Background
A 55 year old female client was referred to the programme due to back and knee pain. She was in receipt of a health related benefit and was keen to make progress towards employment however was concerned about her ability to do so.
Barriers to Employment
The client’s case manager guided her through a bio-psychosocial assessment process to explore her barriers to employment. The client identified a number of health and wellbeing difficulties including high blood pressure, angina and asthma. She was supported to explore a number of issues which had been affecting her mood and level of confidence. She described a recent bereavement, advised that she was supporting her partner who experienced ill health and reported that she had limited social support.
The assessment process allowed the client to consider her life as a whole ,enabling her to recognise the overwhelming nature of her circumstances. Her previous feelings and concerns about not being able to cope were openly discussed and she recognised that her low mood and anxiety levels were a natural response to her difficult circumstances.
While the client had been referred due to back and knee pain, her biggest barrier was identified as anxiety and depression.
Agreed Goals
With the support of her case manger the client agreed her top three priorities for progress:
- To reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety
- To improve management of physical health conditions
- To improve confidence and self-esteem
Support
A programme of support was personally tailored to support the client in addressing her barriers and achieving these progress goals. This included the provision of:
- Health condition information
- Guided self-help
• Referral to specialist bereavement support service
- Sign-posting to local support group
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Referral to Bowen therapy to support physical health and aid relaxation
- Access to fitness provisions
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Weight management support and advice on eating well on a budget
Outcome
The client’s case manager provided on-going support at regular review meetings which encouraged the client to recognise the progress achieved and build confidence for positive change. The client was successful in achieving:
- Overall well-being improvement including reduced anxiety and depression
- Increased confidence in her ability to progress towards work
• Increased activity levels including attending her local sports centre and a social club
- Steady weight loss
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Improved confidence and self esteem
- Reduced knee and back pain due to better knowledge and management of condition
- Greater control over life, decision-making and goal setting
- Improved motivation and enhanced engagement with her employability support provider