Individual placement and support: A qualitative investigation of carers' experiences supporting someone experiencing mental illness into employment

Background: Unemployment rates for people living with mental illness remain persistently high. Individual Placement Support (IPS) is an evidence-based employment model that supports people with severe mental illness to gain employment. Although carers provide emotional and instrumental support for people with mental illness, there is limited research exploring carers' perspectives of IPS. 

Aims: To explore carers' perspectives of their experience as caregivers of individuals living with mental illness who have participated in IPS. 

Methods: This qualitative descriptive study gained carers' perspectives through semi-structured interviews. A convenience sample of eight carers was recruited via a community mental health service in Adelaide. Data were analysed thematically. 

Findings: Three main themes were identified: (1) employment benefits, (2) factors that may impact on employment, and (3) knowledge and opinions of IPS. Within each theme, four sub-themes emerged. 

Conclusions: This study addresses a gap in research and provides insights into carers' experiences of IPS. Increased communication and involvement of carers in IPS may benefit IPS participants and staff as carers provide invaluable additional insight into supporting individuals through their employment journey.