Supported Employment: Evidence for a Best Practice Model in Psychosocial Rehabilitation

BACKGROUND: Traditional approaches to vocational rehabilitation in mental health settings have had only limited effectiveness in enabling clients to meet their employment goals. Within the last decade the individual Placement and Support Model (IPS) has emerged as an alternate, evidence-based approach to providing vocational services with individuals who have severe and persistent mental illness. METHOD AND SCOPE: This review of the literature critically examines research regarding the IPS model of supported employment then discusses implications of this research for occupational therapists. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: In order to enable clients to achieve their competitive employment goals, it is imperative that occupational therapists incorporate best practice models of supported employment. IPS is one model that appears to hold significant promise for occupational therapists and their clients.