We have been allocated £3.732 million from the government’s Connect to Work fund - part of a wider £14.64 million Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) investment - delivered through the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA).
This funding will allow us to launch a new Connect to Work programme designed to help residents with disabilities, long‑term health conditions, or other challenges, move towards meaningful, long-term employment or remain in roles.
Across the UK, around 2.8 million people aged 16 to 64 are currently economically inactive due to long‑term sickness or disability. In Derbyshire, that figure stands at 16% to 18% of working‑age residents - a challenge we are determined to address.
Running until March 2030, the Connect to Work Programme will be made up of 2 parts:
- Individual Placement and Support (IPS) – delivered by REED in Partnership which has strong links with health and clinical teams to give individuals tailored support.
- Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) – provided in-house by us, focusing on enhancing community-based support
Each resident that joins the Connect to Work Programme will receive one-to-one support from a dedicated employment specialist who will:
- get to know them and the job that would best suit, help with building confidence and understanding strengths using a vocational profile
- provide job coaching, including CV and application tips and interview practice
- support them with finding jobs quickly, matching roles that fit their goals and abilities
- speak to local employers on their behalf to arrange interviews or work trials
- provide ongoing support, helping set up travel plans, request reasonable adjustments or settling in
Cabinet Member for Health and Communities, Councillor Dawn Taylor, said:
“We are proud to have secured this funding to help both residents and local businesses to create more opportunities for disadvantaged individuals, ensuring employers get the right person for the job.
“We are sensitive to the fact that there’s lots of people in Derbyshire that would be perfect for a variety of jobs in the county but are experiencing high barriers to employment. This programme will help break those down whilst working with local employers to support them, in making these positive changes.”
“Reducing economic inactivity in Derbyshire is key to improving employment outcomes, reducing financial inequality and improving mental health and wellbeing across the county.
“We already have several successful supported employment programmes running, and this funding will enhance and strengthen that work.”
This new support will complement its existing, well‑established employment services, which include:
- Disability Employment Service (DES) provides dedicated one‑to‑one support for adults with disabilities or long‑term health conditions, helping them find pathways to employment with the goal of finding and sustaining meaningful jobs
- Disability Employer Engagement Derbyshire (DEED) work with local employers to increase job opportunities for residents who face additional barriers to work. This includes holding job fairs, helping employers access funding like Access to Work and offer work placements, trials and interviews, and run employer forums to connect residents with providers and businesses
You can find out more about Derbyshire County Council’s supported employment services by emailing supported.employment@derbyshire.gov.uk