iX Challenge: Mental Health Management Competence for construction / infrastructure managers and teams
The Innovation Exchange is supporting the Infrastructure Industry Innovation Partnership (i3P) to connect with innovators that can provide engaging and practical ways of offering guidance to construction/infrastructure managers and teams (including office-based and on-site management) on preventative measures which reduce the effects of work-related stress. EDF is leading this initiative along with other i3P client and supply chain members.
The Innovation Exchange is supporting the Infrastructure Industry Innovation Partnership (i3P) to connect with innovators that can provide engaging and practical ways of offering guidance to construction/infrastructure managers and teams (including office-based and on-site management) on preventative measures which reduce the effects of work-related stress.
Established in 2016, the Infrastructure Industry Innovation Partnership (i3P) is a community of client and supply chain organisations that have committed to delivering collaborative innovation through projects supported by an extensive network of experts and innovators and world-leading industry knowledge that will drive the future transformation of the infrastructure and construction industry.
The construction industry has a high rate of work absences due to poor mental health, particularly work-related stress. This impacts the employees in terms of their quality of life and impacts the productivity of the construction company. Sadly, the industry has some of the worst rates of suicide in the UK, with male construction workers being 2.7 times more likely to die from suicide than the average person. Not only does poor mental health impact an employee, but it affects their colleagues, friends, family and the business.
Challenge
Supervisors and managers who manage other construction workers often don’t have access to the resources they need to offer support to the individuals in their team.
They often don’t have the skills or experience to deal with this type of situation. There are various training options around (e.g Mates in Mind, Mental health first aid) but we are seeking innovative approaches to enhance the learning of Site Supervisors/Managers, to enable them to have the competence and confidence to create a positive workplace for employee mental health. This can be through simulations, virtual or augmented reality or gaming to enable people to learn by doing, but in a safe environment.
HSE has developed management standards with a framework of competencies through its Line Manager Competency Tool. A version of the management standards has been developed into a Talking Toolkit which recommends how stress conversations could be had within construction.
It is important to increase the awareness and use of evidence-based existing resources that exist with an emphasis on the prevention of work-related mental health issues.
Functional Requirements
Following a successful pitch to the i3P review panel, the solution will be shared with all members of the i3P community to identify sites where it could potentially be trialled. The aim will be to demonstrate that it provides the support required to peoples managers and shows measurable improvements in positive mental health for construction/infrastructure sites.
Technical Requirements
The solution should offer a variety of engaging and practical ways to provide guidance to site supervisors/managers on preventative measures which reduce the effects of work-related stress which may take the form of podcasts, visualisation tools and apps, well-being forums etc.
The solution should provide advice on positive mental health from well-being in the workplace point of view i.e. layman’s terms, not medical. Gamification, recognising the nature of the challenge, is encouraged.
Operating Conditions
The solution should be accessible at construction sites with no access to computers i.e. a mobile solution.
It should consider that not everyone on site will speak English as their first language.
The solution should offer a way for construction companies to measure the impact the tool is delivering, such as the number of interactions, reduced number of work absences due to stress, etc.
The solution should be maintained to ensure that access to the latest advice and resources is available. A monthly update will be required.
Cost Requirement & Market Opportunity
Applicants should provide ballpark costs for their proposed solution(s).
Out of Scope
- Training courses are not in scope. The solution should offer ‘learning by doing’.
- The solution should offer well-being advice. It should not replace qualified medical advice.