Connect to Work is a national voluntary, UK Government-funded program designed to support individuals with disabilities, long-term health conditions, or other barriers find and retain employment. It is the first major element of the Get Britain Working Strategy and will take a collaborative, locally led approach.

Cambridgeshire County Council has been awarded the Prime Contractor role for Connect to Work by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA). The contract will run from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2030.

It will:

• Connect local work, health, and skills support using a “place, train, maintain” model
• Target “hidden unemployment” and disadvantaged groups
• Deliver IPS (Individual Placement and Support) and SEQF (Supported Employment Quality Framework) interventions with high fidelity to national models
• Ensure equitable access through a zero-exclusions approach
• Support at least 3,738 residents of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough between 2026 and 2030

Cambridgeshire County Council will appoint a consortium of Delivery Partners, who will deliver Individual Placement and Support (IPS) and Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) models of supported employment to high levels of fidelity.

IPS – Individual Placement and Support, is an intervention which integrates employment support alongside primary and secondary health services and other support services.

SEQF – Supported Employment Quality Framework, is an intensive supported employment model for people with learning disabilities, autism, and complex barriers. SEQF is a more intensive intervention, where in delivery terms the Participant will receive more contact and support from their Employment Specialist.

Both models follow fidelity scales as evidence shows higher fidelity delivers stronger employment outcomes.

We will also work with a wide range of partners and stakeholders who are operating in local areas, to provide therapeutic and holistic wrap-around support for participants.

Effective local employer engagement will be key to the success of the programme.

We are now looking to recruit to a number of new key roles which will be crucial for the successful delivery and implementation of this programme.

The Connect to Work Quality and Fidelity Lead will be our subject matter expert for both models of supported employment, therefore the successful candidate must have previous experience in delivering or managing Individual Placement and Support (IPS) and/or SEQF (Supported Employment Quality Framework). They will design and implement the fidelity assurance process for the Connect to Work programme across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, supporting Cambridgeshire County Council in its role as Prime Contractor to the CPCA to achieve good fidelity scores across all delivery partners.

This pivotal role involves working closely with colleagues and delivery partners to ensure all aspects of the participant journey and programme delivery aligns with the recognised IPS and SEQF fidelity scales.

For more information or to chat about this opportunity please contact Rachel.Carpenter@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

What will you be doing?

The postholder will be responsible for ensuring that Connect to Work across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is delivered in accordance with the relevant Supported Employment fidelity models – both Individual Placement and Support (IPS) and Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF), ensuring that the ‘place, train and maintain’ model is delivered with high fidelity to the required standards.

Please see the job description for more details.

About you

As the Subject Matter Expert for all Supported Employment fidelity issues, you will provide expert advice and guidance for fidelity related enquiries, issues and actions from delivery partners, key stakeholders and DWP commissioned Fidelity Assurance services.

You will be confident designing and delivering a programme of support and development to a range of organisations, using your experience and expertise gained from directly delivering or managing IPS and/or SEQF programmes.

You will be able to travel comfortably across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to meet with delivery partners and other organisations to deliver face to face training and support.

Our benefits

We value our colleagues in Cambridgeshire County Council and have developed a number of benefits in addition to the basics like annual leave, sick pay, pension and mileage…

• A comprehensive wellbeing package to cover all aspects of wellbeing, both in and out of work, which can also be accessed by your family
• Buy up to 4 weeks additional annual leave (pro-rata) through our salary sacrifice scheme
• Take your bank holidays flexibly to better suit your personal circumstances
• Make Additional Voluntary Contributions (Shared AVCs) to your pension with tax and National Insurance savings
• Access to development opportunities, apprenticeships and qualified coaches to support your personal and professional growth
• Paid volunteering hours each year so you can make a positive impact on our community during your normal working day
• Access to Peer Support Groups through our IDEAL staff equality, diversity and inclusion network
• Opportunities to nominate and receive Employee Recognition Awards
• An Our Cambs Rewards account, giving you access to in-store and online discounts as well as our Car Lease and Cycle to Work schemes

Take a look at our Employment Benefits Brochure attached to this advert to find out more.