Table 2 Overview of identified themes and subthemes at the level of IPS client and employment specialist

 1.1 Importance of discussing client’s motivation and motives to work

Requires attention regularly

Various motives to work

 1.2 Facilitators to obtaining employment

IPS employment specialist’s crucial role

Employers’ inclusiveness

Client’s relevant work experience, competences and/ or skills^a

 1.3 Barriers to obtaining employment

Financial factors related to client (e.g. fear of financial decline)

Disclosure of client’s mental illness to employer

Client’s lack of self-confidence and/ or self-esteem^a

 1.4 Facilitators to maintaining employment

Disclosure of client’s impairments and needs towards employer

Positive atmosphere and culture within company

 1.5 Barriers to maintaining employment

Client’s mental health problems and susceptibility to stress

Financial factors related to employer (e.g. low wage)

 2.1 Facilitators to collaboration between stakeholders

Regular meetings^b

Committed contact persons within benefits agencies^b

 2.2 Barriers to benefits counselling

Employment specialist’s limited knowledge regarding benefits

Long response time of professionals within benefits agencies

Complex laws and legislation regarding social security

 2.3 Organizational barriers to IPS execution and collaboration between stakeholders

Lack of continuity^b

 2.4 Financial barriers to IPS execution

Inadequate IPS funding^b

Variation in follow-up support depending on psychiatrist^b

 2.5 Experiences with pay for performance element

Not aware of pay for performance element

Not an appropriate incentive

Logical that mental health agency receives extra payments^a

Does not influence employment specialist^b