Work Wise important update
Due to the end of funding for Work Wise in Surrey, provided by the Department of Work and Pensions, we will be unable to take on any new applicants for Work Wise from 28 February 2025.
New applicants to Work Wise may be eligible for a new supported employment programme coming in Summer 2025 called Connect to Work. More details on Connect to Work will follow shortly.
Anyone already on the Work Wise scheme will continue to be supported by their current provider until September 2025 either Get Set, Waythrough (previously Richmond Fellowship Trust), or Surrey Choices. Please speak with the organisation who is providing your Work Wise support for further information.
What is Work Wise?
Work Wise is a free employment service available to any person with a mental or physical health condition, disability, or neurodivergence, who wants to work.
Work Wise supports people to find, maintain and sustain meaningful, long-term paid employment or to support people already in-work to continue their employment.
Who are Work Wise?
The Department of Work and Pensions have provided funding to Surrey County Council to deliver Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care. What this means is supporting anyone aged 16+ who have a physical or mental health condition, to help them to move into competitive employment, or if already in a job providing the support they need to maintain that employment.
Through a competitive tender process Surrey County Council selected the following organisations to help us deliver this program to residents in Surrey. Get Set UK, Waythrough (formally known as Richmond Fellowship), Surrey Choices, and Citizens Advice. They have been chosen to be our trusted partners as have a wealth of experience supporting people with physical and mental health conditions with getting and maintaining a job.
How does it work?
As an individual, once you have registered you will be matched to a dedicated employment specialist who will work with you to identify your skills, help you find work, and support you to stay in the job.
You will receive a range of employment support including writing your CV, identifying your skills and experience to match to a role and interview training. You can also access benefits, financial capability and housing advice.
We also work with businesses to identify suitable roles that complement their needs, and we match individuals we are working with to roles available.
Support for individuals
We use your interests and current skills to match you to work that suits your needs and abilities, providing one-to-one support from a dedicated employment specialist.
Support for employers
Work Wise provides support to businesses and employers of any size who want to improve their workforce wellbeing opportunities. We can match our clients to fill your skills gaps, as well as provide training and advice to develop inclusive employee support services.
Benefits and outcomes for individuals
Being in work provides many benefits for employees, employers and our wider society, such as:
- Improved mental and physical health over time
- Increased financial stability and independence
- Training and developing your skillsets through regular, personalised support
- Having your needs met better at work
- More opportunities for job progression
- Learning to manage your finances
Eligibility
You are eligible for Work Wise employment support if you are:
- Have a mental/physical health condition, disability, neurodivergence or learning difficulties.
- Aged 16 or over
- Have the right to work in the UK
- Want to work or stay in-work
- Live in or registered to a GP in Surrey or Northeast Hampshire
- Not currently on another employment support programme
Files available to download
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Supporting people with learning disabilities to get work (PDF)
Easy Read Guide helping people with learning disabilities find out more about employment support programme Work Wise
