Newsroom

29 September 2025

‘Exemplary’ score for specialist supported employment service

Blackpool Council’s supported employment service, which is delivered across Lancashire and South Cumbria, has been recognised as ‘Exemplary’, with one of the highest scores in the country, and the award of the prestigious Quality Mark following an outstanding independent review.

The IPS Central and West Lancashire team outside with grass, trees and bushes in the background
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The Individual Placement and Support (IPS) service specialises in providing personalised help to people to secure employment or maintain their current job whilst they are managing and living with a severe mental health condition, such as schizophrenia, personality disorder or psychosis.

 

The IPS service is a “a real beacon of hope”

An Exemplary score is the highest rating awarded in a Fidelity Review of an IPS service. This top score indicates that a service consistently delivers IPS principles and practices at a high level of quality, leading to better employment outcomes for the people it supports.

In the latest review the IPS service (Central and West Lancashire) team was praised for “demonstrating exemplary practice” with “outstanding feedback from clinical colleagues, service users and employers alike, marking them out as a service that makes a genuine difference to people’s lives” and does “life changing work” – “A real beacon of hope”.

 

Over 800 jobs secured

In addition to the ‘Exemplary’ review, the IPS Central and West Lancashire team also received the Quality Mark for their work in attaining a 40% plus success rate supporting people to secure jobs in sectors ranging from engineering, plumbing to animal care.

Since the service launched in 2020 it has supported over 800 people to get a job and expects by early next year to have achieved over 1000 successful job starts.

One client of the service, commented:

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“Two years ago I never thought I would get a job. I never thought I would work again. They [IPS] have been amazing and I wouldn't be where I am now without them.”
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The IPS team forms part Blackpool Council’s wider Positive Steps into Work service which offers a range of programmes designed to help unemployed people get back into work and also help businesses recruit local people into jobs. The IPS programme is funded by the Integrated Care Board (ICB) to provide the service across Lancashire and South Cumbria with teams working alongside NHS and community mental health professionals.

Carolyn Watkins, Programme Manager Mental Health Transformation, Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, commented:

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“Blackpool Council’s IPS team achieving such a high score in the recent Central and West IPS Fidelity Review is a fantastic testament to doing the right things, in the right way, every day. When services stay truly faithful to the IPS model that is person‑centred, rapid job search, and employer‑focused, people with severe mental illness can secure or sustain better jobs, and we see the benefits ripple across families and communities. This success reflects strong collaboration across local partners.”
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Cllr Jo Farrell, Blackpool Council Cabinet Member for Communities and Wellbeing, added:

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“We are all so proud of the team and the service. This outstanding review recognises their hard work and unstinting determination and commitment to help people dealing with mental health issues benefit from employment opportunities. The results are really impressive and it is so good to hear all the positive feedback and praise that clients using the service have for the teams.”
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The IPS service accepts self-referrals or professional referrals with the client’s consent.

Contact the IPS by telephone on 01253 477300 or email ips@blackpool.gov.uk

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