Improving employability? Individual placement and support for the long-term unemployed and individuals with developmental disabilities in Finland

Abstract

Health limitations and disabilities can create considerable barriers to entering employment. Individual placement and support (IPS), an evidence-based model of supported employment, has proven effective in promoting the employment of individuals facing serious mental illness. The objective of this study was to examine the potential of IPS to influence the employability of new client groups: individuals experiencing prolonged unemployment and those with developmental disabilities. Through 17 client interviews and 12 interviews with employment specialists in Finland, we examined how IPS, guided by eight principles, can influence individual factors, personal circumstances, and external factors affecting employability. The findings indicate that IPS offers promising new approaches to enhancing employability and supporting job retention among the long-term unemployed and individuals with developmental disabilities. However, outdated notions of employability and reliance on conventional employment methods may hinder the transition of individuals with complex employment barriers into the labor market.