Preventing health-related job loss
An evidence-based response to what is needed to provide effective, tiered caseworker support in the UK
What is the issue?
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The number of people in the UK workforce who want to work but are limited by their health conditions has been increasing. According to a report by the Commission for Healthier Working Lives for the Health Foundation, 8.7 million people, or over 20% of those aged 16 to 64 years, are restricted in the type or amount of work they can do due to their health conditions. The inability to stay in or return to the labour market, resulting in forced economic inactivity, has significant financial and social costs for employers, individuals, and the economy as a whole.
To reduce avoidable job loss linked to health, international evidence from countries like the Netherlands and Denmark suggests that personalised, early-stage interventions can help people remain in or return to work. However, there are still significant gaps in the UK evidence regarding workforce capacity, delivery models, funding and service integration.
How are we helping?
RAND Europe has been commissioned by the Health Foundation to provide a timely evidence base on sustainable early intervention caseworker models in the UK. This initiative aims to support the implementation of caseworker-led support models, influencing policy and delivery in alignment with the Commission for Healthier Working Lives and Keep Britain Working review.
The research will follow a mixed-methods approach, incorporating:
- A Rapid Evidence Review (REA) of relevant delivery models, workforce roles, and system integration.
- Mapping the current workforce capacity in the UK, including skills, availability and training gaps.
- Reviewing the impact and cost-benefit evidence of various model options.
- Conducting interviews with key stakeholders and site visits with providers and delivery partners.
- Appraising delivery models for expansion and scale-up feasibility through workshops with practitioners and referrers.
A Research Advisory Group, chaired by Dame Carol Black, will provide expert guidance and support at key stages to ensure the project remains anchored in policy realities.
Expected outputs include interim presentations, a comprehensive final report, policy briefings, and dissemination of findings to inform service providers, commissioners and wider stakeholders with practical and actionable guidance.
The project began in September 2025 and is expected to run until March 2026.
