Walker, Ruth, Brown, Lynsey, Moskos, Megan, Isherwood, Linda, Osborne, Katy, Patel, Kate, King, Deb, UNSPECIFIED, and UNSPECIFIED (2016) ‘They really get you motivated’: Experiences of a life-first employment programme from the perspective of long-term unemployed Australians. Journal of Social Policy, 45 (3). pp. 507-526.

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Abstract

Long-term unemployment can negatively impact health and well-being, and is a central focus of governments seeking to address poverty and social exclusion. Little is known about how individuals experience programmes aimed at addressing long-term unemployment and consequently the client-centred indicators of ‘success’. In-depth interviews were carried out with 31 long-term unemployed individuals engaged in a ‘life-first’ programme integrating vocational assistance with intensive personal strengths-based support. The participants in this programme faced multiple disadvantages including employment and educational barriers as well as a range of significant personal issues. They equated successful outcomes in the programme with receiving a wealth of psychosocial and practical assistance in addition to vocational support, and having a case manager who approached these issues as a whole. Findings suggest that, in order to provide the best chance of gaining and maintaining employment, programmes should address, in tandem, personal and vocational barriers facing those who are long-term unemployed.

Item ID:	94268
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	0047-2794
Copyright Information:	© Cambridge University Press 2016.
Date Deposited:	22 Oct 2026 00:08
FoR Codes:	42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4206 Public health > 420606 Social determinants of health @ 100%
SEO Codes:	20 HEALTH > 2004 Public health (excl. specific population health) > 200499 Public health (excl. specific population health) not elsewhere classified @ 100%
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