objectives issued by Dept for Work & Pensions (DWP) & Dept of Health (DH) are to implement the ‘Individual Placement and Support’[1] approach to employment support within vocational services and to work towards access to an employment advisor for everyone with severe mental health problems.  Services need to be based around the needs of the individual, in both secondary and primary services and job retention has a high priority.

The five key elements to a comprehensive service include clinical employment leads and employment specialists integrated within every clinical team, public services as exemplary employers and local partnerships across public, voluntary and independent sectors.

The commissioning framework sets out the requirements for the NHS, local authority, voluntary and independent sectors as ‘Exemplary Employers’:

• An employment specialist should be integrated into human resources (HR) or with outreach to HR and occupational health (OH).
• There should be one whole time equivalent staff member per National Service Framework Local Implementation Team or per NHS Primary Care Trust (PCT).
• They should link to clinical teams, day services, Jobcentre Plus, HR and OH across public services.
• An employment specialist should manage vocational caseloads of up to 25 people at any one time.
• Performance indicators should include increasing the number of people being supported in paid employment in mental health trusts, PCTs, local authorities and other public services.
• Public services employment policies should reflect commitment to employ service users.

Available from: www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4131059

Choosing Health: Making Healthy Choices Easier (DH, 2004)

This, the government’s public health White Paper, sets out in Chapter 7 the role of the NHS as an exemplar employer, widening the workforce and improving working lives for all: “We believe that the NHS can and will become an exemplar for public and private sector employers… To achieve this, NHS organisations will need to give careful consideration to a range of factors, including:

• The expansion of staff required to boost capacity in public health and healthcare interventions.
• The expected productivity benefits from skill-mix and role re-design;
• Taking steps to support good health in a high-quality workforce representative of the population it serves.”

Available from: www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/Browsable/DH_4097491

Mental Health and Employment in the NHS (DH, 2002)

This provides guidance on the role of occupational health in recruitment and retention to facilitate the contribution of people with personal experience of mental health problems to the NHS workforce: “It is proposed that the NHS should take a lead, not only in caring for its present and future employees, but also in valuing diversity and in promoting good practice in the employment of people who have experienced or are experiencing mental health problems.”

Available from: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4008361 .

INFORMATION, ADVICE & PUBLICATIONS

South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust:

Information about their User Employment Programme is available from the trust’s Vocational Services’ Annual Reports (free by e-mail; a small charge for hard copies) and at free open days. Reports and information about open days are available from: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , User Employment Programme, Springfield University Hospital, 61 Glenburnie Road, London SW17 7DJ          0208 682 6308

Leading by Example: Making the NHS a Good Corporate Citizen and Exemplar Employer of People with Mental Health Problems

A practical guide by Patience Seebohm and Dr Bob Grove to support the recruitment and retention of people with mental health issues in the NHS workforce, based on the personal experiences of those who have already made progress on these issues. Produced by Disability Rights Commission and Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health, the book is available free online or hard copy for purchase from www.scmh.org.uk  

MINDFUL EMPLOYER (see Organisations and Networks section, page 13) 

Briefing papers from Employer’s Forum on Disability

EFD’s publications are intended for HR, OH, recruitment and training specialists and line managers. They include briefing papers designed to make it easier for employers both to comply with the DDA and to adopt best practice. Many cover legislation and policy, with impairment specific advice set out in Employment adjustments for people with mental health problems. Publications can be purchased from www.employers-forum.co.uk or telephone: 020 7403 3020.

Managing for Mental Health: The Mind Employers’ Resource Pack.

For employers who want to ensure best practice in mental health promotion at work. It includes sections on where to get help, employment policies and background information on mental illness. Available from Mind Publications,  020 8519 2122, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or order online www.mind.org.uk.

The way to work: A guide to benefits and tax credits for mental health professionals (2005, updates to be available).

Helps professionals advise their clients on how they can take up work. Available from Disability Alliance, 020 7247 8776 www.disabilityalliance.org.  

New Thinking about Mental Health and Employment edited by Grove, B., Secker, J. & Seebohm, P. (2005) Radcliffe Publishing: Oxford

This draws together the research undertaken to date on mental health and employment and combines it with mental health service users’ perspectives on the workplace to validate key points.  

A survivor’s guide to working in mental health services (Mind, 2000)

Addresses the difficulties and challenges facing user-workers and lists professional schemes and sources of support. Available from Mind Publications,  020 8519 2122, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or order online www.mind.org.uk.

Life in the Day

Life in the Day is a journal on mental health and social inclusion.  Pavilion Publishing (Brighton) Ltd, The Ironworks, Cheapside, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 4GD  0870 161 3505   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Examples of relevant articles include:

What sort of ‘support’ in employment? Perkins, R.E., Evenson, E., Lucas, S. & Harding, E.. (2001) Life in the Day: 5, (1) 6-13.

Implementing a user employment programme in a mental health trust – lessons learned. Rinaldi, M., Perkins, R., Hardisty, J., Harding, E., Taylor, A. & Brown, S. (2004) A Life in the Day 8, (4), 9-14.

Employer Attitudes to Vocational Rehabilitation – DWP research report

This research sought to establish awareness of, attitudes towards and approaches to vocational rehabilitation (VR) amongst a sample of key stakeholders, including representatives of rehabilitation providers; insurance companies supplying employers’ liability, motor, income protection and personal injury/accident insurance; and a cross-section of employers from the very large through to micro employers employing less than 10 employees. The researchers also spoke to academics, some of whom were working in a range of disciplines including pain management, spinal injury/trauma, and representatives of support bodies and associations with an interest in VR.

Available from: www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/rports2003-2004/rport224/Main.pdf

Reducing Stress & Promoting Mental Health at Work 

LEGISLATION & GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE

Health, Work and Wellbeing – Caring for our Future: A Strategy for the Health and Well-being of Working Age People (DWP/DH/HSE, 2005)

This sets out a strategy to improve workplace health in England, by encouraging employers to improve occupational health support, training for healthcare professionals and addressing barriers to work.

This joint publication is available from: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4121756

Health and Safety Legislation

All employers have duties under the following:

• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (1999), to assess the risk of stress-related ill health arising from work activities.
• The Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), to take measures to control that risk.

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) expects employers to carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment for stress in their workplace, and to tackle any problems that are identified. The HSE Stress Management Standards were issued in 2004 to help this process (see Information and Advice below).   

Improving Working Lives

A national programme of accreditation for all NHS organisations, first introduced as part of the NHS Plan (DH, 2000) which set benchmarks for organisations to create a more flexible working environment which promoted staff welfare and development. By 2006, almost all NHS trusts have achieved the third and dinal stage of accreditation (Practice Plus). For further information and related programmes which carry the agenda forward beyond Practice Plus, please refer to the NHS Employers website at www.nhsemployers.org – click on ‘Employer Excellence’ from the menu bar on the homepage and go to Improving Working Lives.

INFORMATION, ADVICE & PUBLICATIONS

HEALTHY MINDS AT WORK (HMAW)

Healthy Minds at Work is a unique programme designed to compliment Employer in-house job retention processes.  It offers employers help with retaining staff who are suffering from stress, anxiety or depression particularly where action already taken has not resolved the matter at hand.

HMAW is supported by the European Social Fund EQUAL programme, and administered by the Welsh Assembly Government European Funding Office.  HMAW offers assistance to individuals and employers; which include:

• Self-help awareness for employees
• Free baseline training for employers
• Advice on risk assessment for stress at work
• Access to rehabilitation and retention services
• Information on early intervention measures
• Suggestions for health promotion.
• Support via a contact centre
• Action and Desk Research

HMAW is based at the Wellbeing Centre, 9 Cefn Coed, Nantgarw, Rhondda Cynon Taff, South Wales. CF15 7QQ Tel: 01443 827 600. Information for both the individual and the employer at www.healthymindsatwork.org.uk and any queries can be directed to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

A confidential helpline is available:  0800 028 1514.  This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and provides telephone advice, guidance and a counselling service.

SignUp

The Healthy Workplace Initiative (HWI) is jointly sponsored by the Department of Health and the Health and Safety Executive. It encapsulates a new approach to the problems of health at work which aims to place health in the mainstream of business thinking and organisational development. Signupweb.net plays a central role in the initiative: it aims to be the one stop centre regarding workplace health, which aims to respond to any query. www.signupweb.net

MINDFUL EMPLOYER (see Organisations and Networks section, page 13)

Workplace Health Connect

In partnership with HSE, Workplace Health Connect offers free and impartial on health at work, particularly aimed at small and medium enterprises. 0845 609 6006. 

Stress Management standards (HSE, 2004)

These standards are not law, but they provide a process whereby employers can meet their legal duties. They set out clear, agreed standards of good management practice to prevent work-related stress – a set of conditions that reflect high levels of health, well being and organisational performance. The advice provided enables employers to identify the gap between current performance in their organisation and these standards of good practice. The advice then helps employers to develop their own solutions to close this gap. The management standards do not replace the HSE guidance pack, Real Solutions, Real People (see below). It provides further practical information, advice and tools on how to assess and deal with work related stress in the organisation. Available from www.hse.gov.uk/stress/standards. 

Real Solutions, Real People: A Manager’s Guide to Tackling Work-Related Stress (HSE, 2003)

The guidance contains examples of clear, practical measures which provide a starting point for the workforce to agree how to tackle the findings of a stress risk assessment. The pack includes an introduction on how to use it, learning points, prompt cards, and an action plan to record and monitor what needs to be done. It therefore provides a tool to help managers and staff develop solutions to tackle work-related stress that are specifically relevant to their organisation. It encourages them to tailor their energy to the particular needs identified by risk assessment. Order through www.hse.gov.uk/stress/information.htm

Working Minds Toolkit & Line Manager’s Resource

These two publications, originally published by mind out for mental health, are available in pdf format at www.mindfulemployer.net

Stress and mental health in the workplace (Robertson, 2005).

This report draws together existing research into stress and individual case studies, to identify stress, its effect, and how the problem can be addressed in easily introduced steps. Available free online or hard copies can be purchased from Mind Publications,  020 8519 2122, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or order online www.mind.org.uk.

A Toolkit for Mental Health Promotion in the Workplace (Mentality, 2002)

This aims to provide a framework to enable employers to develop a mental health promotion policy in the workplace. The Toolkit makes the case for investment, information on what works and some practical examples of ways forward. Available from www.scmh.org.uk  

Workplace Interventions for People with Common Mental Health Problems: A Review of the Scientific Evidence on the Management of Common Mental Health Problems At Work (2005) by Seymour, L. & Grove, B. for British Occupational Health Research Foundation (BOHRF).

A review of current research evidence on how to reduce absence from work due to common mental health problems. Available from www.bohrf.org.uk  

Mental Health in the Workplace: Tackling the effects of stress (1999)

Mental Health Foundation  Available from: www.mhf.org.uk

Job Retention

LEGISLATION & GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE

Vocational Services for People with Severe Mental Health Problems: Commissioning Guidance (CSIP, 2006).

This guidance (see above, page 3) includes job retention of service users as a priority for mental health services, a concern for both in-patient and community services. It identifies the employment specialists as the initial source of help for people in work.  

Choosing Health – Making Healthy Choices Easier (DH, 2004).

This recognises the importance of an early return to work after ill-health to promote recovery.  (see above, page 4)

‘Action on Stigma – Promoting Mental Health – Ending Discrimination at Work’ SHIFT and Department of Health

Launched in October 2006 this employer-focussed initiative aims to tackle stigma and discrimination in the workplace and offers principles for employers to put in to practice. For more information visit www.shift.org.uk  

INFORMATION, ADVICE & PUBLICATIONS

MINDFUL EMPLOYER (see Organisations and Networks section, page 13) 

Roger Butterworth, Independent Consultant

Roger and colleagues who were involved in the job retention pilot in Avon and West Wiltshire above are now sharing their learning through two day training programmes across the UK. Many participants from these training sessions now meet regularly to share their experiences and update their skills at Network meetings. For more information, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (see Organisations and Networks below)

KMG Health Partners Ltd

Currently working with other partners in a major initiative in Wales – ‘Healthy Minds at Work’- is delivering packages of training to employers and accredited training in Job Retention Case Management. This activity builds on the training developed by Roger Butterworth & Dave Costello and is linked to the work being undertaken by the Vocational Rehabilitation Association to create national standards for vocational rehab. Working close with the Job Retention Network, over 200 people have received the initial 2 Day Training Course throughout the U.K. These ‘trainees’ are then supported and mentored through their regional networks. A diploma course in Job Retention Case Management will come on stream by autumn 2007. For further information contact: Gail Kovacs  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Securing Health Together www.ohstrategy.net 

This government strategy is designed to stop people at work becoming ill, and if they do, to get them back to work as soon as possible. The website provides links to information and support on occupational health, information about the strategy, and a ‘Best Practice’ database of projects – practical examples of what can be done.

Staying in Employment

Mind’s new booklet offers a guide to strategies to stay in work or, if that is not possible, to 'stay in the game' sufficiently to regain paid work when the time is right. More details at: www.mind.org.uk/Information/Booklets/index/Staying+in+employment.htm 

Getting Back before Christmas: Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership Trust Job Retention Pilot Evaluation (2003) Thomas, T. Secker, J. & Grove, B (unpublished) London: IAHSP, King’s College London. This study, funded by DH & DWP, evaluates a pilot job retention programme which adopts a case management approach.

Job Retention & Mental Health: A review of the literature (2002) Thomas, T. Secker, J. & Grove, B.  (Unpublished) London: Institute for Applied Health & Social Policy, King’s College London. This study, funded by DH & DWP, reviews the international literature on job retention.

Evaluation of the Employment Retention Project, Walsall (2005) Grove, B. & Seebohm, P. with Trinova. (Unpublished).

The above 3 studies are all available as pdf from www.scmh.org.uk

‘Vocational Rehabilitation: The Enable Employment Retention Scheme. A new approach.’ Robdale, N. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, October 2004, vol 67, no. 10

‘Stepping in early: A job retention scheme’ Robdale, N. A Life in the Day February 2005, vol 9, issue 1.

Organisations & Networks 

Disability Rights Commission (DRC) www.drc-gb.org Helpline 08457 622633.

The DRC is an independent body established in 2000 to stop discrimination and promote equality of opportunity for disabled people. Provides a range of services and information on disability issues, including legal support for test cases. It is actively supporting implementation of the Disability Equality Duty for the public sector (Disability Discrimination Act 2005). The DRC will be superseded by the new Commission for Equality and Human Rights in October 2007.         

Employers’ Forum on Disability www.employers-forum.co.uk 0207 403 3020

The Forum is a membership organisation for both the private and public sector which provides a range of services and acts as an authoritative employers’ voice on disability. They produce accessible, up to date publications on recruitment, management and retention issues (see section 1, Information and Advice)

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) www.hse.gov.uk 0845 345 0055 

The HSE is the statutory body responsible for ensuring health and safety in the workplace. It advises on health and safety legislation, has responsibility for inspection, enforcement and good practice. Many of its publications cover the policy and good practice issues of Mindful Employment Practice including Managing Sickness Absence in the Public Sector. A joint review by the Ministerial Task Force for Health, Safety and Productivity and the Cabinet Office

Workplace Health Connect 0845 609 6006. 

In partnership with HSE, Workplace Health Connect offers free and impartial on health at work, particularly aimed at small and medium enterprises.  

MINDFUL EMPLOYER^® www.mindfulemployer.net 01392 208833

An employer-led initiative which aims to increase awareness of mental health at work and provides ongoing support for employers who wish to improve their employment practices. It has a comprehensive website including resources for employers, online discussion forum, local contacts and a Charter for Employers who are Positive About Mental Health. The initiative is facilitated by WorkWAYS, a service of Devon Partnership NHS Trust and supported by the National Institute for Mental Health England (NIMHE). There is no cost in being involved in the MINDFUL EMPLOYER initiative, which is open to any employer, small, medium, large, public, private or voluntary sector, anywhere in the UK.

Jobcentre Plus

Accessed through Disability Employment Advisers (DEAs) at local Jobcentre Plus offices, Workstep, the supported employment programme and Access to Work provides sources of support to aid job retention (e.g. support workers). 

Job Retention Network

This network is divided into regional groups in England, Wales & Scotland. These forums have been established to offer advice, support and training for organisations wishing to develop mental health job retention services. Contact: Roger Butterworth (UK wide) 07727 676410  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Employmentlist:

An e-group for people interested in employment support for people with mental health problems and learning disability.

To join, go to: http://groups.google.co.uk/group/employmentlist/about

Employer Engagement Network:

Convened by the National Social Inclusion Programme at NIMHE/CSIP. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

Mental Health First Aid (Scotland)

The Scottish Executive's National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Well-being aims to raise awareness about the need for good mental health and well-being among the general public and help improve the quality of life and social inclusion of people who experience mental health problems.

www.healthscotland.org.uk/smhfa

National Social Inclusion Programme

The National Social Inclusion Programme (NSIP) was set up to deliver the 27 recommendations from the Social Exclusion and Mental Health report (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Social Exclusion Unit July 2004). In terms of the employment agenda, the programme is undertaking several pieces of work:

• employer engagement to share thinking and good practice on recruitment and retention of people with mental health problems,
• working with Employers Forum on Disability to test employer facing tools for intermediaries,
• working with a range of stakeholders to develop the mentally healthy workplace agenda.
• working with the HSE on the development of workplace health connect.

For more information visit www.socialinclusion.org.uk or contact the Social Inclusion Leads shown overleaf. The National Institute for Mental Health England (NIMHE), part of Care Services Improvement Partnership (CSIP) plays a key role in implementing the National Social Inclusion Programme. Split in to regions, each NIMHE Regional Development Centre (RDC) is shown below (correct at October 2006):

The resource list is copyright free and can be promoted and distributed by other organisations who wish to do so.

The list was last updated in August 2007 and will be revised again in February 2008.

For additional information on Mindful Employment Practice and if you have any corrections or additions to this Resource List please contact:

Richard Frost or Lynn Aggett, MINDFUL EMPLOYER, 01392 208833 or e-mail:       This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or

Bob Grove or Helen Lockett, Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health 020 7403 8790 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it