Participation Plan: A new approach to work, health and disability
12/11/2026
Rethink Mental Illness is calling on the government to adopt a new approach to deciding what is reasonable to expect from people whose health affects their ability to work, and what support they should receive.
Our proposed Participation Plan comes as the government plans to abolish the Work Capability Assessment (WCA), and amid debate about how to support 1 million young people aged 16 to 24 who are not in education, employment or training.
What is the Participation Plan?
The Participation Plan would replace the role currently played by both the WCA and Universal Credit Claimant Commitment for people with health conditions and disabilities.
Instead of placing people into ‘fit for work’ or ‘not fit for work’ categories, it would create a personalised agreement setting out what participation is realistic, beneficial and safe.
Participation could include paid work, education, volunteering, community activity or recovery-focused activity.
Why does the current system need to change?
For people living with mental health conditions, engagement can be affected by fluctuating symptoms, housing insecurity, debt, poverty, long treatment waits, and unsuitable opportunities.
We believe sustainable employment is more likely when barriers are addressed and health is supported first. Our proposal would combine expectations for individuals with responsibilities for public services to provide agreed support.
What are we asking the government to do?
We want the government to adopt and implement the Participation Plan as a practical replacement for the WCA.
A new Local Participation Service would bring together employment specialists, clinicians, welfare advisers, peer support workers and housing specialists. We recommend piloting and independently evaluating the approach before wider rollout.
How is it different from a Universal Credit Claimant Commitment?
A Participation Plan would be co-produced with the individual and designed around five factors: time, health, personal objectives, the local labour market and wider barriers to participation.
Support would come first. If agreed support was not provided, the individual could not be penalised. Sanctions would remain possible, but only as a highly restricted last resort after extensive support, outreach and safeguards.
Who would be eligible?
The proposal is for people who are out of work on health or disability grounds. While our focus is ensuring the system works for people with mental health conditions, the approach could be extended to everyone out of work because of health or disability.
What if someone isn't ready for work?
Work would not be the only measure of progress. Plans could include learning, volunteering, community activity, recovery or preparing for employment. Requirements would pause when someone's health worsened.
People who engage with their plan but for whom sustained employment remains unrealistic could move onto a Protected Participation Route, with ongoing support and financial protection.
A chance to get the system right
The government has an opportunity to replace the WCA with a system that supports people towards recovery, participation and work where possible. The decisions it makes now could shape how people with health conditions and disabilities are supported for years to come.