Affiliations: University of Sherbrooke, Centre for Action in Work
Disability and Rehabilitation (CAPRIT), Longueuil, Quebec, Canada | University of Sherbrooke, Longueuil, Quebec,
Canada
Abstract: Objective: This study aimed to identify the key components of
supported employment (SE) programs needed to help people with serious mental
illness obtain and maintain competitive employment. Participants and methods: Via convenience sampling, semi-structured interviews were conducted
with 69 employment specialists and ninety-nine (99) clients who successfully
obtained employment through SE programs in three Canadian provinces. Results: The findings describe five themes important to getting a job and to
keeping a job: 1) philosophy of the program, 2) programmatic SE components, 3)
employment specialists' competencies (skills, attitudes, and behaviours), 4)
clients' skills and characteristics, and 5) elements related to employers.
Employment specialists perceived a positive attitude and a client-centered
program philosophy to be important for obtaining employment, while they
perceived the support offered, the frequency and length of the follow-up as
essential elements for maintaining a job. Clients perceived the employment
specialists' competencies (e.g., positive attitude, marketing skills) to be
important components. Conclusion: These results suggest a need to update
the essential components in SE programs, or to include additional SE
components.
Keywords: Critical components, serious mental illness, qualitative study
