We help to deliver Connect to Work in:
Many people want to work but face complex barriers such as health conditions or disabilities.
Connect to Work is a new programme funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that provides joined‑up employment, health and skills support. It is designed to help people find work, and to help those already in work who are at risk of losing their job to stay in or return to employment.
We provide advice and guidance to:
- Individuals seeking support
- Employers who want inclusive recruitment support
- Organisations working with people who face barriers to employment
Eligibility
To be eligible for Connect to Work, you must meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Have a disability or long-term health condition
- Be an offender or ex-offender
- Be a carer or former carer
- Be experiencing homelessness
- Be an Armed Forces veteran or current member of the Armed Forces
- Have a drug or alcohol dependency, or a history of dependency that presents a barrier to employment
- Be a care-experienced young person or care leaver
- Be a refugee, including resettled Afghans and people on the Ukrainian scheme
- Be a victim or survivor of domestic abuse
- Be a young person involved in, or at risk of, serious violence
- Be a victim of modern slavery
Suitability
To be suitable for Connect to Work, you must:
- Be aged 18 or over
- Be motivated to find paid employment
- Not be participating in another DWP employment programme
- Be unemployed, or currently employed but at risk of losing your job
Support for Individuals
You will be paired with a dedicated employment specialist who will work closely with you to identify suitable job opportunities that fit your lifestyle and health requirements.
- Fast-track job search focused on finding the right role for you
- Skills and abilities assessment for a personalised job plan
- Expert CV writing tailored to your career goals
- Guidance on benefits and financial support
- Advice for those considering self-employment
- Collaboration with healthcare professionals to prioritise your wellbeing
- Support for carers
- Employer engagement to ensure your needs are understood
- Acting as an intermediary with potential employers
- Interview coaching and career advice
Referral Organisations and Employers
If you work with clients, patients, or employees who need help finding, returning, or staying in work, Connect to Work offers a structured programme to support them and you.
- Rapid job search assistance
- Skills-based job matching
- CV review and optimisation
- Benefits and self-employment advice
- Health-focused employment planning
- Employer liaison and advocacy
- Interview preparation
- Ongoing support once employment begins
Connect to Work in your Community
Connect to Work – Staffordshire
Personalised support in Staffordshire to help people with complex barriers build confidence and find or return to work.
Connect to Work – Stoke-on-Trent
Personalised support in Stoke-on-Trent to help people with complex barriers build confidence and find or return to work.
Connect to Work – Burnley & the Ribble Valley
Personalised support in Burnley & the Ribble Valley to help people with complex barriers build confidence and find or return to work.
Connect to Work – Sheffield and Rotherham
Personalised support in Sheffield for ex-offenders and people on probation and in Rotherham for refugees to help people find or return to work.
Connect to Work – Wirral
Personalised support in Wirral to help people with complex barriers build confidence and find or return to work.
How Can Connect to Work Help You?
Connect to Work FAQs
Connect to Work is for people who want to find paid employment and are ready to start taking active steps towards work. If you're motivated to begin your job search within the next four weeks, our Employment Specialists can support you every step of the way.
You'll receive personalised employment support based on your goals, skills and experience. This can include help with job searching, CV writing, interview preparation, confidence building, contacting employers, and support once you've started work.
Yes. Whether you've been unemployed for a few months or several years, your Employment Specialist will work with you to identify suitable opportunities and help you build the skills and confidence needed to move into employment.
Connect to Work is for people who are ready to start actively job searching within the next four weeks. You'll be expected to engage regularly with your Employment Specialist, attend agreed appointments, and actively seek employment with tailored support throughout your journey.
Support doesn't stop when you start work. Your Employment Specialist can continue to provide in-work support to help you settle into your role, overcome challenges, and build long-term employment success.