Connect to Work is a voluntary programme for individuals in Greater Essex who are not currently in paid work, or at risk of dropping out of work, and fall into one or more of the following groups:

• disabled, with a disability or a long-term health condition, as defined in the Equality Act 2010 
• part of a specified disadvantaged group with complex needs that would benefit from extra support. This includes: 
  
  • offenders or ex-offenders 
  • carers or ex-carers 
  • homeless people 
  • veterans 
  • people with current or previous drug or alcohol dependency 
  • care experienced young person or a care leaver 
  • refugees, a resettled Afghan 
  • people on a Homes for Ukraine scheme 
  • survivors of domestic abuse 
  • young people identified as being involved or at risk of being involved in serious violence 
  • victims of modern slavery 

Aligned with IPS or SEQF supported employment frameworks, the free support provided to Connect to Work participants includes:

• personalised one-to-one support with an employment specialist
• training opportunities
• help with job searching and applications
• job carving and matching
• in-work support for up to 12 months after employment
• health and wellbeing support

Operating on a zero-exclusion basis for those who are eligible, Connect to Work seeks to offer free, flexible, and confidential support to help residents build a future in employment.

The delivery partners for the Connect to Work Programme in Greater Essex are Essex Cares Limited, Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, and Shaw Trust.