Evaluation of a national supported employment programme for people with psychiatric conditions

Abstract

Statement of context

Job Club is a National Mental Health Blueprint programme funded by the Ministry of Health in Singapore, to provide supported employment for people recovering from psychiatric conditions.

Critical reflection on practice

Professional staff such as occupational therapists were re-designated as vocational specialists in this programme. Between financial years 2009 and 2014, a total of 1449 job placements were carried out. Fifty-six per cent of all job placements lasted more than two months and 47% of them lasted more than three months. From 2012, the service was integrated with an existing occupational therapy psychiatric rehabilitation service, resulting in an improved job placement rate from 19% to 63%. Linear regression analyses found that only prior vocational training predicted job tenure.

Implications for practice

Overall, occupational therapists found that our training in activity analyses enabled us to conduct job task analyses, employer education as well as worksite support and modifications competently.