Apply Now: Inclusive Employment Grant Scheme (UK)

The focus areas of this opportunity are support local businesses in breaking down barriers and creating real and meaningful jobs for individuals with additional needs, support a range of business needs including salaries, business start-up costs or equipment and training, staff salaries for a maximum for 6 months of the agreement, business start-up costs, legal fees, buildings, adaptations, uniforms, equipment, training and technology, innovative ideas, or existing businesses wanting to open or expand to employ people with learning disabilities and/or autism, a new, creative, innovative business proposal, a proposal that is both viable and sustainable, and open or expand your business to employ adults with learning disabilities and/or autism.

Applications are now open for a business grant of up to £25,000. This grant is designed to help local employers create job opportunities for individuals with learning disabilities and autism, contributing to more inclusive employment pathways within the Epping Forest district. The funding aims to reduce employment inequalities by supporting sustainable roles that continue beyond the initial grant period.

Businesses may use the funding to cover staff salaries for individuals with learning disabilities and/or autism for up to six months. After that period, applicants must demonstrate how salary costs will be sustained from month six to month twenty-four. Funding may also be allocated to start-up costs, legal fees, building adaptations, uniforms, equipment, training, and required technology.

This opportunity is open to small and medium-sized enterprises operating locally that wish to open or expand initiatives that create employment opportunities for adults with learning disabilities and autism. It supports organisations with viable, creative, and innovative proposals that can generate long-term positive impact.

For more information, visit Epping Forest District Council.