Support for work
Getting ready for work and starting a new role can feel challenging if you have additional needs. You might need extra time, adjustments or guidance to feel confident. There are different types of support available to help you prepare, find the right job and settle in. This support can make a big difference to your experience and help you succeed.
An Access to Work grant can pay for practical support to help you start or stay at work if you have a disability or health condition including mental health. You can read more on our Access to work fund page.
There are also different people who can help, including Job Coaches. Your Job Coach may apply for the Work and Health Programme. This can help you find and keep a job if you are out of work and disabled or a care leaver. It will match your skills to work that is available and support to manage health problems that impact on work.
About Community Employment Hubs
Community Employment Hubs give free help to find work. They can build your confidence and may help you find money to help take the next step. They match you with the right support for your needs.
They are part of Step Up Somerset. This includes extra support for SEND. It also runs the Connect to Work scheme. This helps disabled people, people with health conditions and those facing big barriers to work find jobs they can keep.
Discovery – Support for Employment
Discovery – Support for Employment provide services for adults with a learning difficulty who want to find and keep a job or become self-employed.
They help with:
- Vocational profiling and CV development
- Job searching and filling in applications.
- Interview skills and support
- Job Coaching
- Regular review and maintenance
Debbie explains more about what Discovery do and how you can access their support as part of the October 2022 Local Offer Live sessions (YouTube).
Skill Up Somerset – Apprenticeship and Skills Advisory Service
You can find free impartial advice and guidance about Apprenticeships and Supported Employment on the Skill Up Somerset website.
Find out more about what Skill Up Somerset do and how you can access their support in the video below.
Jobcentre Plus
Jobcentre Plus will support Universal Credit, New Style Jobseekers Allowance and Employment Support Allowance claimants to take steps to find work or get closer to the labour market depending on circumstances. There is a range of provisions available to help newly unemployed and those out of the labour market for a while, back into work. You can find out more on the GOV.UK – Contact Jobcentre Plus page.
Commuting
It is important to think about how you will get to your workplace, and maybe travel around within your job. Even though you will earn money working, it can also create extra costs for you but there is support through Access to Work. There are certain types of work that you may do whilst claiming health or disability related benefits.