HSE WORKLINK NORTH WEST
TRAINING & SUPPORT SERVICE
• Teresa Haughey (Service Manager)
• Frances Ferry (Job Coach/Trainer)
COUNTY DONEGAL
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Population (2016 Census) – 158,755
Area 4,861 Km²
Largest county in Ulster, 4th largest in ROI
Approx 6km border with ROI
Approx population breakdown:
• 19% living in larger towns x 3 (2,501 – 20,000 population)
• 14% living in towns (1,000 – 2,500 population)
• 67% living in rural areas
• 2nd most deprived area in ROI after Limerick City (2011 Census)
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
The HSE Worklink North West is committed to providing person-centred training
and support for people in recovery from mental ill health, and enhancing
quality of life.
HSE WORKLINK NORTH WEST
• Community based Mental Health Training and Support
Service
• Holistic and person-centred approach
• Five Training Programmes in three
locations in County Donegal
Carndonagh
WORKLINK
LOCATIONS
Dungloe
Letterkenny
HSE WORKLINK NORTH WEST TRAINING PROGRAMMES
• Active Life
• Art Life
• Social Link
• Community Link
• STEPs
OUTCOMES
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Full and Part-time employment
Self Employment
Supported Employment
Progression to further training/education
Progression to Third Level education
Voluntary Work
Community Employment Schemes
QQI Certification
Independent Living
Improved Quality of Life
TARGET GROUP
• Adults (18 years to 65 years) living in the community who have mental health
needs
• Referred to the service by GP or HSE Mental Health Team
APPROACH TO SUPPORTING PEOPLE WITH MENTAL
HEALTH NEEDS INTO EMPLOYMENT
• Person – centred Plans
• Encourage employment as an outcome
• Over past 5 years 220 have used our service
• 32% in employment
• 33% in further education/training/3rd Level
• Vocational Training Programme (STEPs)
• Rehabilitative Training Programme (Active Life)
APPROACH TO SUPPORTING PEOPLE WITH MENTAL
HEALTH NEEDS INTO EMPLOYMENT
Through Person-centre plan they can identify how they will approach finding
a job:
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Support of Support Worker to find the job
CV updating / Job applications
Off-site Support
Identifying Reasonable accommodations/supports
Developing a career plan
Support work liaising with management and staff
Effects of employment on benefits
Advising employers re incentives for employing people with disabilities.
LINKS WITH HOUSING PROVIDERS
• The Vision for Change (2006-2016)
Recommendation 4.7:
“The provision of social housing is the responsibility of the Local Authority. Mental Health services should work in
liaison with Local Authorities to ensure housing is provided for people with mental health problems who require it.”
• Guidance Paper – Addressing the Housing Needs of People using Mental Health Services (2012)
“...there is now an obligation on service delivery agencies, specifically the HSE and Local Authorities to work
collaboratively on making appropriate and adequate provision for both the housing and mental health care needs
of those who use mental health services and to ensure that supports are congruent with their rights as citizens,
sufficient for their wellbeing and conducive to personal recovery.” (2012)
LINKS WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS
• Voluntary Housing Associations
• North West Simon Community
• STEER Social Housing
• APEX
• St Vincent de Paul
• Local Authorities - Housing Officers
• MABs
COMMUNITY LINK PROGRAMME
A 20-week programme facilitating independent living
• Home management skills
• Budgeting and managing personal finances
• Cooking
• Applying for rent allowance/Household benefits
• Understanding rights / responsibilities as tenants
CHALLENGES FOR OUR SERVICE USERS
Housing Needs:
• Rent payments/Rent arrears
• Rent increases – ability to assert rights
• Housing conditions
• Lack of housing available/Location
• Eligibility for Rent allowance/HAP
IMPORTANCE OF PROVIDING SUPPORT TO PEOPLE WITH
MENTAL HEALTH DIFFICULTIES WHO COULD BE VIEWED AS
BEING AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS:
PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH DIFFICULTIES HAVE
MULTIPLE NEEDS:
• Health
• Financial welfare
• Employment
• Housing
• Criminal justice
• Social integration
• Emotional needs
• Education
PERSON CENTRED PLAN TOOL
Education
Emotional
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Relationships
Counselling
Mental Health Teams
Support Groups
ETB
LYIT
Other
Health
Criminal Justice
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Finance
Probation Services
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Addiction
Counselling
Mental Health Teams
GP
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MABS
DSP/Community Welfare
Credit Union
Employment
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DSP/INTREO
People First
Employment Response NW
Recruitment Agencies
Social/Community
Housing
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Voluntary Housing Authority
Local Housing Authority
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Community Groups/Services
Leisure/ Recreational Groups
CHALLENGES THAT EXIST IN TRYING TO ENSURE THAT
SUPPORTS ARE INTEGRATED, PARTICULARLY IN A RURAL
CONTEXT:
Positives:
• Being a HSE service we are recognised within the Donegal Mental Health
services
• Community-based and over the past 21 years we have developed good links
and rapport with public services and local community groups and businesses.
LINKS WITH THE COMMUNITY
JIGSAW
Community Centres
STEER
Family Resource Centres
Probation Officers
Rural Transport
ETB
North West Simon
Community
DLDC
Employers
Citizens Information
Supported Employment Services
Community Welfare
GPs
Domestic Violence Service
Women’s Centre
Tusla
MABs
St Vincent de Paul
DSP
LYIT
Men’s Shed
Local Authority (Housing Officers)
Mental health support groups – Aware,
GROW, Mental Health Ireland
RECENT POLICIES
• Vision for Change 2006-2016
• A Framework for the Training and Employment of People with Mental Health
Difficulties 2007,
• The Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities (20152024).
CHALLENGES TO INTEGRATING SUPPORTS
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Communication and sharing of information amongst services
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Confidentiality
Attitudes and Culture
• Stigma and Discrimination
• Territorial
• Application Process / Eligibility Criteria
• Availability
• Moving FAS Placement Officers to DSP
• Accessibility
POSSIBLE AREAS FOR GREATER COORDINATION AND
COLLABORATION IN SUPPORTING PEOPLE WITH MENTAL
HEALTH DIFFICULTIES INCLUDE:
• On a ground level - Local services inputting to a local directory of support services
• HSE, DSP and Transport Authority to look at rural transport routes
• HSE Mental Health Services, DSP to address the benefits trap for those with enduring
mental health conditions
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Collaboration between HSE Mental Health Services and DSP – Piloting Job Coaches
as part of the Community Mental Health teams.
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DSP, Local Authorities, Housing Support Services to collaborate to promote the
Housing Assistance Project (HAP)
CONCLUSION
• There needs to be a shift in attitudes and thinking within organisations to make
services more approachable and break down stigma barriers associated with
mental health.
• Person-centred plan tool assists integrating supports
• To enhance communities we need to work together
HSE WORKLINK NORTH WEST
Thank you for listening to our presentation if you require any further
information
Contact Details:
Teresa Haughey (Service Manager)
Tel: 0749128872
Email: [email protected]