Connect to Work
Connect to Work is a Government-funded employment support programme that helps disabled people, people with health conditions, and individuals facing complex barriers to employment find and sustain work. Delivered locally across England and Wales, it provides personalised support from dedicated employment advisers and forms part of the Government's wider Pathways to Work programme.
Relevance to Adult Social Care
While not specifically an adult social care programme, Connect to Work can support the sector by helping more people overcome barriers to employment and enter roles in areas experiencing workforce shortages, including care and support services. It can also help existing employees remain in work where health conditions or disabilities may otherwise put their employment at risk.
Key objectives
- Increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities and health conditions
- Support people facing multiple and complex barriers to employment
- Help participants secure sustainable work
- Reduce economic inactivity
- Support individuals to remain in employment where appropriate
How the programme works
Participants receive support from a dedicated employment adviser who:
- Helps identify career goals and employment opportunities
- Provides personalised vocational profiling and employment support
- Works with employers to create inclusive recruitment opportunities
- Supports participants when starting work and while they remain in employment
- Provides both job-entry support and in-work retention support
Key benefits
...for Adult Social Care providers
- Access to a wider and more diverse talent pool
- Opportunities to recruit people who may otherwise face barriers to employment
- Support for inclusive recruitment practices
- Assistance for existing employees who may be at risk of leaving work due to health conditions or disabilities
...for individuals
- Personalised employment support
- Help overcoming barriers to work
- Ongoing support after starting employment
- Improved opportunities to access fulfilling and sustainable careers, including roles in care and support
