Implementing individual placement and support in Norway. From vocational rehabilitation to an employment scheme

We explore the implementation and development of individual placement and support (IPS) in Norway. IPS is an evidence-based practice for supporting people experiencing mental illness to obtain and maintain competitive employment. Implementation of IPS into routine practice has been challenged by different paradigms in vocational rehabilitation, health and welfare policies. Data were mainly collected through individual and joint interviews of IPS experts and key stakeholders involved in the implementation of IPS. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Three themes were derived from the analysis, representing different phases in the implementation process: (1) seeking a way to meet unmet need in work and mental health practice, (2) gathering knowledge and national evidence, and (3) embedding IPS into routine practice. The study demonstrates how health and welfare policy gradually developed IPS from vocational rehabilitation to a mainstreamed welfare employment scheme. This development may secure the future of IPS in Norway. However, the implications for practice in the longer term are unknown. Our study provides insight into how implementation of an evidence-based practice both influences and is influenced by national policymaking.

Automated summary

This study explores the implementation and development of IPS in Norway, a practice that supports individuals with mental illness to obtain and maintain competitive employment. The implementation of IPS has faced challenges due to different paradigms in vocational rehabilitation, health, and welfare policies. Through interviews with experts and key stakeholders, three themes emerged, representing different phases in the implementation process: seeking a solution to unmet needs, gathering knowledge and evidence, and embedding IPS into routine practice. The study demonstrates the gradual development of IPS into a mainstream welfare employment scheme in Norway.