There is no expectation that CHCP staff will become experts in employment issues.  This team will act as the initial point of referral for clients/patients who show an interest in the area of work.  CHCP staff are being asked to consider employment as a major means of improving health and quality of life for clients/patients and simply to raise the issue with them.  

How quickly a client moves towards employment, education or training is dictated by them. It is likely that the team will refer patients/clients on to suitable support services to assist them towards employment. 

This might involve literacy issues, condition management, building confidence, using adaptive technology, etc.  These will be able to give people a sense of progress towards work and help them to look at different options around work, benefits, and aspirations. 

Getting more Glaswegians into work is an agreed priority for the city’s partners.  It is not an issue that will go away.  This team will aim to contribute to that important agenda. 

If it works, then both the CHCP and those partners which work directly on employability issues will have to change their ways of working to accommodate lessons from it.