ABSTRACT
The Work Psychology Division of the Department for Work and Pensions works with jobseekers/employees with a wide range of disabilities. To develop their skills, to increase awareness in the ergonomic discipline and improve confidence in its application, the Division embarked upon an internal programme of training and support for its work psychologists. The “Designing Workplace Solutions National Working Group” was introduced some 12 months later, with the aim of further enhancing Work Psychologist effectiveness in managing employment interventions, contributing to national and regional understanding and thinking on “workplace solutions”, and increasing operational performance. One of the recommendations of the Government’s Green Paper “Pathways To Work” is for advisors, including Work Psychologists, to “identify solutions in the workplace”, to help those on Incapacity Benefit remain in employment. The terms of reference for the working group included the introduction of standard operating models in relation to policy, training, and new tools and solutions, and the evaluation of employer retention interventions.
