Connect to Work at a Glance
Connect to Work is a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) employability programme, supporting individuals in England and Wales who face health-related barriers to employment. The Scheme helps participants find, secure, and sustain meaningful work, whilst also supporting those at risk of falling out of employment.
Key Features:
- One-to-one tailored support delivered in partnership with health, social care, and third-sector organisations, ensuring holistic, person-centred interventions.
- Integration of employment, health, wellbeing, and skills development—primarily through the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model and the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF).
- Local Authorities will receive Government grants from the DWP to fund local delivery partners, who design tailored programmes based on local community and labour market needs.
Individual Placement and Support
What is IPS?
IPS is an evidence-based model that combines employment, health, wellbeing, and skill-building into a single, integrated support pathway. Research shows participants in IPS services are twice as likely to achieve sustainable employment compared to traditional methods.
Our Proven Delivery Model
- Personalised action plans tailored to each participant’s goals and barriers.
- Collaborative assessments aligning interests, skills, and job opportunities.
- Strong partnerships with inclusive employers across sectors.
- Thoughtfully matched job placements based on individual strengths and workplace culture.
- Ongoing in-work support to ensure retention and career progression.
- Low Employment Specialist caseloads for more focused and effective holistic support.
- A commitment to quality, driven by the IPS Fidelity Scale and continuous improvement.
- We believe that meaningful engagement starts with delivering value—every step of the way.
Our Innovations
- Earlybird AI: A 24/7 virtual coach providing personalised guidance through voice-enabled, interactive conversations—tailored to each participant’s goals and needs, enhancing support outside of office hours.
- Virtual Reality Training: Immersive tools that simulate workplace environments and mock interviews, helping participants build confidence and employability skills.
Whitehead-Ross Education
Since 2012, Whitehead-Ross Education has partnered with Local Authorities and Prime Contractors across the UK to deliver high-impact skills and employability programmes to thousands of participants, including the DWP Restart Scheme and DfE Skills Bootcamps.
In the last 2 years alone we have supported 3,634 individuals from target DWP Connect to Work client groups. Our main client groups were:
- Offenders or ex-offenders – 643 clients
- Carers or ex-carers – 224 clients
- Disabled people, people with health conditions – 491 clients
Partnering with Us
We are proud to hold the Matrix Standard for Information, Advice, and Guidance, along with the Silver IEP Professional Excellence Status—a testament to our commitment to quality and innovation in employability and skills delivery.
Whitehead-Ross Education is well placed to support commissioners in reaching hard-to-reach groups for delivering DWP Connect to Work.
What our Clients Say
“I know I wouldn’t have found a great job with great people without you and the team.”
— Helena, DWP Restart participant
“Thank you for all your great support helping me get back to work. Thank you so much for everything.”
— Luisa, DWP Restart participant
What our Employers say
“The programme has truly made a positive impact, helping us get our community back into work and contributing to local wellbeing. This partnership is incredibly rewarding, and I’m excited about the difference we can continue to make together.”
— Angelina, In Home Care
Interested in Working With Us?
Let’s create real impact – together!
Contact Us- email: C2W@wrecltd.co.uk
Tel: 01273 281 981