Brown, J. et al. (2015) Protocol for a mixed-methods longitudinal study to identify factors influencing return to work in the over 50s participating in the UK work programme: supporting older people into employment (SOPIE). BMJ Open, 5(12), e010525. (doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010525) (PMID:26674507) (PMCID:PMC4691729)
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Abstract
Introduction Increasing employment among older workers is a policy priority given the increase in life expectancy and the drop in labour force participation after the age of 50. Reasons for this drop are complex but include poor health, age discrimination, inadequate skills/qualifications and caring roles; however, limited evidence exists on how best to support this group back to work. The Work Programme is the UK Government's flagship policy to facilitate return to work (RTW) among those at risk of long-term unemployment. ‘Supporting Older People Into Employment’ (SOPIE) is a mixed-methods longitudinal study involving a collaboration between academics and a major Work Programme provider (Ingeus). The study will investigate the relationship between health, worklessness and the RTW process for the over 50s. Methods and analysis There are three main study components. Embedded fieldwork will document the data routinely collected by Ingeus and the key interventions/activities delivered. The quantitative study investigates approximately 14 000 individuals (aged 16–64 years, with 20% aged over 50) who entered the Ingeus Work Programme (referred to as ‘clients’) in a 16-month period in Scotland and were followed up for 2 years. Employment outcomes (including progression towards work) and how they differ by client characteristics (including health), intervention components received and external factors will be investigated. The qualitative component will explore the experiences of clients and Ingeus staff, to better understand the interactions between health and (un)employment, Work Programme delivery, and how employment services can be better tailored to the needs of the over 50s. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval was received from the University of Glasgow College of Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee (application number 400140186). Results Results will be disseminated through journal articles, national and international conferences. Findings will inform current and future welfare-to-work and job retention initiatives to extend healthy working lives.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | Further funding for this work came from Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health Directorate (SPHSU1 and 2). |
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Thomson, Dr Hilary and Katikireddi, Professor Vittal and MacDonald, Professor Ewan and Kiran, Professor Sibel and Leyland, Professor Alastair and Neary, Dr Joanne and Brown, Dr Judith |
| Authors: | Brown, J., Neary, J., Katikireddi, S., Thomson, H., McQuaid, R., Leyland, A., Frank, J., Jeavons, L., de Pellette, P., Kiran, S., and Macdonald, E. |
| College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health |
| Journal Name: | BMJ Open |
| Publisher: | BMJ Publishing Group |
| ISSN: | 2044-6055 |
| ISSN (Online): | 2044-6055 |
| First Published: | First published in BMJ Open 5(12): e010525 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons License |
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