NHS Arden and Greater East Midlands Commissioning support unit (NHS Arden and GEM CSU) on behalf of NHS Hardwick Clinical commissioning group (HCCG) acting as lead Commissioners on behalf of the Derbyshire CCG's including NHS Erewash, Southern Derbyshire and North Derbyshire CCG's invited suitably qualified providers who were capable of delivering an Employment Advice Service for IAPT Services within Derbyshire.

HCCG were looking to increase the availability of employment support within IAPT services to ensure there is sufficient employment support capacity to provide a fully integrated therapy and employment support for people who are employed, those off sick from work and those who are unemployed and looking to find work.

IAPT services are psychological therapy services tailored to people's needs and include talking therapies, group approaches, couples therapy and self-help support for people who experience anxiety and depression.

The intention of this service is to ensure that IAPT services are able to offer an integrated package of psychological therapy and employment support. Services will receive investment so that they can recruit employment advisers to reach the required one employment advisor for every 8 therapists. These employment advisors will be embedded into IAPT services. Therapists and employment advisors will be expected to work together to ensure that a personalised integrated package of care is available to all clients who choose to be supported in this way to remain in, get back to and find work.