Connect to Work
Learn about our programme to support people who are finding it hard to start or stay in work due to health conditions, a disability, or other barriers.
What is Connect to Work
Connect to Work is a voluntary programme which provides personalised one-to-one support to people who face challenges in securing or staying in employment.
Participants who are not currently working will receive:
- help to identify their personal skills, strengths, and aspirations
- support to address barriers that are holding them back from achieving their employment goals
Support will also be provided with job searching and interview preparation. When work is found, we'll provide help to prepare and settle clients, to ensure the best chance of success in their new role.
Participants who are already working and are at risk of losing their jobs will receive support to help them retain their employment.
Our team understands that starting on a new journey can be challenging. They will get to know a client, work at a pace that suits them, and make the clients' goals their own, providing support at all stages of the journey.
We can also join up health and employment needs to ensure the required support is provided.
Who is eligible for Connect to Work
To be eligible for in and out of work support, clients must:
- be living in Brighton & Hove
- be aged 18 or over
- have the right to live and work in the UK
They also must be in one of the following groups:
- disabled people, people with a disability or a long-term health condition
- members of a group that may need extra support (see the list below)
Groups that may need extra support
- ex Armed Forces, including reserves, or partners of current or former Armed Forces personnel
- people with a history of drug and alcohol dependency, presenting as a barrier to employment
- care-experienced young people or care leavers
- refugees
- resettled Afghans
- people on the Ukrainian scheme
- victims/survivors of domestic abuse
- young people identified as being involved (or at risk of being involved) in serious violence
- victims of modern slavery
- homeless people
- carers or ex-carers
To be eligible, clients must have been unemployed for around 6 months or in work for around 4 months.
How to express your interest in joining the Connect to Work programme
To check if Connect to Work is the right programme or to check your eligibility, complete the expression of interest form, and we'll contact you.
An expression of interest can be made by:
- an individual
- an advocate
- a support service
- an employer
The person who would receive the help must consent to the submission.
Brighton & Hove City Council are working in partnership with West Sussex County Council to deliver Connect to Work, so you will see reference to West Sussex County Council when you apply. Read the Connect to Work Privacy Notice on the West Sussex County Council website.
All support for Brighton & Hove residents will be provided in the city.
What happens after submitting an expression of interest
After the expression of interest has been submitted, a summary of the responses provided will be generated by the system. We'll contact you to confirm what happens next.
If you are not eligible for Connect to Work, we'll explain why and provide information about other services or support available.
If you are eligible for Connect to Work, you will be invited to meet a friendly adviser to discuss your expression of interest.
This is a voluntary programme, and submitting an expression of interest is not a commitment to participate in or be accepted on the programme.
