What is
connect
to work?
Connect to Work is a voluntary programme funded by the UK Government to support disabled people or people with health conditions, and individuals with complex barriers to move into and maintain employment. It also provides support to people in work, but at risk of losing their employment, helping them to retain their jobs.
Connect to Work is a Supported Employment ‘place, train and maintain’ programme. This means it will bring together vocational profiling, employer engagement, job finding, and on and off the job support for participants.
Employers will also be supported to take on participants. It will also provide tailored self-employment support where appropriate. Supported Employment uses the Individual Placement and Support or Supported Employment Quality Framework fidelity models. It is based on evidence and proven to help people gain or retain employment.
Backed by investment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Connect to Work will deliver tailored, localised support across Croydon, Kingston, Merton, Richmond, and Sutton.
Connect to Work will be delivered in Croydon by Ingeus, while residents in Kingston, Merton and Sutton will be supported by specialist delivery partners Mencap, Working Well Trust and Twining Hestia. The programme is commissioned by Croydon Council, acting as the Accountable Body on behalf of the South London Partnership, with Richmond Council delivering support to residents in Richmond.
The initiative will provide voluntary, personalised, and flexible support, including one-to-one coaching, job matching, and in-work support for both participants and employers.
What support
is available?
Participants on the programme will receive specialist one-to-one support from a dedicated Employment Specialist including:
Help to identify and approach employers and roles that match your skills, preferences and goals
Supporting you with your CV, cover letters, and job applications
Help you navigate how employment may affect your benefits and finances, receiving support to make informed decisions about work and income
Working in partnership with your existing support network
Ongoing in-work support and coaching to help you settle into work, manage challenges, maintain wellbeing and progress in your role
If you are interested in receiving support through Connect to Work, please use the link on this page and the Connect to Work team will be in touch to see how we can help.
Who is
it for?
Residents who are suitable for Connect to Work Programme should:
Be 18 or over
Not on a DWP funded programme
Be unemployed, or employed but at risk of losing your job
Have a health condition or disability or have one of the following apply:
An offender who is serving a community service, or ex-offender who has completed a custodial or community sentence
A carer or an ex-carer
A homeless person
A former member of His Majesty’s Armed Forces, a member of HM AF reserves, or a partner of current or former Armed Forces personnel
A person for whom a drug or alcohol dependency, presenting a significant barrier to employment
Care experienced young person or a care leaver
A refugee
A resettled Afghan
A person on the Ukrainian scheme
A victim of domestic abuse
Young people identified as being involved or at risk of being involved in serious violence
A victim of modern slavery.