Promoting a Positive Employment Culture (PPEC)
Supporting people with severe mental illness and psychosis into employment
This £300k Maudsley Charity project aims to increase awareness of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) and strengthen referrals to employment services across SLaM. Maudsley Learning (ML), in partnership with South London and Maudsley NHS Trust (SLaM), will lead the delivery and management of this project, working alongside IPS Team Leads, Borough Directors and Clinical Leads across all four SLaM boroughs.
Why are we undertaking this project?
To improve employment opportunities for people with severe mental illness and psychosis by embedding a positive employment culture within SLaM and strengthening referral pathways into IPS.
How do we intend to make a change?
• Conducting extensive surveys (200) and focus groups (80) across the four IPS boroughs.
• Developing training scenarios and Virtual Reality (VR) training programmes.
• Identifying and supporting IPS VR Champions.
• Disseminating e-learning, Train-the-Trainer (TTT) manuals, and face-to-face VR training.
• Monitoring progress and evaluating outcomes.
When will these changes take place?
Phase 1 – Planning: January to August 2025
Phase 2 – Data Collection & Analysis: September 2025 to January 2026
Phase 3 – VR Development: February to August 2026
Phase 4 – Pilot & Formal Training: August to December 2026
Phase 5 – Evaluation & Final Report: January to July 2027
Who is involved?
This project is being delivered by Maudsley Learning in partnership with South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. IPS Leads, Borough Directors, and Clinical Leads will play a vital role in implementation
Employment Support at SLaM
Individual Placement and Support (IPS) teams help people with severe mental illness or psychosis to find and keep employment.
They provide tailored support in partnership with NHS services and local employers, focusing on recovery and long-term stability.
Employment Teams
Work Well includes nine employment teams based across the Trust. Details of each team, including how to make a referral, are listed below. ⤵
Work Well Management
| Name | Role | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Funke Adesemoye | Trust Work Well Lead | funke.adesemoye@slam.nhs.uk |
| Jack Ives | Communications and Engagement Officer | jack.ives@slam.nhs.uk |
Croydon — Employment Teams
| Team | Who we support | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Croydon IPS Team | People receiving support from a secondary care treatment team | Team Leader: Michael Hudson IPSCroydon@slam.nhs.uk |
| Croydon Talking Therapies Employment Team | People receiving support from Croydon Talking Therapies | Team Leader: Lorna Carter workwellcroydonteam@slam.nhs.uk |
| CORE (Croydon Opportunities Reablement and Engagement) Service | Click here to see who we can support | Team Leader: Tina Arul coreservice@slam.nhs.uk |
Lambeth — Employment Teams
| Team | Who we support | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Lambeth IPS Team (Thames Reach) | People receiving support from a secondary care treatment team | Team Leader: Sherwan Chowdhury sherwan.chowdhury@slam.nhs.uk |
| Lambeth Talking Therapies Employment Team (Status Employment) | People receiving support from Lambeth Talking Therapies | Employment Team Leader: Max Steinhoefel max.steinhoefel@slam.nhs.uk |
Lewisham — Employment Teams
| Team | Who we support | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Lewisham IPS Team | People receiving support from a secondary care treatment team | Team Leader: Emma Jarnell emma.jarnell@slam.nhs.uk |
| Lewisham Talking Therapies Employment Team | People receiving support from Lewisham Talking Therapies | Team Leader: Maria Clifford lewishamIAPTEW@slam.nhs.uk |
| Lewisham Primary Care Employment Team | People receiving support from a primary care mental health team | WorkWell@slam.nhs.uk |
Southwark — Employment Teams
| Team | Who we support | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Southwark IPS Team | People receiving support from a secondary care treatment team | Team Leader: Holly Brearley IPSSouthwark@slam.nhs.uk |
| Talking Therapies Southwark Employment Team | People receiving support from Talking Therapies Southwark | Team Leader: Catherine Di Lella catherine.dilella@slam.nhs.uk |
Resources, Downloads & Related Links
- VR Champion Recruitment Flyer
- VR Champion Poster
- Service User Flyer
- Email Banner for IPS Leads
- WorkWell Webpage
Next Steps
The inaugural Steering Group will be convened in the coming month to align communications, marketing and engagement strategies with SLaM Communications and Executive Leads.