Greater Manchester to take part in £64 million work and health pilot

Greater Manchester is among 15 areas in England to benefit from a new £64 million pilot of the WorkWell work and health support service.

The WorkWell pilots – launched by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) – will connect 59,000 people from October to local support services including physiotherapy and counselling to provide tailored support for people out of work due to ill-health to return to employment.

#The scheme is being launched initially in areas with above-average levels of numbers of people out of work due to ill-health, such as Greater Manchester where GPs issued over 750,000 fit notes in 2023, and will cover a third of Integrated Care Boards across England to inform a future national roll-out.

The service provides a single, joined-up assessment and gateway into both employment support and health services locally to help people manage their conditions and to identify workplace adjustments or support that would enable them to stay in work or return sooner.  

Through the scheme, participants will receive personalised support from a Work and Health Coach to understand their current health and social barriers to work and draw up a plan to help them overcome them.

Work and Pensions Secretary, Mel Stride MP, said:

“Too many today are falling out of work in a spiral of sickness that harms their finances, their prospects and ultimately their health, where with the right workplace adjustments and help, this needn’t be the case.

“And so we have designed WorkWell, a groundbreaking new service, that will for the first time integrate health and work advice at the local level, as part of our plan to stem the flow into economic inactivity, grow the economy, and change lives for the better.“

Health and Social Care Secretary, Victoria Atkins MP, said:

“We have a plan to change that and improve lives so everyone has the opportunity to find fulfilling work. This service will help tens of thousands of people, who will receive joined-up work and health support, tailored to their individual needs.“

WorkWell is for anyone with a health condition or disability, including mental health conditions, who wants to work. It is a voluntary service, so people will be able to self-refer, or may be referred to WorkWell through their GP, employer or the community sector. Participants do not need to be claiming any Government benefits to qualify.

These professionals will also provide advice on workplace adjustments, such as flexible working or adaptive technology, facilitate conversations with employers on health needs, and provide access to local services such as physiotherapy, employment advice and counselling.