£19m bid to help 5,250 sick and disabled people across county find work

SCHEME WILL TARGET THOSE PEOPLE FACING PERCEIVED BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT

- By JOSEPH RICHARDS

SICK and disabled people across Staffordshire are set to benefit from £19 million in funding to get life-changing support into work.

The Department for Work and Pensions has announced its latest tranche of funding, which will see Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent receive up to £19 million to support 5,250 people.

They will be given intensive, personalised help, including individual coaching from employment specialists, job matching services, and ongoing support for both participants and employers to “ensure sustainable employment outcomes”.

To access support, sick and disabled people and those facing complex barriers to work can self-refer or they can be referred through various routes including healthcare professionals, local authorities, and voluntary sector partners.