Midlothian’s Employer Recruitment Incentives 2026/2027

Midlothian Council’s Employer Recruitment Incentive helps Midlothian parents with the greatest barriers to employment, get jobs and stay in jobs. It is funded and administered by Midlothian Council in line with the Scottish Government No One Left Behind ethos.

Employers can apply for funding to help with the costs of recruiting and employing someone who fits the eligibility criteria. It can provide up to £10,000 and employers who are successful in applying receive the money direct.

 

Is the incentive for my organisation?

Make sure you can say yes to all the points below before you read on.

  • The job hasn’t started yet.
  • Your parents live in Midlothian.
  • The new job starts between 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2027.
  • The job has a permanent contract of employment.
  • You pay the Real Living Wage rates or above.

 

What does the incentive offer?

The incentive offers a tiered grant amount of up to £10,000 over a period of 52 weeks per employee. This is based on the hourly rate of pay and contracted hours for each employee as shown below:

Parents aged between 16-67 years and jobs:
Between 10-15 hours at Real Living Wage rates or above £4,000
Between 16-20 hours at Real Living Wage rates or above £6,000
Between 21-29 hours at Real Living Wage rates or above £8,000
Above 30 hours or more at Real Living Wage rates or above £10,000

We pay the funds directly to you, the employer, at four staged intervals over 52 weeks.

 

Who can I employ?

You can employ someone who meets all five of the following criteria:

  • is unemployed
  • is a parent with dependent children
  • is aged between 16-67 years
  • has the right to live and work in the UK
  • live in Midlothian
  • falls within one or more of the fund’s eligible groups.

 

What can I use the incentive for?

You can use the incentive to help with the costs of recruiting and keeping a person in employment. Costs may include:

  • Wages
  • Additional supervisory costs
  • Initial travel to work costs
  • Training
  • Specialist support designed to help a person sustain a post
  • Other job-related costs.

 

Eligible groups are below:

  • Disabled and/or deaf parent (includes those experiencing mental health issues and those who have impairment or long-term health condition).
  • Long term unemployed (defined as 12 months out of work).

 

How to apply

You can get more information and submit an application to: Sharon.armstrong@midlothian.gov.uk

Alternatively, you can contact us at:

Email: CLL@midlothian.gov.uk

Telephone: 0131 270 8900