WHAT’S THE KICKSTART SCHEME ALL ABOUT?
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to create new six-month job placements for 16 to 24-year-olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long-term unemployment.

Kickstart Scheme funding is available at 100% of each salary up to 25 hours per week, including National Insurance contributions and minimum automatic enrolment pension contributions. The government will provide an additional £1,500 per job placement, to help with set-up costs and training for the new employee.

To be eligible, employers must be creating new jobs that haven’t already been planned. The new roles must not replace job losses. Employers can spread out the start dates of the job placements up until the end of December 2021.

WHAT ARE THE RECENT CHANGES?
Until 3 February 2021, companies were required to provide a minimum of 30 job placements in order to apply for the scheme, which excluded many small firms from applying directly. Smaller firms had the option of working with Kickstart gateway organisations, to pull together different companies who could then apply together in one application.

Now the cap of 30 placements has been scrapped, meaning businesses have the option to apply online or continue to get help from an approved Kickstart gateway organisation already working with the scheme.

WE’RE AN APPROVED KICKSTART GATEWAY
We’re pleased to announce that we are now an approved Kickstart gateway, meaning we can manage the entire application process on your behalf. We can save you time, take the stress out of the process, and provide the added peace of mind that your application will be submitted correctly first time. We can also provide support with the detailed criteria that you’ll need to meet for each placement.

If you would like to enjoy the benefit of professional support with your Kickstart Scheme application, please get in touch with us today.

KICKSTART SCHEME TERMS AND ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Each job placement must last for a minimum of six months and for at least 25 hours per week
Applicants to the scheme must have been an established limited company or charity for the last 12 months
Applications will need to provide information about the company, as well as details about the roles and where they’ll be based
The grant application will also need to include details of how the employer will support and develop the skills and experience of each employee on a Kickstart Scheme placement. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) may contact employers at any point during the placement to check what support is being offered to the individual
I’VE ALREADY APPLIED – NOW WHAT?
If your application meets the necessary criteria, it will go to a panel for consideration. It’s generally expected that a decision will be reached within one month. If your application is unsuccessful, don’t worry – you’ll have the opportunity to reapply if you wish. As an approved Kickstart gateway, we can help you understand the feedback you’ve received and fix the problems with your first application.

Once your funding has been confirmed, you’ll need to sign and return your agreement along with job descriptions for each of the job placements you’ve applied for.

HOW DO I FIND SUITABLE CANDIDATES?
The Kickstart Scheme will match your placements and put forward a selection of suitable candidates for you to choose from. It’s important to remember that you’ll only receive funding for candidates put forward by the scheme.

STILL UNSURE? DON’T WORRY, WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED!
If you have any questions about applying for a Kickstart Scheme grant or would like our help as a Kickstart gateway, please get in touch with us on 0844 682 7488.

Recommended Insights
Navigating Negative Resignations: Our Top Tips
Employee resignations are an inevitable part of running a business. While some exits are amicable and mutually agreed upon, others may in...
Love is in the Air: Navigating Relationships in the Workplace
If you can remember that far back, you’ll know that school was always more fun when you were going out with someone. It just gave y...
Handling Difficult Conversations: From Stress to Success in the Workplace
Picture this: you're a new manager, tasked with addressing performance issues, resolving conflicts, and delivering critical feedback....
Agile HR: How to find the best HR System for you
There’s no way around it, we are firmly in the golden age, or maybe even platinum age, of technology. We cannot move for the want o...
Checkatrade Trustpilot Gardeners World Live FCA iTV Grand Designs

This site uses some cookies to store information on your computer. By using our site you accept our Terms And Conditions and Privacy Policy.

×