Projects

IES are partnering with Rocket Science in an evaluation of Active Lancashire’s Workplace Health Champions training for SMEs. It will examine the benefits SMEs gain from having Workplace Health Champions as part of their workforce as well as any synergies with uptake of wider aspects of the programme such as health checks. IES will lead on an evidence review and partner in qualitative data collection from employers, Champion trainees and other local stakeholders.

IES has been commissioned to conduct qualitative research into the barriers and enablers to effective coaching for wellbeing and an animation for potential coachees to improve readiness for coaching. The context is of a primary care workforce which has been facing increased pressures on health and wellbeing for a significant period, and the impact of COVID-19 has magnified some of these pressures. Having access to support is an essential element of a joined-up approach so there is a need to increase both the effectiveness and reach of existing interventions which work.

IES is designing and implementing an impact evaluation of the newest offer in NHS England and NHS Improvement’s suite of coaching support offers for primary care staff. To capture longer term impact we will be using a multi-method approach including a series of on-line surveys, prompted journalling and career tracking.

An evidence review to understand the elevated risks that people living with obesity have for experiencing anxiety, depression, stigma, and social inequalities – which can all have implications for their work, productivity and success in the labour market. The research will consist of en evidence review to update the report written last year, and to highlight the case for why research into the role employment has for those living with obesity is important.

A return to work guide following the Covid-19 lockdowns to ensure that people living with obesity who have a greater vulnerability to more negative outcomes from Covid-19 are provided with a safe and stigma free return to the workplace

A survey and associated report to determine the level of stigma and discrimination that employees living with obesity experience in the UK.

IES will assist the #LookingAfterYouToo core project team, led by NHS England and NHS Improvement in partnership with Royal College of GPs, to co-design, implement and evaluate a successful coaching support offer for primary care staff and teams, as well as a BAME pilot offer. The coaching offers aim to improve staff wellbeing. IES will also produce case studies of impact and briefing papers on key issues, for example GP Burnout.

The project aims to make a Virtual Life Coach (VLC) available to every member of UK Defence. Led by Daden Ltd, this innovation project is being developed and delivered in partnership with IES, Altruist Enterprises and the University of Worcester. The VLC is a chatbot which can help with day to day personal, employment and career issues, maintaining motivation and supporting retention. Having previously matured the concept into a working prototype, in Phase 2 the partners are trialling the system at an RAF base.

IES will work with the Inclusive Economy Partnership (IEP) to develop guidance for employers on good practice to manage performance and support employee wellbeing. This will involve document review, content development and testing, and various types of stakeholder liason with resources focussed on running a series of workshops. The IEP will convene a group of 8-10 pathfinder employers to work on this with CIPD, ACAS, Mind and legal experts. IES will draft and test the guidance which will be available in different formats corresponding to different professional roles and employer types (eg SMEs).

IES is running two online surveys for the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) that will provide a snapshot of the current state of the veterinary surgeon and veterinary nursing professions. The 2019 results will be compared with previous surveys carried out by IES, the most recent being in 2014, and be fully reported on.