Generalisability of the individual placement and support model of supported employment: results of a Canadian randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Studies conducted in the USA have found the individual placement and support model of supported employment to be more effective than traditional vocational rehabilitation at helping people with severe mental illness to find and maintain competitive employment.

AIMS: To determine the effectiveness of the individual placement and support (supported employment) model in a Canadian setting.

METHOD: A total of 150 adults with severe mental illness, who were not currently employed and who desired competitive employment, were randomly assigned to receive either supported employment (n = 75) or traditional vocational services (n = 75).

RESULTS: Over the 12 months of followup, 47% of clients in the supported employment group obtained at least some competitive employment, v. 18% of the control group (P < 0.001). They averaged 126 h of competitive work, v. 72 in the control group (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Supported employment proved more effective than traditional vocational services in a setting significantly different from settings in the USA, and may therefore be generalised to settings in other countries.