Case Study

Within a few months Mr Jones attends four mandatory appointments, three workshops and has two sessions with the physiotherapist, all of these are invoiced and when he is shipped to work in a factory has a physical breakdown and re-enters the benefit system for another 6 months.

Cynics would perhaps call him a benefit cheat, and many do take this option in returning to benefits but either way he has simply returned back to the system in which we are trying to encourage him to escape from.

In some cases it is because the person doesn’t want to return to work but in many cases it is because advisors simply push clients into any employment as soon as possible; failure to do so could see targets missed and pressure mounted.

So Mr Jones is pushed into work he doesn’t want to do in a company who only employs temporary staff anyway; Mr Jones could have been better suited to finding a less strenuous job or waiting for his NHS appointment about his back.

Mr Jones is very able and very willing, but factory work is not for him; in a month it will be a perfect role for Mr Smith but he has an enduring mental health problem; perfect for a company such as DW.

In principal yes, Mr Smith needs support, he needs somebody to work with him for a few months and build his confidence. Having been sectioned a few times and now recovering well he has a good grip on his triggers and stress levels, he is getting support from outside organisations but needs the support of his mandatory employment advisor to help attain some routine to his progression.

“Hardest to help right?”

Unfortunately there is not enough time to work with Mr Smith; advisors have targets to meet and a minimum daily appointments requirement, they have administration to complete and referrals to make. 

It must be done because quantitative data is monitored by management and qualitative data discussed in team meetings (exhaling time).

Mr Smith is seen in the office twice in a week and a manager questions ‘So are they job ready?’

‘No I am working to get him ready’

Disapproving looks are usually thrown.

At this point advisors are met with a few options, keep working lightly with Mr Smith and hope he either finds the confidence for himself, or you can discuss it with the employer and settle him into the idea gently......

Or, and this is the most likely....you refer him and cut him loose.

The case of Mr Smith occurs over and over again, the hardest to help need support, real support. 

Four extra months of benefits + provider contract + NHS support costs less than a client entering the system  for another 6 month period after working in a job they could not sustain.

Besides that it also adds to a persons self worth and takes pressure off other supporting organisations.

This is also where the system fails, so many organisations are separate and cannot/are not encouraged to work together to provide and understand a service.

In the case of health contracts, especially mental health there is real no collusion between health authorities and service providers (unless charity) so social workers, medical professionals, case workers and many other professionals were advising one thing while the benefit system put pressure on clients to act in a different manner, both may have been pulling in the same direction but they would never know.

One conversation with anybody at the benefits agency would exemplify that.

Well Mr Jones is back in the system and Mr Smith is still struggling to find support, he still sees an opportunity to work and fortunately his advisor gives him the name of a Charity that knows it can help.