Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Shaw Trust
Fast Track to Employment is an IPS service within ELFT Hackney’s Community Mental Health Teams. We believe that meaningful work can play a crucial role in your recovery. This free, voluntary service assists anyone supported by mental health teams in Hackney to find employment.

We collaborate closely with you to understand your employment goals and create a personalised action plan to help you secure a job that suits you. Additionally, we work with employers to find suitable roles. 

Once you start working, we will continue to meet with you regularly to ensure you settle in and thrive in your new role. If you wish, we can also meet with your employer to provide comprehensive support and, if necessary, explore reasonable adjustments to facilitate your success in the role. 

Eligibility

• 18 and over
• Under the care of Hackney Neighbourhood team, Hackney Rehab, Equip, Neighbourhood Recovery East and West, Neighbourhood Teams
• Motivated to find or retain meaningful employment 

Contact

E-mail elft.ips.hackney@nhs.net
Website: https://shawtrust.org.uk/fast-track-to-employment/ 

Supported Employment Service
Helps Hackney residents with a learning disability, autism and those in contact with secondary mental health services. This includes a dedicated Employment Specialist who will support you in finding or keeping the right job. 

Eligibility

•  18+ Hackney resident with a learning disability, autism and/ or in contact with secondary mental health services.

Contact

Website: https://opportunities.hackney.gov.uk/support-2/  
Call: 020 8356 5700
Email: supportedemployment@hackney.gov.uk 

Individual Placement and Support (IPS) for Primary Care 
Offers personalised employment support for Hackney residents with physical and/or mental health conditions engaged in primary care services. Offers support for employment, returning to work after sick leave and retention. 

Eligibility

•  Hackney residents of working age with a physical or mental disability engaged in primary care services e.g. support from a GP. 

Contact

Website: https://opportunities.hackney.gov.uk/empowering-residents-with-health-conditions-to-reach-their-potential-in-the-workplace/
Email: ipspc@hackney.gov.uk 

Step Up 
Improve your confidence and support your mental health through volunteering. Offers tailored coaching, support finding and starting a volunteer role and paid jobs, wellbeing and employment workshops and links to local services. 

Eligibility
If you are over 18, live in Hackney or the City of London and are struggling with your mental health. You don’t need a medical diagnosis 

Contact
Webpage: https://vchackney.org/services/step-up/ 

Hackney Works employment support 
Hackney Works is a free employment support service run by Hackney Council that supports people who live in Hackney to find employment. 

Eligibility

• Hackney resident with the right to work in the UK
• Have a National Insurance number
• Unemployed, working less than 16 hours a week or on a low income. 

Contact

Get support | Hackney Opportunities | Free courses for adults and families in Hackney
hackneyworks@hackney.gov.uk
020 8365 5700

Job Centres
Job Centres Jobcentre supports people looking for work who are claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance. You can get help with job searching, training and interviews. 

Eligibility

• In receipt of a jobseeker’s allowance

Contact  

Website: Contact Jobcentre Plus: How to contact Jobcentre Plus - GOV.UK
Phone number: 0800 169 0190

The King’s Trust 
The King’s Trust supports young people to get into work, education or self-employment. It offers friendly, tailored help and short courses to build confidence and develop practical skills. 

Eligibility:

• Aged 16-30
• Not in work, training or education 

Contact: 

Website: https://www.kingstrust.org.uk/
Enquiry form: Contact us | The King's Trust
Phone number: 0800 842 842

Eligibility

• Website: The King's Trust | Confidence, courses, careers
• Enquiry form: Contact us | The King's Trust
• Phone number: 0800 842 842

16+ Network 
Sixteen Plus Hackney is a network of over 80 organisations based in and around Hackney, helping 16 – 25 year olds find opportunities in employment, education, wellbeing, skills development and more. 

Eligibility

• Hackney residents aged 16-25

Contact:

Website: https://opportunities.hackney.gov.uk/16-network/  
Email: 16plushackney@gmail.com  

Hackney 16-19 NEET Pathways Service 
If you’re aged 16-19 (or up to 25 with an Education, Health, and Care Plan) and not in education, employment, or training (NEET), the Hackney NEET Pathways Service can support you in finding a suitable next step. Offers tailored support and career advice for young people with SEND, helps find training opportunities, CV writing, job search and applications. 

Eligibility

•  Hackney resident aged 16-19 (or up to 25 with an Education, Health, and Care Plan).
• Web page: https://opportunities.hackney.gov.uk/support-2/  

Contact: 

Tel: 020 8356 7508
Email: neetpathways@hackney.gov.uk 

Refugee Support
Support for people recently settled in Hackney.

Website: https://opportunities.hackney.gov.uk/refugee-support/ 

You can still get help finding work, training or support services even if you don’t speak English well. 

When you initially contact an employment service, please make them aware that you may need language support, and they will be able to tell you what is available within their service. 

Yes. If you have a health condition, illness or disability, there is support available to help you find and stay in work.

You can get support from employment advisers who understand your needs through Our Newham Work, who can help you find and keep suitable employment opportunities. 

They can also advise you on your rights with regard to reasonable adjustments and guide you through how you ask your employer for these. The government’s Access to Work scheme may also be able to help you pay for:

• Special equipment or software
• A support worker
• Help with travel if you can’t use public transport 

You can apply online or get help from a local adviser. Visit gov.uk/access-to-work to learn more.

Starting work can affect the benefits you receive. It depends on: 

• How many hours you work
• How much you earn
• What kind of benefits you receive 

Universal Credit
You may still receive payments when working. Your Universal Credit will reduce gradually as your income increases. You might also have a work allowance, meaning you can earn a certain amount before your payment goes down. 

Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
If you receive PIP, this will not be impacted by your employment status or income.

Other benefits
Some benefits like Housing Benefit or Tax Credits may stop if your income goes above a certain level. 

What to do
Use an online benefits calculator like Turn2Us to check how working will affect your income. 

Provided you have the right to work in the UK, you can access most of the employment support services listed on this page.

You don’t have to deal with money problems on your own. Free and confidential support is available from organisations listed on this page Hackney money advice.