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Employability support
Looking for work can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re managing mental health, low confidence, financial worries or practical barriers. Our Employability Support Service offers personalised, strengths-based support to take manageable steps towards employment, training, volunteering or staying in work.
About the service
Personalised support, at your pace
Accommodation Concern is launching a new Employability Support Service in partnership with Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT).
The service provides free, personalised support for people interested in moving towards employment, training, volunteering or sustaining work, but who may need extra help to build confidence, understand their options and overcome practical barriers.
Developed following a successful pilot, it brings together employability support with advice around benefits, budgeting, housing and debt where these issues affect someone’s ability to move towards work. Support is delivered through one-to-one appointments, practical sessions, group workshops, outreach, home visits where appropriate, and ongoing support once someone moves into work.
Delivered in partnership with NHFT
This service works alongside Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust mental health support, helping people take practical, confidence-building steps towards employment, training, volunteering or sustaining work.
Who it’s for
Who we can support
The service is for adults aged 18 and over who live in Northamptonshire and are interested in moving towards employment, training, volunteering or sustaining work. People do not need to feel ‘job ready’ before asking for support — we meet people where they are.
It may be particularly helpful for people experiencing anxiety, low confidence, financial worries, housing instability, debt, long gaps in employment, limited digital skills, uncertainty about benefits, or previous difficult experiences in work.
Eligibility
The service is primarily for people who are
- Engaging with NHFT mental health support
- On a waiting list for NHFT mental health support
- Or have accessed an NHFT Crisis Café
What support is available
How we can help
- Understanding work & benefitsHow work may affect Universal Credit or other benefits, and confidence about changes to income.
- Financial wellbeing & budgetingIncome maximisation, budgeting and the financial impact of moving into work.
- Housing & debt-related supportWhere these issues are affecting someone’s ability to move towards employment.
- Skills, strengths & career goalsIdentifying what you’re good at and what work, training or volunteering may suit you.
- CVs, applications & interviewsCV writing, applications, personal statements, interview prep and job-search confidence.
- Digital skillsEmail, online job searching, online applications and digital confidence.
- Practical barriersTransport, ID, childcare, health needs or reasonable adjustments.
- Ongoing supportHelp once you move into work, to manage early challenges and sustain employment.
How it works
From first conversation to a personalised plan
Once a referral is received, a member of the Employability Support team contacts the person to arrange an initial conversation. This first appointment helps us understand what they’d like support with, their goals and what barriers may be getting in the way — together we create a personalised support plan.
The service may use a Progress Wheel and Employability Passport to help people see the progress they’re making. Support can be provided through office or community appointments, home visits where appropriate, online sessions or group workshops.
For professionals
Referral criteria — refer someone who
- Is aged 18 or over
- Lives in Northamptonshire
- Is interested in employment, training, volunteering or sustaining work
- Is engaging with NHFT mental health support or is on a waiting list
- Would benefit from support to build confidence, understand work & benefits, or overcome practical barriers
For individuals
Interested in support for yourself?
You can speak to your NHFT worker, support worker, advisor or another professional involved in your support — or contact Accommodation Concern directly to ask about the service.
You don’t need to know exactly what job you want before getting in touch. We can help you explore your options, understand your strengths and take things one step at a time.
Confidence first, work nextReady to take the first step?