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Occupational therapists are the 'missing link' to help unemployment levels

Alan Milburn's diagnostic report argues the system, not young people, is failing, as one in eight individuals aged 16 to 24 are NEETs. "Young people do not lack ambition; it's the system failing them," the report argues.
Of NEETs aged 16 to 24, 57% have underlying health conditions, while four in five young people claiming Universal Credit benefits cite mental health or neurodevelopmental conditions as their primary employment barrier.
The welfare system currently spends £25 on welfare for every £1 allocated to workforce support; Milburn aims to address this disparity by integrating occupational health professionals as the critical "missing link" between employers and clinical practitioners.
Implementing this reset requires cross-departmental collaboration between the DWP, DHSC, and DfE, as occupational health specialists provide managers with practical tools to support individual health needs in the workplace.
Clinicians must prioritize "being in good work" as an essential treatment outcome, as specialists can provide early intervention and tailored care to ensure young people with complex conditions remain in education or employment.

Insights by Ground AI