Giving sick employees a helping hand

The Kensington and Chelsea Fit For Work Service (FFWS) was set up in February 2010 to provide help to people who live or work in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and are on sick leave from their employment.
By: Baljit Badesha
 
Sept. 1, 2011 - PRLog -- A free service set up to help people in employment on sick leave get back to work is celebrating after it secured further government funding. The Kensington and Chelsea Fit For Work Service (FFWS) -
http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/businessandenterprise/businessadvice/fitforwork.aspx was set up in February 2010 to provide help to people who live or work in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and are on sick leave from their employment. It helps by providing quick access to a range of health services and other support such as advice on debt and income maximisation, employment and skills.

Nucleus helps by providing debt advice and how to cope with income reduction following a major life changing event.

In its first year the service has helped over 150 people return to work and is now to be rolled out to Hammersmith and Fulham, and Westminster. Dr. Melanie Smith, Director of Public Health, and local FFWS Partnership Lead, said: “We are delighted that the service can continue to work with GPs and others to support sickness absentees to return to work, and that we can expand into our neighbouring boroughs. We are very proud of the service and the very real and positive effects it is having on people’s lives”.

Dr Margaret Chung, GP at the Colville Health Centre in Notting Hill, added: “We are really pleased that the Fit For Work Service will continue as we have contacted them on a regular basis on behalf of our patients. The service provided has always been prompt with rapid access to the physiotherapy and counselling services our patients need to get them back on to their feet and back to work.”

FFWS client, Leila Fatehi, was referred when she went off work sick from her job as a Barista. She had shoulder, neck and back pain, associated with prolonged standing and carrying heavy items. She was also experiencing problems at work with her manager. The stress associated with this was affecting Leila’s sleep and family life. Whilst Leila had already been referred to physiotherapy, Leila’s GP referred her to FFWS to receive further support from the team.
After an initial assessment, she was referred to counselling, acupuncture, and clinical exercise. Leila also accessed advice to help her better manage and maximise her income. NOVA, the Fit for Work Service partner helping clients secure alternative employment and re-training opportunities, supported Leila to secure funding for a university place.

Through contact with her employer, the Fit for Work case manager helped Leila get a transfer to work in a different store, and she went back to work after three weeks, on a phased return basis. Leila reported that the service helped her to return to work quicker than she otherwise would have done. She said: “The quick appointments and access to services, along with the helpful staff really supported me with my problems,“ adding, “It would be great if everyone with a problem at work could use the service.”

Rebecca Yeoh, Senior Case Manager at Fit for Work, explained: “Returning to work where there is workplace conflict often leads to repeat future absences due to the client not liking their job. Hence assisting the client to seek new employment, whilst concurrently working in her current job, not only gives the client something to look forward to, it also means the client is likely to remain in employment long term.”

The service is tailored to individuals, and is geared towards helping sickness absentees return to work as quickly as possible. It takes referrals from GPs, employers and other services. People are also able to access the service direct if they wish.

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Nucleus Legal Advice Centre is a voluntary organisation providing free legal advice and assistance and representation in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, in particular in the Earl's Court area.For more information about Nucleus please visit http://www.nucleus.org.uk.
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Source:Baljit Badesha
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Tags:Fit For Work, Kensington, Legal, Housing
Industry:Family, Legal, Non-profit
Location:Kensington - London, Greater - England
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