Bedford Borough Council is part of a new scheme to help people get back into the workplace and stay in sustainable work, with individual 12-month programmes of intensive support.
The Connect to Work programme, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), will run for five years.
It is targeted at people who have been out of work for six months or longer, and have a disability, health condition, or complex barriers to employment.
Each advisor will have up to 25 clients at a time, with a new person joining the programme whenever somebody successfully returns to the workforce. Help will include personalised one-to-one coaching, assistance in finding suitable job opportunities that match their skills and abilities, and ongoing support for both the client and their employer to help maintain the job long-term.
Three-quarters of people taking part in the scheme will be using the Individual Placement and Support Model, which was first used in the USA, and is integrated with other referral and support organisations, such as homelessness and mental health services.
Bedford Borough Council is part of a regional partnership for delivering the scheme, with Central Bedfordshire, Luton, Milton Keynes, West Northamptonshire and North Northamptonshire councils.
Councillor Andrea Spice, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Planning and Prosperity, said; “Connect to Work will help us to fulfil our goal of ensuring that every resident has an opportunity to thrive and find meaningful employment. Finding and sustaining a fulfilling job is not just about money, it’s vitally important to mental health and wellbeing.
“Groups who are eligible include former Armed Forces personnel, victims of modern-day slavery, carers, care leavers, the homeless, ex-offenders, young people at risk of being NEET (not in education, employment or training), refugees, Afghans and Ukrainians.
“Everyone has something to contribute, and we want to help them unlock that.”