Connect to Work

About Connect to WorkWork 

Connect to WorkWork, part of Pathways to Work, is thea firstvoluntary, locally programmecommissioned, underSupported theEmployment programme. It provides Government’sintensive, newholistic Getsupport Britainfor Workingpeople Strategy.

Connectwho are disabled, have long-term health conditions or complex non-health related barriers to Workwork. willParticipants do not need to be aon voluntary,benefits high-fidelityand SupportedConnect Employmentto programme,Work connectingsupports work,both healthpeople who are keen to find work and skillsindividuals supportwho acrossare in work but at risk of falling out of work as a result of their condition or barrier.  

Connect to Work covers all of England and Wales.Wales, with Itthe exception of the Greater Manchester Mayoral Combined Authority area, which will be deliveredusing viatheir grantsConnect acrossto 43Work clustersfunding ofto pilot their LocalPrevention AuthoritiesDemonstrator inthrough Englandtheir andIntegrated fourSettlement.  

In clustersEngland, inseven Established Wales.Mayoral InStrategic addition,Authorities areas (EMSAs) are receiving their Connect to Work funding through Integrated Settlements for supportedMayoral employmentCombined placesAuthorities.

Finding local inConnect Greaterto ManchesterWork andareas 

You Westcan Midlandsfind Combinedthe AuthoritiesConnect willto beWork includeddelivery areas in Annex D of the newGrant IntegratedGuidance Settlementor fromin 2025the to‘Find 2026.

Leadyour LocalConnect Authoritiesto (AccountableWork Bodiesservice’ document, forwhich provides the programme)direct willlinks leadto theinformation designpublished ofby local authorities about their localConnect offer,to shapedWork aroundprogramme. These links help you find details about how Connect to Work is delivered in each local servicesarea and priorities,how to helpapply peopleor help someone make a referral. Employers keen to support Connect to Work can also find andhelpful fulfilcontacts for their potentiallocal toarea work.through these links. 

Some local Connect to Work willprogrammes supportare those,not primarily,yet currentlyopen outsidefor theParticipants. workforceWhere andthis facingis greaterthe labourcase, marketthe disadvantages,document towill getprovide intoinformation workabout andwhen tothe stayprogramme inis work.expected to begin providing support.  

InWe 2026will be updating the document monthly, until all areas are open (the document includes its publication date). You may find it helpful to 2027,check acrossthe Englandwebsite andfor Wales,the lead Connect to Work fundingauthority willfor supportyour aroundarea 100,000in disabledbetween people,these peopletimes; withthe healthdocument conditionsconfirms andthe thoselead withauthority complexfor barrierseach toarea. employmentAll toinformation helpis themcorrect getat intothe andtime onof in work.publication. 

Grant GuidanceGuidance 

This Grant Guidance provides detailed policy and delivery information to support Connect to Work Accountablelead Bodiesauthorities (working(Accountable withBodies) local partners and the Department for Work and Pensions) to developdeliver their own local Connect to Work offers, working with local partners and in agreement with the Department for Work and Pensions. There is separateseparate Grant Guidance for grant guidance for England and for Wales.  Wales.  

The information contained within this guidance is also likely to be useful to key local partners such as other Upper Tier and Unitary local authorities in the Delivery Area, strategic health bodies, Supported Employment providers, employers and business representative bodies and voluntary and community organisations.