This paper examines specific aspects of the debate that surrounds approaches to mental health care. It details examples of good practice within the context of current policy and research. The paper highlights an employment project called Way2Work which has been chosen for a number of reasons. Nationally, performance remains weak in this area despite the strong evidence base and the high need identified by service users for this kind of support. This particular example of good practice demonstrates what is possible using high levels of commitment, relatively small resources, and an assertive approach to partnership working. As a project based in a voluntary sector organisation it also highlights the financial insecurity that such services continue to face despite the value placed on them by their clients and the fact that successful uptake should produce whole system savings in terms of reduced dependency on statutory organisations. The paper concludes that commissioning organisations need a robust approach to performance monitoring that levels this playing field if voluntary sector services are truly to be encouraged to bring their capabilities much more into play in developing services that respond to need.