About us

Workways is a service of Devon Partnership NHS Trust and is managed by Christine Wardle, Vocational Rehabilitation Services Manager. The team at Workways comprises Employment Specialists who come from a variety of backgrounds and who bring a mixture of experience and expertise, and administration staff who provide secretarial support for the whole service.

Workways uses the evidence-based Individual Placement & Support (IPS) approach and is a Centre for Mental Health Centre of Excellence for IPS. This means our service is open to anyone who wants to work and is focussed on what each person wants to do. We help people to look for work, offering signposting to benefits advice and also work closely with other healthcare professionals and employment advisors. We also provide support for people who are employed to remain in their job and work with their employer as appropriate. In all cases, we offer as much or as little support as is needed for as long or a short a time as necessary. We also run Support Forums for people who use Workways to provide mutual support and help develop our service.

New Leaf is part of Vocational Rehabilitation Services and offers a supported work environment to aid progress towards or in retaining employment.

We also facilitate a UK-wide initiative, MINDFUL EMPLOYER^® which offers easier access to information and support for employers in recruiting and retaining staff who experience mental ill health. We also support SWEMPNET, which encourages good practice in promoting the employment of people with mental health needs through the sharing of information through a network of practitioners throughout the South West.