Mental health employment service helps thousands across Greater Manchester

An NHS mental health employment support programme in Greater Manchester has helped thousands of people with severe mental illness find and sustain meaningful work.

Since April 2025, 4,300 people have been supported through individual placement and support (IPS) services across the Greater Manchester city region - exceeding the NHS target by over 40%.

We (Pennine Care NHS) deliver IPS services across all 10 Greater Manchester boroughs. We work in partnership with social enterprises Pure Innovations, PossAbilities, and The Growth Company. This sits alongside a complementary primary care IPS service commissioned by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

Individual placement and support is an internationally recognised and evidence-based model. It helps people with mental health conditions to find, stay and progress in paid employment as a core part of their recovery.

A team of 70 employment specialists work across Greater Manchester mental health services, supporting people every step of the way. This includes exploring career options and building skills, through applications and interviews, to settling into a role that is right for them.

Just under half of people who start IPS move into paid employment, in roles as varied as joiner, prison officer, special educational needs teaching assistant and water technician.

Connor, who is now working at a local Co‑op store, said: “Before this support, my mental health made everything feel overwhelming and I didn’t think I’d be able to work. It’s helped me build my confidence and feel independent again.”

Evidence shows IPS creates around £6,000 in savings per person through reduced hospital admissions, fewer relapses and lower rates of readmission.

Based on this year's figures, the service is estimated to have produced savings of £25.8 million to the NHS in 2025/26.

Anthony Hassall, our chief executive, said: “Too many people with severe mental illness are excluded from the opportunity to work, and IPS is helping to change that. It’s a proven model that not only supports people into jobs, but transforms lives – improving wellbeing, reducing inequality and giving people a renewed sense of purpose and independence.”

Louise Parrott-Bates, Chief Executive at Pure Innovations, added: “Meeting the IPS target is a strong reflection of the commitment of staff across the partnership to support people with severe mental illness into paid employment.

“Working alongside PossAbilities and The Growth Company has been essential to achieving this milestone, and we look forward to building on this progress.”

With additional funding confirmed for 2026-2027, we're expanding the service across Greater Manchester and working towards becoming a centre of excellence.

IPS is a key part of the Government's ambitions to help people move from benefits into meaningful work, demonstrating that employment support and mental health treatment, delivered together, can produce life-changing results for individuals, families, communities and the wider economy.