This page lists the external employment services available in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea.

These services each specialise in a particular area of employment support and have their own referral systems.

Age UK Kensington & Chelsea provides information and advice on issues including employment rights and work-related benefits to older residents of Kensington & Chelsea (55 and over). They also offer a wide range of volunteering opportunities, open to residents aged 16 and upwards, which can help with moving into employment.
Eligibility: Living in the borough.
Referrals: Self.
Tel: 020 8969 9105
Website: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/kensingtonandchelsea/ 

Balance runs a one-to-one supported employment programme.
Eligibility: people with learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities who live in K&C.
Referrals: Contact Balance for details.
Tel: 020 7937 1611
Email: kelly.duffy@balance-cic.com
Website: https://www.balance-cic.com

Blenheim: Learn2Earn is a 12 week employability and volunteer programme devised to help residents finding it difficult to access employment and volunteering opportunities.
Eligibility:anyone
Referrals: Self and professional
Contacts: -
Tel: 0208 354 5682
Email: learn2earn@blenheimcdp.org.uk
Website: https://blenheimcdp.org.uk/services/learn2earn/

Blenheim: DAWS provides free Education, Training and Employment (ETE) support and advice.
Eligibility: People aged 18 or over who are accessing, or have accessed, drug or alcohol services in the borough of K&C.
Referrals: Self.
Contacts: -
Tel: 07850 773 711
Email: ete@turning-point.co.uk
Website: https://blenheimcdp.org.uk/services/daws-education-training-employment-service/

The Charities offers support to help individuals identify achievable steps relating to education or employment offering one-to-one information, advice and guidance appointments, assistance with CVs, job search, job applications, mock interviews and volunteer and training opportunities.

Eligibility: People living in Kensington for at least two years, who are British or European Citizens, or possess indefinite leave to remain; people living in rented accommodation and in receipt of benefits or in low-paid employment.
Referrals: Self.
Contacts:        
Tel: 020 7243 0551
Website: www.campdencharities.org.uk

Catalyst Gateway helps with CV-writing, one-to-one job search, interview techniques, preparation for work and accessing local education or training. They deliver the Love London Working contract, which is an European Social Fund (ESF)-funded employment programme delivered by a group of major housing associations in London. Nadine is based once a week at their community shop at Paul House, Ladbroke Grove.
Eligibility: Catalyst residents in Kensington and Chelsea.
Referrals: Self.
Contacts: Nadine Luben.
Tel: 078 1613 7028
Email: Nadine.Luben@chg.org.uk
Website: www.chg.org.uk 

The IntoWork Programme part of The ClementJames Centre (https://clementjames.org/what-we-do/programmes/intowork), supports long-term unemployed people back to work with help including CV writing, job preparation and applications, identifying job and training opportunities, IT qualifications and career and life coaching.
Eligibility: Over 18 and unemployed.
Referrals: Self.
Contacts:
Tel: 020 7221 8810
Email: howard@clementjames.org
Website: www.clementjames.org

The Community Living Well - Employment Service provides support, information, advice and guidance to assist Kensington and Chelsea, Queens Park and Paddington residents with mental health difficulties who face barriers to employment to retain their current employment or access work opportunities.

Eligibility: aged 16 and over and:

  • are residing in Kensington and Chelsea, Queens Park and Paddington or registered with a Kensington and Chelsea, Queens Park and Paddington GP
  • are committed and motivated to gain or retain employment
  • have mental health difficulties (long term, serious or complex common mental illness) and face barriers to employment
  • in Primary Care

Referrals: Self, or ask your GP, Therapist or other health professional to refer you.
Contacts: Zahra Ahmed – Project Administrator
Tel: 020 3028 7936
Email: zahra.ahmed4@nhs.net
Website: TBC

Epic CIC, formerly known as RBKC Youth Support and Development Services, have a wide variety of impactful services to help young people successfully progress to the next stage of education, employment or training and to achieve their potential.
Eligibility: Aged 13-19, or up to 25 for people with learning difficulties. We also have Play services for the younger age groups from the age of 6 -14.
Referrals: Self/professionals (see forms here: https://www.epiccic.org.uk/contact
Contacts:
Tel: 0207 7938 8033
Email: info@epiccic.org.uk
Website: https://www.epiccic.org.uk/

Hestia RBKC Integrated Mental Health Day Service helps people enrol in local adult education and employment training programmes.
Eligibility: People with mental health difficulties.
Referrals: Self.
Contacts:
Tel: Elizabeth Bankole on 020 8221 0052
Email: elizabeth.bankole@hestia.org
Website: www.hestia.org

Jobcentre Plus provides support to help a person prepare for, find and stay in work, including training, guidance and work placement programmes, work experience, volunteering and job trialling schemes and many more types of support.
Eligibility: Unemployed people who want to find work.
Referral: At your local Jobcentre. Support for disabled people.

Libraries Reference and Information Service resources include COBRA, a database with practical information on qualifications and skills needed for different professions, setting up a business, and more. The Jobseekers toolkit on the library website offers information on different aspects of careers and job-seeking.
Eligibility: All residents.
Referrals: None.
Contacts:
Tel: 020 7361 3010
Email: information@rbkc.gov.uk
Website: www.rbkc.gov.uk/leisureandlibraries/libraries.aspx

Love London Working is an ESF-funded programme that supports those living in London and not currently in any paid work, into work. They offer support to customers in a number of ways, including employability support, computer skills and online learning, direct access to job vacancies, and apprenticeships.
Eligibility: K&C residents who are aged 16+, not currently in paid work, have the right to work in the UK, and are not currently on the DWP Work Programme or any other ESF provision.
Referrals: Self.
Contacts: Erica Watts.
Tel: 0300 1000 310
Email:LoveLondonWorking@clarionhg.com
Website: https://www.lovelondonworking.com/

Notting Hill Housing Trust supports people who want to work in construction, bricklaying, plumbing, carpentry and painting and decorating. It provides tools, travel expenses, personal protective equipment and help with fees for six to nine months at college, followed by paid work experience on site, leading to an NVQ  Level 2 qualification. Also on offer are apprenticeships in Bricklaying, Carpentry, Painting, Plumbing and Electrical Installation.
Eligibility: Residents on Notting Hill Housing building sites in Kensington & Chelsea.
Referrals: Self.
Contacts:
Tel: 020 8357 4678
Email: info@nhhg.org.uk
Website: https://www.nhhg.org.uk/

Nova New Opportunities offers a wide range of free advice to help prepare, look for and find work, including finding courses, volunteering and work placements, one-to-one advice and CV workshops.
Eligibility: All adults; K&C residents have priority.
Referrals: Self.
Contacts:
Tel: 020 8960 2488
Email: admin@novanew.org.uk
Website: www.novanew.org.uk

The Octavia Foundation offer employability support both to Octavia tenants and to tri-borough residents, through our Tenants into Work and Learn2Earn programmes. Learn2Earn aims to improve confidence and enable participants to enter volunteering opportunities whilst improving their employability skills.  Over 250 local people volunteer their time with the Octavia Foundation each year, to support our work in central and west London supporting local people during times of personal difficulty or crisis. Volunteer roles are available in various sectors including: care, retail, befriending, youth, admin and digital media.

Eligibility: Octavia tenants and Westminster, H & F and K & C residents.
Referrals: Self.
Contacts:
Tel: 020 8354 5686
Email: Kyrsha.haynes@octaviafoundation.org.uk
Website: www.octaviafoundation.org.uk

Open Age provides one-to-one advice and guidance on career options, job search strategies, CV writing, referrals to learning and work placements, and a job brokerage service.
Eligibility: Aged 50 and over, unemployed and living in K&C.
Referrals: Through the Job Centre.
Contacts:
Tel: 020 8960 4853
Email: newfutures@openage.org.uk
Website: www.openage.org.uk

Portobello Business Centre provides advice and information for people wanting to start their own business or become self-employed, including business start-up and continuing growth and expansion. Organised courses, such as business start-up and marketing, are available. The centre also runs an Enterprise Club and seminars.
Eligibility: Free advice for up to 3 sessions for K&C residents.
Referrals: Self.
Contacts:
Tel: 020 7460 5050
Email: info@pbc.co.uk
Website: www.pbc.co.uk

Peabody support customers on an ESF-funded programme called ‘Love London Working’, and can help with CV-writing, job searches and applications, interview skills, training and anything else needed on their journey to employment.


Eligibility: Over 16,  unemployed and looking for work; working part time and receiving employment benefit; has the right to work in the UK.
Tel: 020 7089 1342, ask for Michelle Halley
Email: employment.training@peabody.org.uk
Website: https://www.peabody.org.uk/community-programmes/employment-and-training
Address:  Old Oak house, 43-45 Erconwald Street, London, W12 0BP or Gatehouse Office (Peabody Estate), St Johns Hill, London, SW11 1TY

PLIAS Resettlement is a community-based not-for-profit organisation and registered charity located in the London Borough of Brent. Our support services are available to residents of the London Boroughs of Brent and Harrow and other boroughs in West London.  PLIAS Resettlement was formed in September 2004 and was officially established in December 2005. Our main objective from the very beginning has been to provide numerous services, primarily targeting offenders and ex-offenders, in order to support their reintegration back into society. PLIAS Resettlement evolved from several years of debate about crime, victims of crime, perpetrators and the life-long cycle of re-offending.

Tel: 020 8838 6800
Email: enquiries@plias.co.uk.
Website: www.pliasresettlement.co.uk/project/employment/
Address: Unit 12 Bridge Park Complex, Harrow Road, London, NW10 0RG

Saint Mary Abbots Rehabilitation and Training (SMART) provides training, employment and employment support linked to a personal recovery plan to people affected by mental ill-health
Eligibility: People affected by mental ill-health who live in RBKC or who have access to a personal budget
Referrals: Use referral form for full access to SMART employment services. Self-referrals are accepted for volunteering and social support
Contacts:
Tel: 020 7372 4668
Email: info@smartlondon.org.uk 
Website: www.smartlondon.org.uk

Spear runs an interactive six-week course including skills training, CV and interview advice and a Customer Service qualification.
Eligibility: Aged 16-24 and looking for work or to get back into education.
Referrals: Self or by an organisation.
Contacts: ask for Paul
Tel: 020 8748 5824
Email: fulham@resurgo-spear.org for more information
Website: https://www.resurgo.org.uk/spear/

The Springboard Charity supports people to find sustainable employment in hospitality, leisure and tourism.
Eligibility: Anyone living in the borough.
Referrals: Self.
Contacts: Anyone in London team.
Tel: 020 7921 0420
Email: info@springboarduk.org.uk
Website: https://charity.springboard.uk.net/

Volunteer Centre Kensington & Chelsea provides work experience placements and job searching advice and support.
Eligibility: Unemployed residents in the north of the borough, plus ex-offenders and people on welfare-to-work programmes who live in West London:
Referrals: Self.
Contacts: Ola
Tel: 020 8960 3722
Email: ola@vckc.org.uk
Website: www.voluntarywork.org.uk

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