What question did this study set out to answer?

The project aims to improve vocational recovery outcomes for young people with mental ill-health by developing an IPS Workforce Development Framework.

May 16, 2026Open Access

Strengthening the IPS Workforce: Designing a Competency-Based IPS Workforce Development Framework for Headspace Centres in Australia

Key Points

The project aims to improve vocational recovery outcomes for young people with mental ill-health by developing an IPS Workforce Development Framework.
Mixed-methods approach including workforce surveys, focus groups, interviews, and literature review.
Involvement of IPS vocational specialists, supervisors, headspace centre managers, and experts from related sectors.
Creation of a comprehensive options paper and Theory of Change to guide framework design.
Identified capability gaps and issues with recruitment practices and career pathways.
Developed an IPS Competency Framework outlining six core competency domains and four foundational values.
Proposed flexible strategies for workforce development, including training and strengthening recruitment processes.

Abstract

Abstract Purpose This project aimed to develop the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Workforce Development Framework to address challenges in IPS workforce availability, capacity, and capability in headspace centres across Australia, with the goal of improving vocational recovery outcomes for young people with mental ill-health. Methods A mixed-methods approach informed the development of an IPS Competency Framework and an aligned IPS Workforce Development Framework. Data were collected through workforce surveys, focus groups, interviews, and a literature review. Participants included IPS vocational specialists, supervisors, headspace centre and lead agency managers, and experts from the broader vocational and IPS sectors. A comprehensive options paper and Theory of Change guided the design of the IPS Competency Framework and IPS Workforce Development Framework. Results The workforce assessment revealed capability gaps, variations in recruitment practices, concerns about career pathways, and staff retention issues. Considerable diversity in vocational specialists’ backgrounds and experience, along with a lack of clearly defined competencies for the role, was also apparent. In response, an IPS Competency Framework was developed outlining six core competency domains and four foundational values necessary for IPS vocational specialists working with young people with mental ill-health. The IPS Workforce Development Framework defines flexible, scalable strategies such as training and credentialing, peer-to-peer learning, strengthening recruitment processes, and career pathways, aligned to the identified competencies. Conclusion The competency-based IPS Workforce Development Framework offers a comprehensive, system-level response to workforce challenges and marks an important step towards strengthening the IPS workforce in Australia. Ongoing evaluation will be essential to refine its implementation and improve IPS delivery for young people.

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Cite This Study

Kunin et al. (Thu,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a080af2a487c87a6a40d02a https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-026-10385-9

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