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Individual Placement and Support (IPS)

At Change Grow Live we believe that anyone in recovery who wants help to find paid work should be able to via our Individual Placement and Support (IPS) services. 

What is Individual Placement and Support?

Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is a type of employment support that helps people in recovery find paid job opportunities that match their personal goals. There is strong evidence for the positive role of employment in recovery.

Once people have secured paid employment, our IPS teams will work with them and their employer to help them thrive in their new role. 

Most Change Grow Live services now have their own IPS team which is available to people who are already accessing support.  

Our IPS teams work alongside treatment staff to ensure that, for those who want it, employment support is part of their recovery plan.  

If you use Change Grow Live services and are interested in getting into paid employment as part of your recovery, then IPS could be for you.  

If you are an employer and are interesting in providing employment opportunities that will make a real difference in peoples lives IPS can offer you an entirely free service, by getting to know you and your business needs we will help you find great new employees and will support you to retain them.   

Please note that IPS is being rolled out to all treatment services but not every service currently has an IPS employment support team, so please check with your local service whether they offer this. You can do this here.  

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You can access IPS if: 

  • You’re currently accessing treatment via a Change Grow Live service 
  • You want to find paid work 
  • You’re 18-65 years old 
  • You’re legally eligible to work in the UK 

Supporting you to find paid employment

If finding or getting back to work is part of your recovery goal, we can help you find the right job for you.  

We can also support you if you are at risk of losing your current job. 

We will:

  • Work with you to help you find a job that matches your work goals 
  • Provide guidance on how to talk to employers about work history and personal information  
  • Help with any adjustment you may need in your new workplace 
  • Support you with job searching and will create opportunities for you to meet with employers 
  • Give you benefits advice and support and help with budgeting 
  • Work with the treatment service to support your recovery 
  • Work with your new employer to help you to settle into your role, if you want us to 
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Next steps

To find out more about our IPS employment support provision and whether this is offered within your local service, please identify and contact your local drug and alcohol service using our ‘Find a service’ feature for more information.  

Working alongside employers 

IPS is a fully funded, free to use service.  

We offer hassle-free support to employers to fill vacancies by connecting you with motivated, preference matched candidates. 

Employment plays an important role in recovery and health improvement journeys. By employing someone through our service, you are helping to make a difference in the lives of people in the local community. 

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The benefits to you as an employer: 

  • This is a free employment service to help you find skilled and motivated candidates  
  • We provide on-going ‘in-work’ support once the candidate starts their new role to help them settle in and address any issues 
  • Focus on you and your business needs to ensure we always find you the right candidate You will be helping to make a difference  
  • Your new candidate will be motivated and well supported to succeed 
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    Get involved

    If you would like to get involved by providing employment opportunities, please contact your nearest Change Grow Live drug and alcohol support service using our 'Find a service' feature to find out more.