Spotlight on the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Program

Spotlight on the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Program

Operating out of headspace Dubbo, the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Program helps young people aged 12-25 to reach their educational and employment goals alongside supporting their mental health and wellbeing. From school avoidance, work struggles right through to mental health concerns, the team partner with young people to establish realistic goals and provide tailored support to help them on their journey to achieving these goals.

How can this program help?

Education pathway support

For some young people, attending school is difficult. The IPS program has supported individuals to alternative modes of study, including one such young person whose goal was to complete year 10 by the end of the year. However, having only attended 4 days throughout the term and being unwilling to return to school, it was clear the young person needed individualised support to achieve their goal.

Working in partnership with headspace Youth Care Coordinators (YCC), the IPS team supported the young person to explore other ways to Year 10, leading to them enrolling through TAFE NSW. The IPS team partnered with the young person to help them to succeed in their studies – providing practical advice guidance, and health and wellbeing supports.

In a testament to the young person’s dedication, they went on to complete their studies, achieving what may seem like a simple goal to most, but a significant milestone for the young person – something that previously may have seemed impossible.

Employment support and job readiness

These days, getting a job can prove more difficult than ever – and for some, a necessity to bridge the gap between school and the commencement of university studies. One young person supported by the IPS program had a goal of finding a job to help them save up in readiness to attend university. However, lacking appropriate qualifications and goals, they needed personalised support to work through what a suitable role could look like.

The IPS team supported the young person, talking through what they wanted out of the job. The outcome was that the young person wanted to pursue bar work, and they were linked up with free RSA and RCG training, ultimately resulting in the young person securing work as a bar tender. This was an environment where the young person could communicate with others in a social setting, while also acquiring transferable skills and qualifications they could take with them on their university journey – both important goals for them.

Goal-oriented individualised support

The support each person receives looks different – because it is individualised, person-centred and goal-oriented. In addition to providing one on one support, the IPS team regularly provide information sessions and learning opportunities to the broader community, including career pathways sessions, interview tips and resume writing guidance. A key to the success of the program is how the team work alongside the broader headspace team – including youth care coordinators and psychologists – ensuring the support individuals receiving is multi-disciplinary while at the same time, person-centred and individualised.

This service is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.