Help from the jobcentre
We work closely with people who specialise in helping young people find work. The Somerset Jobcentre Offer can support you on your Pathway to Employment and help you take your next steps with confidence.
The Jobcentre can support you with:
- Work experience – Short placements lasting 2 to 8 weeks, usually working 25 to 30 hours a week, to help you understand what working life is like.
- Early access to the Work and Health programme – Extra support if your health affects your ability to work.
- Volunteering opportunities – Helping you gain work skills, experience and confidence through volunteering.
- Work trials – A chance to try out a job before it becomes permanent. These are available for jobs of 16 hours or more a week and lasting at least 13 weeks.
Work trials can last up to 30 days. - Support if you want to be self‑employed – The New Enterprise Allowance includes a workshop called Link Up: Start Up. You will learn what running your own business involves and get help from a business mentor. You may also receive an allowance for the first 6 months and a loan to help with start‑up costs.
- Sector‑based work academies – Training linked to specific job sectors, with work experience and a guaranteed interview at the end.
- Flexible Support Fund – Help with costs that might be stopping you from working, such as training courses.
- Access to Work – Practical support for disabled people who are working, starting a job, or doing a work trial.
- Help with extra work‑related costs – Support with costs linked to disability, where needed.
- Apprenticeships – Paid jobs where you learn while you work and study at the same time.
- Traineeships – Programmes for young people aged 16 to 24 to help you become work‑ready through training and work experience.
- Personal mentoring – The Personal Mentoring Network, delivered by PLUSS in Somerset, supports young people aged 18 to 24. A mentor will support you for 2 to 4 hours a week, for up to 12 weeks. If you get a job, they can continue to support you for up to 26 weeks to help you settle in.
All Somerset Jobcentres have a single point of contact for care leavers and work closely with Care Leaver teams to make sure you get the right support.
You do not have to do this on your own — help is there when you need it.