Evaluating evidence-based supported employment implemented within an Australian disability employment service for adults with mental illness

According to the Australian Department of Social Services, people within Australian Disability Employment Services (DES) with mental illnesses are achieving below-average job commencements and the lowest percentage of 26-week employment milestones out of all disability types. This study evaluated an Individual Placement and Support (IPS) enhancement intervention implemented within an existing DES on the Central Coast of New South Wales involving 68 adults with mental illness. Thirty-seven participants had compulsory DES participation obligations as a condition of receiving welfare benefits. Thirty-one participants were volunteers. All were tracked for 18 months following commencement to assess progress in terms of job commencements and 13- and 26-week employment milestones. DES services enhanced by IPS achieved significantly more job commencements (67.6%) than pre-IPS DES services (56.1%) and the national average for DES providers (39.9%). Contrary to expectations, participants with compulsory participation obligations benefited from both programs as much as volunteers. IPS-enhanced services generated the most net revenue (gross revenue less direct costs of service delivery) in the current funding system when targeted to Employment Support Services (ESS) Funding Level Two participants. IPS enhanced services were more cost effective per person, and per 26 week employment milestone, when targeted to those with the most intensive assistance needs. Further financial advantages of utilising IPS enhanced interventions are expected as the Australian Government increases the emphasis on results-based funding.