A TOP accolade has been awarded to the care trust that runs the mental health centre at Airedale Hospital.

Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust has been recognised as a national IPS centre of excellence for its work helping mental health patients find employment.

It is the first centre of excellence in Yorkshire and one of only 15 across the country.

The scheme is operated by the charity, Centre for Mental Health.

Its aim is to help more people who use mental health services get jobs, and the care trust's recognition means it will be spotlighted as an example nationally of how so-called Individual Placement and Support (IPS) can be implemented.

The trust was chosen by Centre for Mental Health to pilot a Department of Health-funded project to extend the provision of IPS.

Since the service was launched little more than a year ago, 61 people have been helped back into work.

The venture was originally scheduled to run for just 18 months, but due to its success, it will now continue across the district.

David Harper, IPS regional trainer at the trust, said: "The service is tailored to the individual, so we understand what their interests, skills and experiences are and we can then meet those needs.

"Employment specialists and clinical teams support people into a role of their choice. This includes job-seeking help, practical support such as managing travel to work, helping individuals manage their symptoms when returning to the workplace and ongoing support in the job.

"People who have gained employment have credited the programme with improving their emotional wellbeing, making new friends and improving existing relationships.

"Positive relationships with work colleagues have also been developed as a result, and other benefits cited include feeling more socially accepted."

Research shows that people who use the service are twice as likely to gain employment than those seeking jobs through traditional vocational means.

Tribute is paid to the trust by Sean Duggan, chief executive of Centre for Mental Health.

"Being in work is a key part of recovery from a mental illness for very many people," he said.

"Only seven per cent of people using mental health services are in employment, yet we know more than half would like the chance to work with the right support.

"IPS has been shown to enable at least 50 per cent of people into jobs and to help sustain them.

"We want to ensure no one is denied the right support, wherever they live, and we are delighted with the leadership shown by Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust in embracing IPS and doing what works."