Work Ready Service for Young Adults with Mental Health Conditions

Essex County Council is seeking a service provider to support young adults aged 16-26 with severe mental illness to develop vocational skills and achieve employment or education goals. This newly commissioned service responds to increased mental health challenges among young adults that have disrupted their education and employment prospects since the Covid-19 pandemic. The service will be co-designed with service users and carers, with lived experience at its core. Providers should be prepared to evolve the service throughout the contract based on user feedback and needs. Key service objectives include: developing life skills (time management, budgeting, teamwork) to access education, training, or employment; building resilience, confidence, and motivation; creating career development plans; supporting engagement with community resources; and providing particular support for young adults without family guidance. The service contributes to the Essex Mental Health Strategy outcomes.