Connect to Work

Connect to Work is a UK government-funded programme supporting people who face barriers to employment. It helps people with disabilities, health conditions, or complex needs to access and sustain paid work. Delivered in partnership with local authorities and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the programme focuses on placing people in to real jobs and long-term success, with ongoing training whilst in work.

What you can expect

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - For Individuals Accessing the Service

What is this service?

We provide free, confidential support to help people manage health-related barriers to work, remain in employment, or successfully return to work. Our support is tailored to your individual needs and circumstances.

Can I refer myself?

Yes. You can refer yourself directly to the service if you meet the eligibility criteria.

Can I refer if I am still working and attending work?

Yes. You do not need to be off work to access support. Many people use the service while they are still working but experiencing difficulties related to their health, wellbeing, or workplace situation.

Will you contact my employer if I self-refer?

No. We will not contact your employer without your knowledge and consent, unless there is a serious concern about your safety or the safety of others.

Will information from our sessions be shared with my employer or anyone else?

No. The support we provide is confidential. Information would only be shared if there are concerns regarding your safety or the safety of others, or where we are legally required to do so. Wherever possible, we would discuss this with you first.

Do appointments have to be face-to-face?

No. We can offer support in a variety of ways, including telephone, video call, and face-to-face appointments, depending on your needs and availability.

Do you carry out home visits?

In some circumstances, home visits may be considered where they are appropriate and safe to do so. Please discuss your situation with your Employment Specialist.

Can I refer if I already have workplace adjustments in place?

Yes. Having adjustments in place does not prevent you from accessing support. We can help review whether your existing adjustments are working effectively and explore any further support that may be beneficial.

Can I access the service if my employer already uses Occupational Health?

Yes. Occupational Health and our service offer different types of support and can work alongside each other. We focus on practical employment support and helping you achieve your work-related goals.

Will you meet with my employer?

We can help you prepare for meetings, support discussions about health and work, and in some circumstances attend initial meetings with you. However, we are not an advocacy service and may signpost you to specialist advocacy services where appropriate.

Can I access support if I have been out of work for a long time?

Possibly. We would be happy to discuss your circumstances and identify whether our service is the most suitable option. In some cases, alternative services such as Connect to Work may provide more appropriate support.

Can I get support if I am not ready to return to work right now?

Yes. If your goal is to work towards employment or a return to work in the coming months, we can help you address barriers and build confidence at a pace that feels right for you.

What sort of support can I receive?

Support may include:

• · Managing health conditions alongside work
• · Return-to-work planning
• · Workplace adjustment discussions
• · Confidence building
• · Advice on work-related wellbeing
• · Job retention support
• · Liaison with employers (with your agreement)
• · Signposting to relevant services and resources

Is the service free?

Yes. There is no charge for individuals accessing the service.

How long can I receive support?

The length of support varies depending on your individual needs and goals. Your Employment Specialist will discuss this with you during your initial appointments.

What's the difference between Working Well and Connect to Work?

Generally, Working Well focuses on supporting people to stay in work, return to work, or manage health-related challenges affecting employment. Connect to Work is often more suitable for individuals who are currently unemployed and require more intensive support to gain employment. If you are unsure which service is right for you, we can discuss your situation and help identify the most appropriate option.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - For Employers

How can our organisation benefit from working with you?

Supporting employee wellbeing and retention can help reduce:

• Sickness absence
• Staff turnover
• Recruitment costs
• Workplace stress

We help employees remain productive and engaged while supporting employers to create sustainable solutions.

What support can you offer our employees?

We can provide:

• One-to-one confidential support
• Return-to-work planning
• Advice regarding workplace adjustments
• Support around health and wellbeing barriers
• Guidance on maintaining employment
• Signposting to specialist services where appropriate

We already have an HR department. Can we still refer employees?

Yes. Our service complements existing HR and Occupational Health provision and provides additional personalised support for employees.

We already have Occupational Health. Is your service still relevant?

Yes. Occupational Health and our service provide different types of support. We can work alongside existing services to help employees apply recommendations and overcome practical barriers to remaining in or returning to work.

Will you share information about employees with us?

Only with the employee's consent, unless there are exceptional safeguarding or legal reasons that require information sharing.

Can managers make referrals?

Yes, where the employee agrees. We also encourage self-referrals to ensure individuals are fully engaged in the support process.

Is there a cost to employers?

No. Support is provided free of charge where eligibility criteria are met.

Can you advise on workplace adjustments?

Yes. We can support discussions around reasonable adjustments and help employees and employers consider practical solutions that support positive work outcomes.

Can you provide advocacy for employees?

No. We are not an advocacy service. However, we can help employees prepare for workplace meetings and signpost them to appropriate advocacy providers where needed.