Find a job that works for you.

Expert support to help unemployed people move into work

Referrals to Work Routes are now closed.

Our support

Work Routes is a support service that helps unemployed people to move into work. It was free to access for those who meet the eligibility criteria.

Our teams of expert Employment Advisers provide access to a wide range of training, wellbeing and financial support.

Whilst we continue to work collaboratively with our participants, our referrals are now closed.

Here’s how it works…

  • Getting to know our participants

    Participants will meet their own expert Employment Adviser at their first appointment. Together, they will discuss interests, skills, experience, circumstances and ambitions.

    Our Employment Advisers will then work with their participants to create a plan that will provide guidance on their journey into work. Our team are on hand to help participants plan and coordinate everything that they have set themselves to do.

  • Using our range of support

    Work Routes provides access to a wide range of different support.

    This means that we can help participants, whatever their circumstances.

    • 1 - Skills training

      Developing new skills, or refreshing existing ones, can be an important step in finding work.

      We offer in-house courses that help to develop skills for chosen job sector. As a result of the working partnerships that we have with local employers, we can offer work taster sessions. Many of these come with guaranteed interviews with employers at the end.

      We deliver sessions that focus on improving digital skills, or characteristics like self-confidence or team working.

    • 2 - Health & wellbeing support

      We know that concerns about health can often make starting and staying in work more difficult.

      We are a Disability Confident Leader, which means we are committed to making work accessible for everyone.

      Specialist support from our partner Reed Wellbeing can help with a range of physical or mental health needs, including with coping with stress or anxiety, managing pain, improving diet, and being more physically active and managing health at work.

    • 3 - Financial help

      We have funding available to make sure that the cost of returning to work is not an issue.

      We can help with the cost of travel, interview clothes or equipment for work. We can also pay for skills and training courses.

      We can also help to plan financially and with budgeting money for when a participant starts working – including making sure that the jobs they apply for will see them financially better off than not working.

    • 4 - Self-employment guidance

      Working self-employed can be a great option for people who value flexibility or have a trade they can promote.

      We provide access to seven Working For Yourself modules, including advice on turning a hobby into a job, making a business plan, invoicing & bookkeeping and promoting a business.

    • 5 - Job searching

      The job market is always evolving and the ways we look for work change.

      Our Employment Advisers can help to identify suitable opportunities and demonstrate the best places to job search. We also offer access to Digital Hubs and Online Careers Centre to help.

      Our team work with lots of valued, local employers and provide access to a range of exclusive job vacancies, Jobs Fairs and careers events.

    • 6 - Job applications and interviews

      Once our participants find the right role, their Employment Adviser will help them with job applications and prepare a gold standard CV that will stand out from the crowd.

      We have experience of helping thousands of people succeed at job interviews.

      We can arrange mock interviews and help particpants to prepare their interview answers, practicing the kind of questions they might be asked, which helps improve confidence and helps them to showcase their ability.

  • Starting work

    Employment Advisers are ready to celebrate on the news of a new job offer!

    But their support does not end there.

    We keep regular contact with our participants, to make sure they have settled into their new role. If there is anything further that we can do to help our participants can contact their Employment Adviser directly. Funding is also available to help cover costs prior to their first pay.

    We can work with employers to assist with adjustments to the workplace due to a health condition or disability.

Eligibility

Eligibility and referral is at the discretion of DWP.

Some of the reasons you might be eligible can include:

  1. You are economically inactive (unemployed and not in the UC IWSR or JSA. Claiming other benefits, or no benefits, means you are eligible); or:
  2. You have a health condition or disability and need more support than can be provided within standard Jobcentre or other available services; or
  3. You fit into one of the following groups:
  • An ex-offender (someone who has completed a custodial
    • sentence or a community sentence), or an offender (someone who is serving a community sentence)
  • A carer or ex-carer
  • A homeless person
  • A former member of HM Armed Forces
  • A member of the the HM Armed Forces reserves
  • A partner of current or former Armed Forces personnel
  • A person for whom a drug/alcohol dependency (including a history of) presents a significant barrier to employment
  • A care leaver
  • A refugee
  • A young person identified as being involved or at risk of being involved in gangs or serious violence
  • A victim of domestic violence
  • An Afghan Resettler
  • A Ukrainian Refugee