Connect To Work

WHAT IS CONNECT TO WORK?

Connect to Work is a voluntary supported employment programme funded by the UK Government to help people overcome barriers to work. Aimed at individuals with disabilities, health conditions, or complex personal challenges, the programme provides tailored support to move into meaningful employment. 

It also offers help to those already in work but at risk of losing their job, ensuring they can remain in secure and sustainable employment as part of the wider Get Britain Working strategy.

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has been awarded funding by The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help support residents across all 6 local authority areas (Halton, Knowsley, St Helens, Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral).

Connect to Work delivers integrated work, health, and skills support through the supported employment “place, train, and maintain” model to assist individuals in obtaining and keeping employment. The programme will offer two models of support: the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model and the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF).

FOR LCR RESIDENTS/JOBSEEKERS

  • Provides personalised, one-to-one support from Employment Specialists who recognise your individual strengths, circumstances, and goals. 
  • Brings together employment, health, and skills support, working closely with you to understand your needs and helping employers make the most of your abilities. 
  • Explores training, skills development, and local services that can improve your confidence and readiness for work. 

For more information about Connect to Work and how we can support you in your employment journey please contact us at: [email protected]

FOR EMPLOYERS

If you are an employer interested in partnering with Connect to Work – whether to fill vacancies, retain staff, or strengthen your workforce – Connect to Work can help. 

Connect to Work: 

  • Gives you access to a broad talent pool of motivated individuals who may be underrepresented in the workforce and benefit from tailored, locally delivered support. 
  • Reduces the time and expense associated with recruiting and onboarding the right people. 
  • Supports you in developing a more inclusive and diverse workforce. 
  • Helps you reach candidates who are eager and committed to contributing to your business. 
  • Can enhance employee retention and loyalty through ongoing support. 

For more information about Connect to Work and how we can support you as an employer please contact us at: [email protected]

FOR SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS

  • Do you support people who want to work, can work but need the right help to make that happen? 
  • Would the people you are supporting benefit from one-to-one support in their local community? 
  • Do you want to work in partnership with our dedicated Connect to Work staff members to best fit the needs of your clients? 
  • Connect to Work helps the people you are working with move forward in their employment journey, let’s make that happen! 

If you are a support organisation looking to refer on behalf of someone you are working with or want to work collaboratively with Connect to Work, please contact us at: [email protected]

ELIGIBILITY

Below is an overview of the eligibility criteria for joining the Connect to Work programme.

  • People with disabilities or long-term health conditions
  • Offenders and ex-offenders
  • Carers and ex-carers
  • Homeless people
  • Armed Forces veterans and current Armed Forces personnel
  • People with drug or alcohol dependencies and history of dependency presenting a barrier to employment
  • Care experienced young people and care leavers
  • Refugees (resettled Afghans and people on the Ukrainian scheme)
  • Victims and survivors of domestic abuse
  • Young people involved in or at risk of serious violence
  • Victims of modern slavery.

SUITABILITY

  • Aged 18+
  • Live in the Liverpool City Region (Halton, Knowsley, St Helens, Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral)
  • Motivated to find paid employment
  • Not on any other DWP provision e.g. Restart
  • Not currently in employment 
  • Currently employed but at risk of losing employment

COST

 There is no cost for jobseekers, employers or support organisations.

BENEFITS CALCULATOR

Our benefits calculator helps you quickly understand what support you may be entitled to.

By answering a few simple questions about your circumstances, you can get an estimate of the benefits and financial support available to you. The calculator is free, easy to use, and designed to give you clear, confidential guidance, helping you make informed decisions and plan your next steps with confidence.

PLEASE NOTE: The information you provide to be used to complete the Benefits Calculator is based upon your information. You have therefore given consent for the calculation to be carried out. We cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy of the Benefits Calculator results if any of the information supplied is incomplete or incorrect.

GENERAL ENQUIRIES

If you have a general enquiry about Connect to Work, please email: [email protected]

To find out what personal data we hold about you, how we collect it, how we use it, and how we may share it please read the following privacy notice: https://api.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/CtW_Privacy-Notice_V1_011025.docx