Sheltered work schemes for people with severe mental health problems: service use and costs

An exploratory study was funded by the Department of Health to describe and cost a range of schemes which provide work for people with severe mental illness. The seven participating work schemes (all based in or near London) were costed using annual reports and income and expenditure accounts information. Approximately 20 workers at each scheme were interviewed and asked for details about their quality of life, living arrangements, income and all recent service receipt. This paper sets out the methods used to undertake the costing component of the study. It then examines the findings in terms of accommodation arrangements, work scheme costs and uptake of all others services by study members. The study sample is considered by individual work scheme, by specialist and domestic accommodation arrangements, by medication details, age and sex. The paper also considers the relatives costs of providing sheltered work and day care.