Kent County Council has commissioned three organisations, including two charities, to continue and expand support for residents who face barriers to finding, keeping, or returning to work.
By commissioning Shaw Trust, The Forward Trust, and The Education People, KCC aims to reach thousands of people across Kent and Medway who are living with long‑term health conditions, disabilities or other challenges that can make securing suitable employment difficult.
The move strengthens delivery of Connect to Work, a major employment support programme launched in July 2025 as part of the UK Government’s Get Britain Working initiative.
Connect to Work is designed not only to help people find jobs, but also to build confidence, self‑esteem, and long‑term stability.
KCC says the scheme can help support residents to remain economically active despite health challenges, reduce pressure on NHS services by promoting wellbeing through work, and help employers retain skilled staff who face illness or disability.
From 1 April, two new delivery providers have joined the programme, expanding reach and capacity across the county.
Connect to Work delivers support through two nationally recognised models, Individual Placement and Support (IPS) and Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF). Both of these use a “place, train and maintain” approach, focusing on helping people secure competitive paid employment quickly, with ongoing tailored support to sustain work.
Under the new commissioning arrangements:
- Shaw Trust delivers the IPS service in Swale, Canterbury, and Ashford
- The Forward Trust supports residents in Thanet, Dover, Folkestone & Hythe, Medway, and Gravesham
- The Education People delivers IPS in Dartford, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Maidstone, and Tunbridge Wells
The SEQF model is delivered county‑wide across Kent and Medway by The Education People, ensuring consistent access to supported employment regardless of location.
Since July 2025, the Connect to Work programme has supported over 890 people to join the scheme, and achieved more than 120 job starts for people previously out of work.
KCC says these early results demonstrate the value of personalised, locally delivered employment support. Partners work closely with participants to provide individualised help at every stage of the journey into work.
Support includes help to:
- Plan career goals and next steps
- Prepare CVs and job applications
- Practise interview skills
- Identify suitable roles that align with health needs
- Manage conditions while in work
- Arrange reasonable workplace adjustments
The emphasis is on long‑term success, not short‑term job outcomes.
Cllr David Wimble, Kent County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Special Projects, said:
“We recognise how important it is to help people with long-term health conditions, disabilities and other barriers to employment find the dignity that comes from being in steady work.
“That is why we are working with experts who know this work best to help support people across Kent and Medway to find, keep or return to work.”
By working with experienced charitable and public sector providers, the council aims to reduce inequalities, support employers and ensure more residents can access the benefits that meaningful work brings.
Image credit: iStock
