Since 2021, Palladium has delivered the Department for Work and Pensions’ Restart Scheme in the South-Central area of England, helping thousands of people that are unemployed to find meaningful work.

Designed to support people who have been unemployed for 6 months or more, Restart provides tailored employability support and interventions for jobseekers in their local area through a mixed mode of support, both virtual and face-to-face. Whether jobseekers need training, support for job applications and interviews, financial help, health and wellbeing support,

Restart has been there to help them take the next steps towards work.
As Phase 1 of the program comes to a close, the results paint a picture of hope, impact and connection. The program has now worked with over 6,500 jobseekers, helping them get into over 2,900 jobs.

So far, 1,863 of Restart participants have reached an earning threshold in work, as well as a sustained income.

“There are so many incredible stories of impact from Restart phase 1, but one that really stuck with me came from a Restart participant,” says Caroline Bostock, Palladium’s Director of Employability and Community Services. “She’d just been promoted for the second time in three months, after we helped her back into work. Before coming to Restart she’d felt like giving up, but her Employment Adviser helped build her confidence – Restart made her feel ‘normal’ again.”

The impact of Restart has been well recognised, with Palladium recently awarded a three-year contract extension. Following the extension that was awarded in July 2024, Restart continues to expand, with the program expected to support more than 4,900 people over the coming years. Eligibility has also been widened to include participants who have been on benefits for six months – previously, it was nine months.

Becky Brocklehurst, Palladium Operations Director for the Restart scheme, says that Restart continues to do its core business well: connecting job seekers with good quality and sustainable jobs.

“Restart engages with local community organisations, local employment partnerships, local councils, and also looks at how to better engage with local employers to support managing their vacancies,” she explains. “Part of Restart is acting as a central pin for all of those organisations, and for the people we are here to support to ensure we can provide the best possible support to our customers.”

“We continue to partner with organisations that can deliver accredited training for our customers, and then link local employers to that pool of people so we can do guaranteed interviews for them.”

Looking forward, the team is energised to continue creating positive impact by supporting people into sustainable employment.

For more, contact info@thepalladiumgroup.com.