AC’s journey to independence

AC is a 25-year-old male that has been diagnosed with ADHD and Autism. AC was referred to us via the IPS service in June 2024 by the Forward-Thinking Birmingham ADHD team. AC was previously referred and released by the IPS service twice due to lack of engagement.

When AC was referred to the service, he was unemployed and had limited work experience. His main barriers were interacting with others at work due to being bullied in a previous role because of his health conditions. We identified that being in employment is beneficial for AC’s mental health recovery, as it provides a sense of purpose. Consequently, being out of work was causing his mental health to deteriorate.

We established that AC wanted to work in a warehouse due to his skills and experience. We incorporated this into his CV and wrote a cover letter for each role he applied for.

AC quickly found a job, but he encountered similar issues of bullying by colleagues and subsequently left the role. We re-evaluated and revisited his vocational profile and In-work support plan to find a job that was more suited to his requirements.

After job search related activities, AC secured work, as a Driver’s Mate; delivering drinks to restaurants. He found that in this role, there was less opportunity for bullying as he was working with just one colleague at a time. We discussed professionalism and how to deal with conflict at work, which gave him more confidence.

The new role was more suited to the client’s sleep pattern too as it meant he could work early on then sleep earlier too.

AC completed 13 weeks in employment, at which point his in-work support was adjusted to bi-monthly check-ins. He continued to thrive in the role, and his mother noted that his life and outlook had been positively impacted by this new position and work routine.

Upon reaching 26 weeks in employment, AC was asked if he still required support. He expressed his appreciation for the help received but stated he now felt confident enough to continue independently.

This is an example of how the stages of IPS can be followed for great outcomes for clients and their lives. Also, how zero exclusion, and allowing clients to access the service in the future if they require, can allow for recovery and success.