Northamptonshire (West)

ASK

• Explore how the person currently feels about work or finding work.

“How are you feeling about your employment situation at the moment?”

“Is working or volunteering something you’re thinking about?”

• Ask what strengths, skills, or interests they already recognise in themselves.

ASSESS

• Understand their current circumstances: skills, experience, confidence levels, and any barriers (health, caring responsibilities, lack of experience, etc.).
• Explore what kind of work, training, or volunteering they might be interested in.
• Identify their level of readiness: Are they exploring? Preparing? Actively applying?

ACT

• Provide information on where to get support with CVs, applications, training, and skill-building.
• Encourage small, achievable steps — updating a CV, exploring training, or considering volunteering.
• Signpost to local employment, volunteering, and adult learning services (see resources).
• Reinforce that support is available locally and that work or volunteering can positively impact wellbeing.

Conversation tips

• Highlight the wellbeing benefits: Being employed or volunteering can boost confidence, structure, and social connections.
• Encourage preparation: Keeping a CV up to date makes applications easier and less stressful.
• Promote learning: Adult learning courses can help people build new skills and confidence.
• Normalise seeking support: Job Centre Plus and local services are there to help — people don’t need to manage alone.
• Focus on strengths: Help the person recognise their value and transferable skills.

Resources

• Adult Social Care – LIVE Team
  Support for adults (18+) with eligible needs to achieve goals around employment, independence, and volunteering.
• Volunteering opportunities (WNC):
  • Volunteering in libraries
  • Volunteering in parks
  • Jobs, apprenticeships, and volunteering opportunities through West Northamptonshire Council
• West Northants Empowerment Project for NEET Support for young people not in education, employment, or training — CV help, soft skills, financial literacy, and employability training. Contact: Team@shudancic.co.uk
• Jobcentre Plus: Advice on benefits, job searching, skills development, and work preparation.