Project

Connect to Work

6 stories · discussed at 1 council meeting · 7 councils

Councils are currently focusing on securing funding and extending contracts for Connect to Work programmes to support residents facing employment barriers.

Southwark's Connect to Work programme received £8.3 million in funding in December 2025 to support young people with health and disability barriers, care leavers, and those at risk of serious violence. In January 2026, Bexley Business and Employment launched new employment schemes to help economically inactive residents develop confidence and job-searching skills.

Ealing Council extended its West London Strategic Employment Support contract with The Shaw Trust for three years from April 2028, a decision made in December 2025. Bromley Council continues its Connect to Work scheme, with an update provided to the Bromley Economic Partnership in October 2025, supporting residents into employment. The Shaw Trust's Connect to Work programme, launched in May 2025, aims to support 10,000 West London residents facing various complex barriers to employment.

Connect to Work programmes are initiatives across various councils, often Department for Work and Pensions or GLA-funded, designed to help residents facing health, disability, or other barriers to employment find and maintain work.

Key facts

  1. Bexley Business and Employment launched new employment schemes in January 2026. Source
  2. Ealing Council extended its West London Strategic Employment Support contract for three years from 1 April 2028 in December 2025. Source
  3. Southwark's Connect to Work programme received £8.3 million in funding in December 2025. Source
  4. Bromley Council's Connect to Work scheme provided an update in October 2025. Source
  5. The Shaw Trust's Connect to Work programme launched on 1 May 2025. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Latest stories

  1. New employment schemes launched for Bexley residents Bexley residents will benefit from new employment support schemes aimed at helping economically inactive individuals find work. The initiatives, introduced by Bexley Business... Bexley 29 January 2026
  2. Ealing Extends West London Employment Support Contract Ealing Council has extended its West London Strategic Employment Support contract with The Shaw Trust for three years, starting 1 April 2028. The decision, made at a Cabinet... Ealing 14 December 2025
  3. Connect to Work Programme Receives £8.3M Funding Southwark's Connect to Work programme, designed to support residents facing health and disability-related barriers to employment, has received £8.3 million in funding. Southwark 7 December 2025
  4. Kingston Carers Face Health, Financial Struggles: Report Kingston's unpaid carers are facing significant challenges to their health and financial stability, according to a report presented at the Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel on... Kingston upon Thames 28 October 2025
  5. Bromley's Connect to Work Scheme Update: Supporting Residents in Finding Employment Bromley Council is continuing its efforts to support residents in finding employment through the Connect to Work scheme. The initiative was discussed at the Bromley Economic... Bromley 18 October 2025
  6. Shaw Trust's Employment Program Targets 10,000 West Londoners The Shaw Trust is aiming to support over 10,000 West London residents into sustainable employment through its Connect to Work programme. The initiative, launched in partnership... Hounslow 21 July 2025