Objectives Improving fitness for employment in workless individuals with health problems requires effective vocational rehabilitation programmes. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a Condition Management Programme (CMP) in improving the health and functional capacity of workless individuals with health problems and increasing their potential for work. The CMP is based on the biopsychosocial model and assisted clients receiving Incapacity Benefit (IB).

Methods Validated measures of health, wellbeing and functional capacity were recorded pre and post-intervention and subjected to multivariate statistical analysis. Socio-demographic data, past-employment history, and client and Condition Manager (CM) characteristics were included in the analysis.

Results Overall 2016 clients registered in the programme during the study period. The major health issue reported was mental health (62.8%), followed by musculoskeletal (26.4%). Overall, the completion rate was 28.5% and varied by condition. Programme completion was predominantly associated with significantly increased wellbeing, as documented from the health assessment scores. Pre-assessment, 73.6% of clients were anxious and/or depressed; while post-assessment this decreased to 32.5%. Several variables were investigated for associations with client completion rates, for example, practitioners' and client characteristics. Results show that practitioner's age, gender and occupational history can influence the outcome. The client characteristics associated with completion include age; deprivation category; and health condition.

Conclusions This study identified the factors that influence the effectiveness of the CMP vocational rehabilitation programme. Consideration of these factors could potentially improve the design of future vocational rehabilitation interventions for the long-term workless with health problems, leading to improved health and increased functional capacity for work.