Who are all these organisations?
You'll see a lot of names when you start looking for work. Most of them are on your side, and a few of them can help you directly. Here's who they are and how to reach them.
The Jobcentre
The Jobcentre (its full name is Jobcentre Plus) is where you go to claim Universal Credit and to see a work coach. Every town of any size has one. Work coaches there help people your age look for work, and some Jobcentres run sessions just for 16 to 24 year olds. Some Youth Hubs are set up together with the Jobcentre.
How they help you: benefit claims, a work coach, referrals to Youth Hubs and local schemes.
Use the "Find your nearest Jobcentre" link on your search results page, or search "Jobcentre" plus your town. Universal Credit is managed through your online Universal Credit account, or ask at your Jobcentre.
The DWP
The Department for Work and Pensions. The government department that runs the Jobcentres and pays benefits. You'll see "DWP" on letters and on some Youth Hub pages, because the DWP helped set many hubs up. You won't need to contact the DWP directly. Everything you need from them goes through the Jobcentre or your online Universal Credit account.
How they help you: they fund and run the system behind the Jobcentre and many Youth Hubs.
Website: gov.uk/dwp
Your local council
Also called the "local authority". Councils run a lot more than bins. Most have a team that helps young people into work or training, and some run Youth Hubs themselves. Councils also deal with housing help and, if you're 16 or 17 and have nowhere safe to live, their children's services team has a duty to help you.
How they help you: youth employment schemes, housing help, support if you're under 18 and in a difficult situation.
Search online for your town or area plus the word "council", then search the council's site for "youth employment".
The National Careers Service
Free careers advice for anyone in England, by phone or webchat, so it works wherever you are. Advisers help with career choices, CVs, applications and finding courses.
How they help you: talk through what you might do next, and get practical help with applications.
Phone: 0800 100 900
Outside England: Scotland has Skills Development Scotland, 0800 917 8000, myworldofwork.co.uk; Wales has Careers Wales and Northern Ireland has Careers Service NI (search the name to find their site and phone line).
Website: nationalcareers.service.gov.uk
The King's Trust
The biggest youth charity in the country for getting into work. It used to be called The Prince's Trust. If you're 16 to 30 and out of work, education or training, they run free courses, one-to-one support and short programmes that end with a work placement or a job interview.
How they help you: free courses, mentoring, help starting a business, and grants to remove things that are stopping you working.
Phone: 0800 842 842 — Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm
Citizens Advice
Free, confidential advice on almost any problem: benefits, money, debt, housing, work, and your rights. There's a local office in most towns and a national phone line.
How they help you: working out what you're entitled to, sorting out a benefit problem, dealing with debt, knowing your rights at work.
Phone: 0800 144 8848 — England. In Wales, 0800 702 2020.
In Scotland, Citizens Advice Scotland; in Northern Ireland, Advice NI (search the name for their phone line).
Website: citizensadvice.org.uk
Turn2us
A charity with two tools worth ten minutes of your time. The Benefits Calculator tells you what money you could claim. The Grants Search finds charities that give money you don't have to pay back, for things like a laptop, travel costs, or work clothes.
How they help you: finding money you didn't know you could get.
Their phone helpline has closed; the tools and webchat are on the site.
Website: turn2us.org.uk
Shelter
The housing charity. If you're homeless, might be soon, or have nowhere safe to sleep tonight, they have an emergency helpline. They also have plain-English advice on renting, deposits and your rights as a tenant.
How they help you: urgent housing advice, and knowing your rights if you rent.
Phone: 0808 800 4444 — England, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. The line gets busy, so keep trying.
Outside England: Shelter Scotland and Shelter Cymru have their own advice lines; search the name to find them.
Website: shelter.org.uk
Catch22
A charity that runs services for young people in many parts of the country, including help with finding work, training and apprenticeships. They work in partnership with councils and the Jobcentre, so you might meet them through a Youth Hub or a local scheme.
How they help you: employment and training programmes in the areas where they operate.
Website: catch-22.org.uk
Contact details last checked 11 September 2026.