IPS Grow Key Performance and Outcome Framework

This document has been developed in collaboration with high fidelity UK IPS services. It is intended to provide high level guidance and recommended Key Performance Indicators and targets for new and mature services. Contract KPIs and targets set by commissioners may vary from these based on local need and variation.

This is a working document that will be regularly reviewed as more data becomes available – V8

The below performance plan can be used with each Employment Specialist (ES) to ensure they have clear individualised key performance indicators (KPIs). The definition of each key performance indicator is included within the relevant tables below.

Performance plan for individual Employment Specialists

Key Performance Indicator	Target
Access	Year 1 – minimum of 35 unemployed people (new ES or new service). This is pro-rated depending on when the ES starts in post. Please note the first 3 months of the ES role focuses on training, building caseloads, and building proficiency in employer engagement. Year 2 – a minimum of 40 unemployed people. Note: The above figures do not include clients who are employed when they enter IPS. It is expected that access and outcomes for employed and unemployed clients are tracked separately.
Job outcomes (Number of people moved into work)	At least 40% of unemployed people move into paid employment. E.g. where an ES supports a minimum of 40 unemployed people per year, this equates to 16 people starting work.
Number of sustained employment outcomes	At least 65% of previously unemployed people who enter paid employment sustain employment beyond 13 weeks

Referrals

Performance indicator	Definition and rationale	Recommended evidence
Referrals	Date the referral is received	Record via management information systems and flow to IPS Grow Data Tool and MHSDS.

Caseload

Performance indicator	Definition and rationale	Recommended evidence
Access	The first meaningful contact between the ES and client once they have agreed to partake in IPS. Please see this resource for more detailed guidance on the definition of access.	Record via management information systems and flow to IPS Grow Data Tool and MHSDS.
Number of people on caseload	Number of active clients on caseload. An active client is defined as someone who has been in contact with the service in the last 4 weeks and is engaged in their Vocational Action Plan. Definition of an active client	Record via management information systems and flow to IPS Grow Data Tool and MHSDS.
Number of active cases carried over from the previous financial year	Clients who accessed the service in the previous financial year but remain active and require support to gain work or retain their employment.	Record via management information systems and flow to IPS Grow Data Tool and MHSDS.

Job outcomes

Performance indicator	Definition and rationale	Recommended evidence
Job outcomes (single individuals)	Number of people who have completed 4 or more hours of paid employment. Note: Please follow your contractual requirements. For clients who are self-employed or working zero hours contracts, take the average weekly hours over the first month of work. Hours worked per week can be calculated and updated as the case progresses. A client is self-employment if they are: • Registered as a sole trader with HMRC • Registered as a company Paid work placements and apprenticeships are included.	If required – payslips or for self-employed – Unique Tax payer Reference number. Record number of outcomes using IPS Grow Data Tool or caseload summaries.
Total job outcomes (includes multiple jobs for the same individual)	Total number of jobs gained by unemployed people accessing the service. This could include second or third jobs, or multiple part-time jobs. In line with research, we recommend services track multiple job outcomes for the same individuals¹.	Record number of outcomes using IPS Grow Data Tool, local data tool or caseload summaries.

Sustainment

Performance indicator	Definition and rationale	Recommended evidence
Number of people who sustain employment	Should be measured at the 13-, 26- and 52-week intervals. Sustained employment is measured over the same job or multiple jobs. Breaks in employment for clients with multiple jobs must be less than 6 weeks. If a gap of more than 6 weeks occurs, the clock will reset, and sustainment will be calculated from the start date of the subsequent job. We recommend only counting one job sustainment outcome of each duration (13, 26, 52 weeks) for each person referred to the service. Sustainment outcomes may also be claimed for job retention cases following a return to work.	Track sustainment for both active and inactive clients using methods such as the IPS Grow Data Tool/spreadsheet. Where this isn’t possible, services should report only on active clients (i.e., those receiving in work support & not yet discharged).

References

Drake, Brown, Becker, Individual Placement and Support: An evidenced based approach to supported employment. Evidenced based practice Series, Oxford University Press.
King, J. and Waghorn, G., 2018. How Higher Performing Employment Specialists Engage and Support Job-seekers with Psychiatric Disabilities. Journal of Rehabilitation, 84(2), pp.48-56.
Corbière, M., Brouwers, E., Lanctôt, N. and van Weeghel, J., 2014. Employment specialist competencies for supported employment programs. Journal of occupational rehabilitation, 24(3), pp.484-497
Whitley, Kostick, Bush 2010. Desirable Characteristics and Competencies of Supported Employment Specialists: An Empirically Grounded Framework.