WorkWell: The UK Government’s Return-to-Work Programme (2026 Guide)

Last updated: March 2026

This guide is based on official GOV.UK policy guidance and NHS WorkWell pilot data (2026).

WorkWell is a UK government programme that provides health and employment support to help people with health conditions stay in or return to work. It is free, voluntary, and available across England, with nationwide rollout continuing.

Note: WorkWell currently applies to England only, although it forms part of wider UK government policy.

WorkWell UK – Quick Summary

• What is WorkWell?
  A UK government programme that provides health and employment support to help people stay in or return to work.
• Who is it for?
  Anyone with a health condition or disability affecting their ability to work.
• Is it free?
  Yes, fully funded by the government.
• Do you need to be on benefits?
  No, it’s available regardless of benefit status.
• How to apply?
  Via your GP, Jobcentre Plus, employer, local services, or self-referral.
• Where is it available?
  Currently England only, with nationwide rollout underway.

What is the WorkWell Programme in the UK?

WorkWell is a government-backed health and work support scheme designed to help people:

• Stay in work
• Return to work
• Or move into employment

when a health condition becomes a barrier.

In simple terms, it connects healthcare and employment support into one service, so people aren’t left navigating separate systems.

What makes WorkWell different is that it acts as an early-intervention, health-led service that brings together local NHS, council, and community support — helping people stay in work where possible or return quickly if they’ve had to leave due to a health condition.

According to official GOV.UK guidance, WorkWell provides “integrated holistic early help for people with health-related barriers to work.”

WorkWell was first announced at the Spring Budget 2023 and is jointly sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) through their Joint Work and Health Directorate. It is delivered through NHS Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), which serve as the local leads for each WorkWell partnership.

The programme uses what is described as a biopsychosocial model, meaning it addresses the biological (physical health), psychological (mental health), and social (financial, housing, lifestyle) factors that can affect a person’s ability to work. This approach sets it apart from more traditional, single-issue interventions.

Why the UK Government Introduced WorkWell

Here’s where most people get confused…

The issue wasn’t just illness — it was lack of joined-up support.

• Around 2.8 million people in the UK are out of work due to long-term sickness
• Over 11 million fit notes are issued each year
• According to NHS Digital data, an overwhelming 94% of fit notes are signed “not fit for work” with little or no advice on how to return
• The cost to the UK economy of health-related economic inactivity is estimated at £212 billion per year, including around £2 billion in direct NHS costs, according to the Keep Britain Working Review
• Employers lose an estimated £120 per day in profit from sickness absences, which are at a 15-year high
• Over one in five working-age people in the UK are out of work and not looking for work, a higher rate than comparable countries such as the Netherlands (14.5%), Sweden (15.9%), and Denmark (17.7%)

The problem:
Many people were being signed off work without practical help to return.

WorkWell changes that by focusing on:

“What support helps you work?” — not just “Are you fit for work?”

The Keep Britain Working Review, led by Sir Charlie Mayfield (former chairman of the John Lewis Partnership) and published in November 2025, reinforced this approach. The review called for a fundamental shift from a model where health at work is left to the individual and the NHS to one where it becomes a shared responsibility between employers, employees, and health services. WorkWell’s national rollout was announced as a direct response to the review’s recommendations.

How the WorkWell Programme Works (Step-by-Step UK Guide)

1. Accessing WorkWell

You can enter the programme through:

• GP referral
• Jobcentre Plus
• Employer
• Local services
• Self-referral

This flexible system ensures there’s no single barrier to entry. This is often described as a “no wrong door” approach, meaning people can access support through multiple routes.

Individuals can access support in person, over the phone, via video call, or even in informal community settings such as local cafés, food banks, community hubs, or men’s sheds, depending on how the service is designed locally.

2. Work and Health Assessment

You’ll meet a Work and Health Coach, who will:

• Assess your condition
• Identify work-related challenges
• Understand your personal situation (including housing, finances, and relationships)

3. Personalised Support Plan

This is where WorkWell stands out. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, the coach works with you to develop either a “Return to Work Plan” (if you are currently out of work) or a “Thrive in Work Plan” (if you are in work but struggling).

Support is tailored to your needs, such as:

• Mental health conditions
• Musculoskeletal issues (e.g. back pain)
• Long-term health conditions
• Neurodivergent conditions (e.g. ADHD, autism)

4. Ongoing, Integrated Support

Depending on your needs, you may receive:

• Physiotherapy
• Counselling or psychological support
• Workplace adjustment advice
• Employer liaison
• Return-to-work planning
• Ongoing health management

You may also be connected to:

• Debt or financial advice
• Housing support
• Fitness or wellbeing programmes
• Smoking cessation services
• Skills training and education opportunities

Key takeaway: This isn’t a one-off service — it’s continuous support.

Who Delivers WorkWell Locally

WorkWell is delivered through NHS Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), working in partnership with local authorities, Jobcentre Plus, and community organisations. Services are designed locally to meet the needs of each area.

In practice, each local WorkWell partnership typically includes:

• The NHS Integrated Care Board (lead partner and grant recipient)
• Local councils (borough or county level)
• Jobcentre Plus offices
• Voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations
• Local NHS trusts (including mental health trusts and hospital trusts)
• Employment support providers
• Local employers and employer bodies

This multi-partner model is central to WorkWell’s design. Previous government employment programmes were often criticised for operating in silos, with health services, employment support, and community organisations working independently. WorkWell is intended to break down those barriers by requiring genuine local co-production.

WorkWell UK Eligibility: Who Can Apply in 2026?

You may be eligible if you:

• Have a health condition or disability
• Are in one of the following situations:
• In work but struggling
• Recently off work
• Returning to work after illness
• Out of work and facing health-related barriers to employment

✔ No need to be claiming benefits
✔ Open to a wide range of conditions
✔ Completely voluntary

The programme is designed as a low-intensity support offer, meaning it targets people who need relatively early-stage intervention rather than intensive long-term rehabilitation. Individuals with more complex or severe barriers to employment may be referred onwards to programmes such as Connect to Work (see below)

How to Refer Someone to WorkWell

Referrals can be made by:

• GPs and healthcare professionals
• Employers supporting staff
• Jobcentre Plus work coaches
• Local services
• Or individuals through self-referral (in most areas, you can contact the service directly via phone, email, or an online referral form)

Once a referral is received, the WorkWell team typically contacts the individual within a few working days to begin the process.

For employers: If you have an employee who is struggling with a health condition at work or is at risk of falling out of work, you can refer them (with their consent) to WorkWell. The programme can also provide advice directly to employers on how to support staff through reasonable adjustments and workplace modifications.

Is WorkWell Mandatory?

No, WorkWell is completely voluntary.

You can choose:

• Whether to join
• What support to accept
• Whether to continue

This makes WorkWell very different from some benefit-linked programmes, where participation may be a condition of receiving payments. WorkWell has no connection to benefit conditionality, joining or leaving the programme has no effect on any benefits you may receive.

Does WorkWell Affect Your Benefits?

No, not directly.

• You do not need to claim benefits to access WorkWell
• Joining the programme does not automatically affect your entitlements
• WorkWell is not a condition of any benefit, it is entirely separate from the benefits system

However, if you return to work or change your employment status as a result of the support you receive, this may impact your benefits separately, in line with standard UK benefit rules (for example, Universal Credit work allowances and tapers).

If you are concerned about how working might affect your benefits, the WorkWell team or a Jobcentre Plus work coach can advise on the interaction between employment and benefit entitlements.

Where is WorkWell Available in the UK (2026 Update)

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) launched the WorkWell pilot in October 2024.

Pilot Phase (2024–2026)

WorkWell launched across 15 pilot areas in England, selected through a competitive grant process:

1. Birmingham and Solihull
2. Black Country
3. Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire
4. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
5. Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
6. Coventry and Warwickshire
7. Frimley
8. Greater Manchester
9. Herefordshire and Worcestershire
10. Lancashire and South Cumbria
11. Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland
12. North Central London
13. North West London
14. South Yorkshire
15. Surrey Heartlands

Within the first 14 months, the pilot supported over 25,000 people across these areas.

Some pilot areas, including Greater Manchester and the Black Country, were specifically selected because they had some of the highest numbers of fit notes issued in England. “Fit note trailblazers” were also introduced in some pilot areas to test how the fit note process could be integrated with WorkWell, ensuring that people who are signed off work receive a work and health conversation and are signposted to local support services.

National Rollout

Following the success of the pilot, the government announced in January 2026 that WorkWell would be expanded to cover all of England:

• Backed by up to £259 million in investment over three years
• Expected to support up to 250,000 people
• Funding is available to all NHS Integrated Care Boards from April 2026 to enable existing pilot areas to continue and non-pilot ICBs to design new services
• Non-pilot ICBs are expected to begin delivery from November 2026
• Funding is allocated to each ICB based on the size of its working-age population, weighted by a need index that accounts for disability prevalence, unemployment, deprivation, health conditions, and benefit claimant rates
• The national expansion will be supported by a dedicated National Support Team operating from July 2026 through to March 2029

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden stated that the national rollout is expected to ease pressure on the NHS by ensuring more people get the health and work support they need through WorkWell rather than through GP appointments alone.

Important: WorkWell currently applies to England only (not UK-wide). Scotland, Wales, and Northern UK operate separate health and employment support systems.

WorkWell vs Fit Notes: What’s the Difference?

This is where most people make mistakes.

Fit Notes (Traditional System)

• Issued by a GP
• Focus on whether you’re “fit” or “not fit” for work
• Do not provide ongoing structured support

Read our detailed guide on what is a fit note in the UK.

WorkWell (New Approach)

• Multi-disciplinary support from work and health coaches, physiotherapists, counsellors, and employment specialists
• Proactive (early intervention before long-term absence develops)
• Focus on what helps you stay in work
• Ongoing coaching, intervention, and follow-up support
• Addresses physical, psychological, and social barriers together

WorkWell aims to reduce reliance on fit notes by offering earlier, practical support that prevents people from reaching the point where long-term sickness absence becomes the default outcome. The Keep Britain Working Review (November 2025) specifically highlighted that the fit note system is “not working as intended” and called it a “missed opportunity to get people the help they need.”

The government has stated it is committed to further reform of the fit note system so that it works better for patients, employers, and the health system. In some WorkWell pilot areas, fit note trailblazers have tested new approaches where the fit note conversation becomes a gateway into WorkWell support, rather than simply a sign-off process.

How Long Does WorkWell Support Last?

There’s no fixed duration.

Support depends on:

• Your health condition
• Your progress
• Local service availability

In practice, most people receive support until they can sustainably stay in or return to work. Some pilot areas (such as Lancashire and South Cumbria) have offered structured support for approximately 12 weeks, but this varies by location and individual need. There is no maximum time limit imposed nationally.

The WorkWell Prospectus published by GOV.UK in March 2026 confirms that there is no stipulated length of engagement or follow-up, this is left to the clinical and professional judgement of the local team.

WorkWell Results: What the Data Shows So Far

Early results give useful insight:

• 59% of participants were out of work at first contact
• 48% reported mental health as their main barrier

These figures highlight how important early mental health support is in preventing long-term absence. The high proportion of participants who reported mental health as their primary barrier aligns with broader NHS data showing that mental health and behavioural disorders are the most commonly cited condition category on fit notes.

A formal evaluation of the WorkWell programme is ongoing, with a final report expected in Autumn 2028.

How WorkWell Fits Into UK Welfare Reforms

WorkWell is not a standalone scheme. It forms part of a wider package of UK government reforms aimed at reducing economic inactivity and getting more people into work.

It’s part of a wider system including:

• Pathways to Work
• Connect to Work
• Jobcentre Plus support

Together, these aim to:

• Reduce long-term sickness
• Increase employment
• Improve public health outcomes

Benefits of the WorkWell Programme UK

For Individuals

• Faster access to health and employment support, without needing to navigate separate systems
• Personalised plans tailored to your specific condition and circumstances
• Better work-life balance through supported workplace adjustments
• Improved mental and physical wellbeing — evidence shows that appropriate work is itself protective against depression and physical deterioration
• Access to services you might not have known about (financial advice, housing, skills training)

For Employers

• Reduced sickness absenteeism and the associated costs (estimated at £120 per day in lost profit per absence)
• Better staff retention, keeping experienced employees instead of losing them to long-term sickness
• Practical support with workplace adjustments, including facilitated conversations with employees about their health needs
• Access to a trusted external service that can support return-to-work processes
• Reduced risk of employment tribunal claims related to disability discrimination or failure to make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010

For the NHS & Economy

• Reduced pressure on GPs , fewer unnecessary fit note appointments
• Fewer unnecessary fit notes, as people receive support before they reach the point of being signed off
• Lower long-term sickness rates, which reduces demand across NHS services
• Contribution to the government’s target of raising the UK employment rate to 80%, which would add approximately 2 million people to the workforce

Real Example (What This Means in Practice)

Imagine someone dealing with stress at work:

1. They speak to their GP about struggling at work
2. The GP refers them to WorkWell (or they self-refer after seeing information online or at their Jobcentre)
3. A Work and Health Coach conducts an assessment and identifies that mental health support, physiotherapy, and a conversation with their employer are all needed
4. The participant begins counselling sessions for anxiety, receives a short course of physiotherapy for their musculoskeletal condition, and the coach facilitates a meeting with their employer to discuss reasonable adjustments (such as a temporary reduction in physical tasks and flexible working hours)
5. Over the following weeks, the participant’s condition improves and they are able to continue working with the adjustments in place

In practice, this means they can stay in work instead of dropping out completely, avoiding the cycle of long-term sickness absence, loss of income, and deteriorating health that affects millions of people in the UK.

How to Apply for the WorkWell Programme UK

You can access WorkWell through:

1. Your GP
2. Jobcentre Plus
3. Your employer
4. Local NHS or council services
5. Self-referral (where available)

There’s no single route, just the one that’s easiest for you. Details of your local WorkWell service can usually be found on your NHS Integrated Care Board’s website.

Need a Sick Note or GP Advice?

If you’re struggling with work due to health issues, you may still need a fit note or GP assessment alongside WorkWell support. The two are not mutually exclusive, a fit note provides medical evidence for your employer and for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) purposes, while WorkWell provides practical, ongoing support to help you manage your condition and stay in or return to work.

If you can’t get a GP appointment quickly, you can get an online fit note after speaking to a registered online GP and getting assessed (often the same day) — without visiting a clinic.

Key Takeaways

WorkWell represents a major shift in the UK system.

Instead of asking:

“Are you fit for work?”

It focuses on:

“What support do you need to stay in work?”

That shift toward early, personalised, and joined-up support is what makes WorkWell one of the most important UK employment reforms in recent years.