How the Restart Scheme can help Jobcentre Plus staff support their clients to get back to work

The Restart Scheme is part of the government’s Plan for Jobs to help people and businesses recover from the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is designed to give Universal Credit claimants enhanced support to help them find jobs in their local area.

Ingeus delivers the Restart Scheme across Greater Manchester and Central and West London on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions, working in partnership with local partners and employers to break down any employment barriers that could be holding people back from finding work. The Restart Scheme will provide up to 12 months of tailored support for each participant.

How to refer a Universal Credit claimant to the Restart Scheme?

STEP 1: Introducing the Scheme

Tell your claimant about the Restart Scheme and how it can help.

STEP 2: Share Information

Hand them a Restart Scheme leaflet and direct them to the Ingeus website.

STEP 3: Call Us

Make a booking call using the number listed in the Central and West London, or Greater Manchester brochure. 

STEP 4: Handover

Agree a handover meeting between you, your claimant and one of our Restart Scheme Engagement Advisors.

How is the Restart Scheme delivered?

Participants will be required to attend Action Plan Reviews in person every four weeks.

For the rest of the programme, including the fortnightly reviews, participants can choose how they contact us and access the Restart Scheme. For example, they could choose:

  • To meet in person for all appointments and activities.
  • To have fortnightly appointments over the telephone.
  • To have video calls for fortnightly appointments.
  • To use the iWorks participant portal messaging service.
  • To use a mix of telephone, in person, or online.

What support does the Restart Scheme provide?

The Restart Scheme offers a maximum of 365 days of personalised, job-focussed
support with a dedicated Restart Advisor.

Tailored Support

  • A diagnostic assessment identifies the Participant’s current employment barriers, skills and requirements to ensure support is tailored to their needs.
  • A SMART action plan is created in agreement with the Participant to address sources of concern and barriers as they progress towards employment or self-employment.
  • Ingeus’ local integration team provide a one-stop-shop to local services via a wide range of community links and established partners working together to address specialist areas of concern.
  • Participants can choose how we communicate with them about their support.

Individual Support

  • Each Participant is allocated a dedicated Restart Advisor who will stay in contact with them throughout their journey, including an initial introduction meeting, 1-2-1 contact every fortnight, and face-to-face meetings every four weeks.
  • Advisors will provide specialist advice and support into employment; including job vacancy identification and job applications.
  • Ingeus’ dedicated Performance Fund gives participants access to additional services or interventions from local organisations to overcome specific barriers to work e.g. transport, digital skills, sourcing identifcation documents.

Job-Focussed Support

  • iWorks, Ingeus’ online career platform, allows participants to manage their journey, view their calendar of activities, and access thousands of free employability resources and learning activities.
  • Support and interventions are designed in accordance with the local labour market, using employer relationships to identify suitable vacancies and work opportunities.
  • Help will be provided to understand the possible impact of paid employment on welfare benefits.

  • In-work support is available to help people transition back into employment and stay in work.

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