My Recovery - Tameside

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Employment support (IPS)

If you have faced difficulties with drugs or alcohol, we might be able to assist you in finding employment.

Our Individual Placement and Support (IPS) employment service offers extensive, tailored support to people who have faced difficulties with drugs or alcohol. This can help them to find and sustain paid employment.

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What is Individual Placement and Support?

Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is an evidenced-based employment support model which follows eight key principles

  1. It aims to get people into competitive employment rather than volunteering or sheltered employment.
  2. It is open to all who want access to paid employment.*
  3. It aims to find jobs that align with people's preferences.
  4. It focuses on placing participants into work quickly.
  5. Employment staff are based and integrated within drug and alcohol treatment services
  6. Employment staff meet with and develop relationships with local employers.
  7. When participants move into employment, ongoing in-work support is provided to ensure participants sustain employment.
  8. Benefits council and advice is offered.

*If eligible

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How our IPS service can support you

We offer a range of interventions to help our clients move towards work, including but not limited to:

  • Support with creating or enhancing a CV.
  • Support with job searching and completing job applications.
  • Interview skills and mock interview workshops
  • Information, advice and guidance around possible changes in benefits as a result of finding work.
  • Ongoing, in-work support to make sure people are happy in their new jobs.
  • Discussing the pros and cons of sharing person information with prospective employers.
  • Exploring reasonable adjustments and access-to-work claims.

Eligibility criteria for our IPS service

The IPS service is available to anyone accessing ‘structured’ drug and alcohol treatment with My Recovery Tameside and who is also of working age (between 19 and 67).

To find out more speak to your recovery coordinator. You can also email [email protected] or call 07350 359059 for more information.

Concerned others

Are you an adult who is affected by someone else's drug or alcohol use?

We support:

  • Family members (parents, siblings, children, grandparents, etc.)
  • Friends, neighbours, or colleagues
  • Carers and professionals

The person you are concerned about can be an adult or a young person and does not need to be in treatment with Change Grow Live for you to access support.

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Support we offer

We use the evidence-based 5-Step Approach to support people living in stressful environments due to someone else's substance use.

We will:

  • Listen and explore your concerns with empathy
  • Help you understand drug and alcohol use
  • Support you in managing emotions and coping strategies
  • Discuss your hopes and goals for the future
  • Explore your social support network
  • Build your confidence, resilience, and self-esteem

How to access support

You can refer yourself or be referred by a professional using our online referral form..

We offer flexible appointments and groups:

  • In person
  • By telephone
  • Via Microsoft Teams
  • At Community Drop Ins
  • At Change Grow Live’s Recovery Cafés

If you're unsure whether this support is right for you, our specialist worker Louise is happy to talk it through. You can reach her at:


[email protected]

Other resources