Inclusive Employment Grant Scheme Open for Applications

Essex County Council is offering money to help small businesses hire and support people with learning disabilities and/or autism. There is £195,000 available and businesses can apply for up to £25,000 each.

The goal is to break down employment barriers and help people into meaningful work.  

Businesses can use the money for things like:

• Staff wages
• Training
• Start-up costs
• Extra employee support

Eligible businesses must:

• Have a new and creative idea
• Want to hire and support people with learning disabilities and/or autism
• Want to grow and offer new opportunities

Alex Stone, from Circles Alternative Education used this funding before and said:

“The funding has been so important to allow us to fully support our young people to grow and develop their skills and receive emotional and social support, as they learn to engage with the workplace environment. We hope this will lead to greater career aspirations for them and a brilliant future”. 

How to apply:

To request an application pack via email using the button below 

Applications close on 12 August 2025

Request an application pack