Individual Placement & Support

“I want to say to people who might be in a similar situation as me, even if you feel embarrassed or scared that you won’t fit in, give it a go. I didn’t think I’d ever get and keep a job. You have no idea how massively this has changed my life and could change yours.”- IPS Consumer

Community Bridging Services (CBS) Inc. have formed partnerships with metropolitan and rural community mental health services to deliver Individual Placement and Support (IPS) programs across seven different sites in South Australia: Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Kilkenny, Port Pirie, Murray Bridge, Berri, and Renmark.

IPS is an evidence based employment support model that helps people with severe mental illness work in employment based on each individual’s preference. Research suggests that consumers who participate in IPS services are at least twice as likely to secure employment, compared to participation in other vocational programs.

The partnerships aim to support a minimum of 120 individuals at any one time, with a significant mental health condition to gain and maintain competitive employment.

1 in 5 South Australians will be affected by a mental illness in any given year. Employment plays a vital role in the life and recovery of people with lived experience of mental illness. IPS is a multidisciplinary approach with Mental Health Clinicians and Employment Specialists working closely together to support IPS consumers.

Individual Placement and Support Programs have received recognition through a number of forums including:

  • First Follower Award – Winner, Country Health SA awards 2019
  • Excellence in Strengthening Partnerships – Nominee, SA Health Awards 2019

CBS Inc. is excited to be working with our SA community mental health service partners to improve recovery and employment outcomes for people with a significant mental illness within our local communities. CBS Inc. acknowledges that people with a mental illness should have the opportunity to be employed and contribute to their communities as part of their recovery process.

For further information on Individual Placement and Support programs please contact Tim Wiseman, CBS Inc. Regional IPS Coordinator on (08) 8532 6133