Kent County Council (KCC) and Medway Council have commissioned three organisations including two charities to continue efforts to help people who face barriers to work find, keep or return to work.

In commissioning Shaw Trust, The Forward Trust and The Education People, KCC and Medway Council are aiming to reach thousands of people who have either long-term health conditions, disabilities or other related challenges which make it difficult to find appropriate employment.

As part of the UK Government’s Get Britain Working initiative, Connect to Work launched in July 2025, and as of 1^st April, Kent and Medway have welcomed two new delivery providers. It is hoped the scheme may also help to boost confidence and self-esteem in applicants, ease pressures faced by NHS services and support employers to retain good staff who face battles with illness.

KCC’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Special Projects, David Wimble, 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.”

Connect to Work provides two models of supported employment: Individual Placement and Support (IPS) and the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF). Both models use a ‘place, train and maintain’ approach to help participants secure and sustain competitive employment. The IPS service will be delivered by Shaw Trust in Swale, Canterbury and Ashford, while The Forward Trust has been commissioned to support Thanet, Dover, Folkestone and Hythe, Medway and Gravesham, and The Education People is contracted to Dartford, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells. The SEQF model will be delivered by The Education People across all of Kent and Medway.

Since July the scheme has had over 890 people join the programme, and we have reached over 120 job starts for out of work participants.

Partners will focus on helping job seekers plan career goals and next steps, prepare for work through CVs, applications and interview practice, find the right roles, stay in work by managing health conditions and arrange workplace adjustments.

Director, Post 16 for The Education People, Alicia Moyles, said: “The Education People is proud to have partnered with Kent County Council in delivering this contract over the past year, successfully launching and embedding high standards of quality across Kent.

“We remain committed to supporting individuals as they pursue sustainable employment opportunities, and we look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts for year two.”

Executive Director of The Forward Trust, Asi Panditharatna, said: “We’re delighted to have been awarded the Connect to Work programmes in east and north Kent, aligning with our mission to support people facing complex barriers.

“Working with Kent County Council and the other partners, we look forward helping individuals unlock their potential and thrive in employment and life.”

Managing Director for Work, Wellbeing and Health at Shaw Trust, David Harper, said: “We’ve seen the difference Connect to Work can make here in Kent – people are building new skills, securing jobs and staying in work for longer, while improving their health.

“Expanding the support locally will help thousands of people meet their work and health goals and improve their quality of life.”

Visit www.kent.gov.uk/connecttowork to find out more.

Source: Kent County Council
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