Hosting an Employment Coach

Angus Knight UK (AKG UK)

Angus Knight Group (AKG) UK is a group of business delivering integrated employment, skills, health and wellbeing; and peer-led behaviour change programmes and services across the UK on behalf of Local / Combined Authorities, NHS, Public Health and DWP.   We currently deliver the DWP flagship Restart Scheme through the AKG business Jobs 22, in Bedford, Luton and Milton Keynes. Restart and other employment programmes delivered across the central Midlands region, have enabled us to support over 60,000 long term unemployed people to date to look for work, more than 10,000 of whom have presented a disability or health condition as a barrier to accessing work. Through tailored one -to-one support provided by our Employment Coaches, our participants are guided towards overcoming barriers to employment and building their confidence to find, access and sustain meaningful employment.

To further enhance the support provided to our participants with health conditions and disabilities, AKG UK, working in collaboration with NHS Bedford, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB, are looking to introduce an innovative Health and Wellbeing Pilot into the region. This initiative seeks to involve a GP practice (or local group of practices) to more closely align the employability support we provide to our participants with their health and wellbeing support provided by their primary care provider. We would like to invite Expressions of Interest from GP practices who would be interested in hosting an Employment Coach in their practice.  Our participants who are already registered with the chosen GP surgeries will attend their appointments at the surgery rather than within our branch offices, creating a holistic approach that addresses both their health and employment needs.

For GP surgeries, participating in this pilot offers several benefits. By hosting our Employment Coach, surgeries will foster stronger ties with an external organisation that delivers meaningful employment support to the local community. This collaboration can enhance patient care by addressing social determinants of health, such as employment and financial stability, which directly impact wellbeing. Additionally, the pilot positions surgeries as leaders in an innovative, community-centred approach to healthcare, potentially attracting funding or support for future initiatives.

This is an opportunity to be at the forefront of integrating health and employment services, aligned to the NHS’ priorities for greater collaboration between services, supporting the whole person, and building a stronger, more resilient community. Please note there is no funding available for this pilot.