Connect to Work

Supported employment in Monmouthshire focuses on placing people into work with long-term health conditions at the earliest opportunity and providing ongoing support to help them succeed. Connect to Work is a voluntary 12-month programme. Participants cannot be mandated to join Connect to Work.

Participants

Supported employment combines job-seeking and employment support, ensuring that you can start working quickly while receiving the necessary assistance to overcome barriers. This will not only help you find employment but will also empower you to maintain your job and thrive in the workplace.

Participant Journey

Connect to Work is a voluntary programme following the five step Supported Employment model to help you find and thrive in paid work.

  1. Engagement: Informal initial meetings to discuss the programme, suitable and eligibility. Consider if now is the right time for Connect to Work.
  2. Vocational Profiling: An in-depth look at skills, abilities and barriers. This ensures participants can identify their strengths, aspirations and support they need.
  3. Employer Engagement: Employment Specialists connect with local employers to create and promote opportunities for participants.
  4. Job Matching: Support to match participants with suitable and meaningful jobs. We discuss any additional support, adjustments or measures needed for a person to start and sustain work.
  5. Continued Support: Support to start and retain employment. Regular meetings with the participant and employer to discuss progress, areas to develop and support needed. This support can last for four months from the participants start date.

What to Expect

  1. 12 months of support from the date of signing up
  2. Zero exclusion if you meet the suitability and eligibility criteria.
  3. Local meetings with an Employment Specialist
  4. Personalised support and vocational profiling
  5. Structured support that follows the supported employment model.
  6. Employer engagement to support you to explore sustainable employment
  7. Support during transition into work

Eligibility

  • Aged 16+ and have the right to work in the UK.
  • Not accessing a DWP employment programme (e.g. RESTART).
  • Long-term health condition or disability or in one of the disadvantaged groups. More information is available on our website.
  • Economically inactive or unemployed due to disability or health.
  • Working or self-employed for at least three months and struggling to sustain this due to disability or health condition.
  • Struggle to retain or sustain work due to health condition or disability.
  • Benefit from comprehensive tailored support and/or help with integrating into the workplace or flexibility from an employer.
  • Motivated to participate in the programme.

Employers

Connect to Work Monmouthshire is an opportunity for employers to start, or build upon, their disability and wider inclusion strategies through access to Supported Employment specialists who will guide you towards having a more accessible workplace by supporting disabled people, those with health conditions and those with complex barriers to employment.

Our Employment Specialists work with our Employment Liaison Officer and the wider team to develop links with local businesses. We can offer a range of training and support to your business by linking you to our wider team.

For more information, view our Employer Guide

Partners

If you would like to refer a participant, complete our Triage Form. It is important to fill out an information you have about possible safeguarding concerns or MAPPAs. Employment & Skills staff will need to find out further information on MAPPA or safeguarding concerns before a participant is allocated to an Employment Specialist.

  • If you are working with someone who would like additional information on Connect to Work before making a referral, please email one of our Employment Specialists.
  • Alternatively, we can host informal, awareness sessions for participants. This will provide an opportunity to ask any questions before making a referral.
  • We are running the IPS strand of Connect to Work from June 2026 onwards. The SEQF strand will run from April 2027 onwards.

For more information, view our Partners Guide