Supported employment programme launching across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay

A new employment scheme is being launched in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay to help support almost 6,000 people into work over the next five years.

The Connect to Work programme, backed by £22.7 million from the UK Government’s Get Britain Working Programme, is being led and delivered by the three local authorities to ensure support reflects local priorities and reaches the people who need it most. It will improve access to employment, health and skills support, and help reduce economic inactivity across the region.

This supported employment programme is designed to support disabled people, those with health conditions, and those facing other complex barriers, to move into paid sustainable employment.

Participants who take part in the voluntary initiative will be supported by a dedicated specialist employment adviser who will:

• Work with them to understand their career goals;
• Provide tailored support to participants based on their health and employment needs, and address specific barriers;
• Support people to talk with prospective employers, removing the need to go through complex application processes;
• Provide ongoing support to employers and participants after starting a job to ensure long-term success.

Connect to Work is due to go live in Plymouth this month (November), and will then be rolled out in Devon and Torbay in December. The Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority retains a strategic role in the project, working to align activity with the wider ambitions of the Get Devon, Plymouth and Torbay Working Plan and strengthen coordination across the area.

Councillor Sally Cresswell, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships at Plymouth City Council, said: “Connect to Work is an exciting opportunity for Plymouth, which will help break down the barriers that prevent many of our residents from accessing meaningful employment.

“By offering tailored support and creating new roles for people with lived experience, we’re not only helping individuals into work – we are building a more inclusive and resilient workforce for our city and local employers.

“This will build on our existing activity developing inclusive employment pathways, such as our supported internship programme which has been co-produced and is successfully helping young people with special educational needs and disabilities into work.”

Councillor Chris Lewis, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Place Development and Economic Growth at Torbay Council, said: “The Connect to Work programme will provide valuable support to residents in Torbay who are facing complex barriers to accessing or staying in employment, helping to empower them with the skills and personalised support they need to fulfil their potential and thrive.

“By working together with local partners and organisations to deliver the programme we can help to enable more inclusive employment pathways, creating stronger futures for our communities and supporting local economic growth.”

Devon County Council is the lead authority on the programme working in partnership with Plymouth City Council and Torbay Council.

Connect to Work in Devon

Devon will deliver the programme through a combination of in-house expertise and commissioned services to ensure broad coverage and specialist support. It’s aiming to support almost 3,000 people in the Devon County Council area through the programme.

Those wishing to access the programme in Devon can do so via existing Employment and Youth Hubs which are located across the authority area, with further centres due to open to provide greater geographical coverage and access. They provide in-person support and information about different career options, jobs and learning opportunities to adults and young people in Devon.

Skilled advisors will help individuals to identify whether Connect to Work is right for them and provide support to access their nearest and most appropriate provider. If Connect to Work is not the right choice, individuals will receive advice and guidance on a range of alternatives to help them progress into employment or further education and training.

Connect to Work in Plymouth

Over the coming five years, Plymouth City Council will recruit more than 30 staff, including employment specialists, peer support apprentices and support staff, to help around 2,100 people find, maintain and thrive in well-matched employment.

The new team will be based at the Council’s new city centre skills hub, on the first floor of Cobourg House in Mayflower Street, alongside Skills Launchpad Plymouth, Careers Plymouth and On Course South West. The hub will serve as a one-stop shop for skills, training and employment support, enabling referrals as appropriate between each of the services to ensure residents receive the holistic wraparound support they need.

The support offered by Connect to Work is optional, and eligible residents will be able to self-refer to the programme. Plymouth City Council will also work closely with local organisations and charities who can refer people for the support on offer, and proactively engage with local employers to enable more inclusive employment pathways.

Connect to Work in Torbay

The programme is aiming to help over 800 people in Torbay to access employment and stay in work. There will also be support available for employers and businesses through the programme, which will help them to adopt more inclusive recruitment practices, access advice and toolkits, and create more flexible and sustainable opportunities for local residents.

More information about the programme in Torbay will be available when a provider has been appointed. They will work closely with Torbay Council, charities, employers and other local organisations to deliver the programme locally.

For more information on how to access support in the Devon County Council area please visit our Connect to Work webpages. If you’re in Plymouth it is www.plymouth.gov.uk/connect-work-supported-employment-programme and in Torbay go to https://www.torbay.gov.uk/connect-to-work