How Jobcentre Plus can support employers

 The DWP offers free services to advertise roles in health and care: 

• GOV.UK advertise a job service – find a job is DWP's free job posting service that may serve as an additional connection point with job seekers and for those who don’t use other health and care job boards. 

• Social media – promote vacancies via your local Jobcentre Plus X (formally Twitter) or LinkedIn account reaching jobseekers and career changers in your area. 

The DWP organises jobs fairs across the country, which employers are encouraged to attend to highlight roles available in their organisations. A jobs fair is increasingly becoming a popular way for job seekers to find entry-level roles, able to meet several different employers at the same time. Everyone attending these events are DWP registered job seekers and therefore have all the relevant checks to work. 

It can serve as a way for employers to raise awareness of their organisation and given the increased footfall, an efficient way to fill numerous vacancies simultaneously. Employers can advertise at jobs fairs at no cost, and certain events will be targeted at different priority groups supporting employers in realising their widening participation ambitions.  

To register your interest, contact your local Jobcentre Plus advisor. 

If there are currently no advertised job fairs in your locality or if you want something specific for your trust/system, please contact your local centre who would be happy to design a bespoke solution for your organisation that is designed for local demographics and relevant information.  In addition, they can give candidates advice on the completion of application forms, volunteering opportunities, and other services.  

There are nearly one million 16-24 year olds who are not in employment, education or training (NEET). The UK economy has shifted due to recent challenges and the jobs market is changing with fewer entry level jobs available. Over the next few years, DWP are investing into the Youth Guarantee to get young people earning and learning through a number of policy responses: 

• NEET prevention through funding, improved data tracking and schools engagement 
• support and services by expanding youth hubs and introducing a youth guarantee gateway 
• experience and training by increasing work experience placements and sector based training opportunities 
• growth and skills levy flexibilities to support apprenticeships and training 
• Jobs Guarantee for long term unemployed by providing guaranteed paid work for 18-24 year olds who have been recipients of universal credit for 18 months.

The key ask for employers is to deliver support to young people through employability and mentoring programmes, create more work experience placements and training opportunities and recruit more young people into jobs and apprenticeships. 

The Jobs Guarantee scheme is a fully subsidised six month paid job, up to 25 hours per week at the relevant minimum wage, plus funding for wraparound support and onboarding. This is beginning rollout as of Spring 2026 and can find out more information about how an employer can get involved on the dedicated website. 

A sector-based work academy programme (SWAP) gives jobseekers who are 16 and over, and claiming benefits, the opportunity to apply for jobs. The programme is designed to help meet employers’ immediate and future recruitment needs as well as to recruit a workforce with the right skills. 

A SWAP is a partnership between an employing organisation, Jobcentre Plus and a training provider. Responsibility for delivering this programme is shared between these partners. It is supported by a single point of contact from the Jobcentre who will help find potential candidates to fill vacancies. It is fully funded by the government.  

This programme can last up to six weeks and includes: 

• pre-employment training, matched to a job sector and delivered by the employer or a local training provider   
• a short work experience placement with an organisation 
• a guaranteed job interview or help with the application process. 

More information is available on the GOV.UK website. 

WHP Pioneer is a bespoke tailored support package designed for economically inactive individuals who may have multiple barriers to work, such as health conditions. It looks to help individuals engage with employers at the earliest opportunity and provide them with further support on entering the workforce. This voluntary programme can last up to 15 months with the potential for six months of support in the workplace.

Employment advisors will work with participants to provide guidance, advice on suitable jobs, and support after starting work. This could include services such as:

• support with creating a CV, advice of applying for jobs and interview guidance
• advice on qualifications that gain new skills, and support with changing sectors
• helping with confidence building and advice on health and wellbeing
• support after joining the workforce.

To be eligible for WHP Pioneer, applicants should be of working age, not have any other DWP contracted provision, not have completed WHP previously, not have a job offer or be about to start work. The programme also requires that the applicant either has a disability or is in a disadvantaged group.

To discuss how your organisation can best support recipients of this programme, employers should speak to their local Jobcentre Plus advisor about contacting their regional programme provider. Engaging with economically inactive individuals can support widening participation aims whilst providing an entry into a health and care career.

Universal Credit means the 16-hour rule no longer applies, so staff can increase their hours and no longer worry about losing their benefits. The flexibility of Universal Credit means employers can give staff extra shifts and responsibilities and enables existing employees to increase their skills and progress, encouraging retention and a long term reduction in recruitment costs.

For pay as you earn (PAYE) employers, it is important to note that employers do not need to know if their employees are on Universal Credit, but claimants can tell their employer if they wish. Therefore, employers do not need to tell DWP about any employees who are getting Universal Credit, as this is automatically calculated. 

Find out more information on Universal Credit on GOV.UK.

The DWP can signpost you to useful advice for supporting those with specific needs into a role in health and care, including: 

• Access to Work – an employment grant supporting disabled people to start or stay in work. 
• Disability confident employer scheme – encouraging employers to think differently about disability and to take action to improve how they recruit, retain and develop disabled people. 
• Mentoring circles – a national initiative that connects mentors with jobseekers to help tackle employment inequalities.
• Work experience – support young people or those aged over 25 who don’t have recent work history by offering work experience placements between two and eight weeks. 
• Positive action – guidance on positive employer actions for recruitment and promotion. 
• Reasonable adjustments – providing help for workers with disabilities and/or health conditions and information about the Health Adjustment Passport.