Employment support team

Southampton City Council’s Employment Support Team has received funding through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to support economically inactive residents into employment and training.

Using the model of supported employment, we provide tailored 1:1 support for individuals to move into sustainable employment. We’ll get to know clients and provide person-centred information, advice and guidance, ensuring they have the right support to achieve their goals.

The support available includes:

• 1:1 support from a dedicated Employment Officer
• Regular meetings in the community
• Support with CVs, Job Searching, Application Forms and Interviews
• Helping to liaise with employers around reasonable adjustments
• In-work support if required, including travel training, job coaching or just checking in

Eligibility:

• Southampton resident (SO14-SO19 postcode)
• Age 18+ (no upper age limit)
• Economically Inactive (not in employment or full-time education and haven’t worked for at least 4 weeks)

Referrals:

Download and complete a referral form and return it to employment.support.team@southampton.gov.uk

Alternatively, you can email or call 023 8091 7585 to discuss.

You can also self-refer by getting in touch with us.

This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus

Young Adults Employment Hub

Southampton City Council are working in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to support the city’s young people into training, apprenticeships and employment opportunities with the Southampton Young Adults Employment Hub.

Visit our Young Adults Employment Hub pages for more information.

If you’re over 50, live in or around Southampton and receive Universal Credit, you can get support from us to find employment.

We can offer a range of support to help you find a job:

• Drop in for advice or get ongoing 1:1 support from a member of our team
• Use our Wi-Fi and computers for free
• Get support to create or update your CV and Cover Letter
• Support with job searching, application forms and interview preparation
• Meet local training providers in person and sign up to free training courses

Visit our Adults Employment Hub page for more information.

Local Supported Employment

Southampton City Council has secured funding to help adults with learning disabilities who are known to the council to find and maintain employment.

If you …

• Have a learning disability or autism
• Are aged 18 and over
• Claim Universal Credit or are economically inactive
• Are known to a team at Southampton City Council (e.g. Adult Social Care, Homelessness, Pathways Through Care etc.)

…then you could be able to get support from our team to find your next job.

We’ll work with you and your networks of support to make sure everything is in place to help you prepare for employment. Whether it’s job searching, Access to Work, CV writing, career advice or anything else work-related, we can help.

For more information, please contact employment.support.team@southampton.gov.uk, we will be happy to have a chat.

To make a referral, please download a referral form and send it back to employment.support.team@southampton.gov.uk. Referrals will be allocated to an Employment Officer.

Alternatively, you can self-refer using the form below:

Integrated Mental Health Employment Service

The Integrated Mental Health Employment Service (IMHES) is delivered within Southampton’s Community Mental Health Teams. Our aim is to engage with people with mental health issues earlier to help them to find employment or training and to help them to retain employment.

What does IMHES offer?

• Employment based information, advice and guidance
• An individualised employment action plan to help find and retain employment
• Individual interventions based on identified goals
• On-going support for both the employee and the employer

Who can be referred?

Anyone currently receiving a service from Southampton Community Mental Health Teams including:

• Individuals who are unemployed and looking for employment
• Individuals who are signed off of work, or at risk of being signed off
• Individuals who are engaged in any form of employment who would benefit from this intervention 

For further information or an informal discussion please contact the Employment Officer based within your local Community Mental Health Team or contact employment.support.team@southampton.gov.uk.

Employment Support for Drug & Alcohol Services

Employment Support for Drug & Alcohol Services (ESDAS) is delivered within CGL (Change, Grow, Live) and DASH (No Limits).

What does ESDAS offer?

• Employment based information, advice and guidance
• An individualised employment action plan to help find and retain employment
• Individual interventions based on identified goals
• On-going support for both the employee and the employer

Who can be referred?

Anyone currently receiving a service from Southampton’s drug and alcohol services including:

• Individuals who are unemployed and looking for employment
• Individuals who are signed off of work, or at risk of being signed off
• Individuals who are engaged in any form of employment who would benefit from this intervention 

For further information or an informal discussion please contact the Employment Officer based within your local drug and alcohol services or contact employment.support.team@southampton.gov.uk.