What is the Personal Support Programme?
The Personal Support Programme is a pre-employment program that provides assistance to help participants address the non-vocational barriers that impact on their capacity to participate in the workforce or the community. The Personal Support Programme delivers valuable, practical assistance to those with multiple non vocational barriers to build the necessary life skills to enter the workforce.
2,500 additional places were made available in the Personal Support Programme as part of the Helping People with Mental Illness to Enter and Remain in Employment measure which forms part of the Commonwealth's component of the Council of Australian Governments' (COAG) National Action Plan on Mental Health 2006 - 2011.
The Personal Support Programme is administered by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
Why is this important?
People with multiple non-vocational barriers including mental illness sometimes require support to become ready for a job. The Personal Support Programme provides this support by addressing non-vocational barriers in a holistic manner.
Who benefits?
The Personal Support Programme helps participants address personal circumstances that can include:
- mental illness, including :
- personality disorders and anger management issues;
- mood disorders (including depression);
- anxiety disorders;
- stress disorders;
- homelessness;
- drug or alcohol problems;
- issues associated with experiences of torture or trauma;
- gambling problems;
- domestic violence;
- financial management problems;
- physical or intellectual disability;
- social isolation/alienation; and
- poor communication/language skills.
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What does the Personal Support Programme deliver?
Personal Support Programme participants receive ongoing assistance to help address the barriers that impact on their capacity to participate in the workforce or the community. These services are professional, flexible, and sensitive to the participant's circumstances and background as well as tailored to the needs of both the participant and local services available in the community.
The Personal Support Programme offers:
- counselling and personal support;
- referral and advocacy;
- practical support;
- outreach activities;
- regular contact and ongoing assessment;
- help while moving into work, employment assistance or study; and
- assistance with an Intervention Plan that sets out how the Personal Support Program will help address the participant's needs.
How does it work?
The Personal Support Programme is delivered by a network of private and community organisations that have been selected for their skills and experience. They have excellent knowledge and connection to the local community, as well as the capacity to work with other organisations that help with a range of personal difficulties.
The Personal Support Programme has four providers delivering specialist mental health services.
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What funding is attached to this measure?
For 2007-08 the Australian Government committed almost $96 million to the Personal Support Programme to fund 55,000 places.
In 2006-07, 2,500 places specifically allocated to those with mental health issues were released under the Council of Australian Governments' (COAG) National Action Plan on Mental Health 2006 - 2011.
When did the Personal Support Programme start?
The Personal Support Programme commenced in 2002. It replaced the Community Support Programme.
What's been done in the past?
In 2006-07, the Personal Support Programme had approximately 45,900 places.
Further information
To locate a Personal Support Programme provider: http://jobsearch.gov.au/provider/ProviderLocation.aspx?ProviderType=PSP&
For information and practical resources for people with a disability in employment - JobAccess: http://www.jobaccess.gov.au/joac/home.
For further information on the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and employment services: http://www.workplace.gov.au.
For general information on jobs and employment: http://jobsearch.gov.au/Login/Login.aspx?WHCode=0
For information on the employment services review - www.workplace.gov.au/ESReview.
For further information on the new Employment Services model - www.workplace.gov.au/ESReview.
Page currency, Latest update: 24 December, 2008