Citizens Summary: Annual Implementation Report 2021
Published 27 March 2023
Applies to England
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Programme Overview
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the European Commission formally agreed and adopted the European Social Fund (ESF) Operational Programme (OP) in September 2015. It was then launched by the Minister for Employment in January 2016.
As part of the Government’s overall growth activity, the ESF Programme has been supporting projects across the country since 2015 and, through the EU Exit agreement, will continue to do so until 31st December 2023.
ESF is delivered through a range of partners, including other Government Departments and bodies across public, private and third-party sectors.
EU funds require co-financing from either public or private sources, therefore, ESF in England works in part with four national Co-Financing Organisations (CFOs):
- Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
- Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA)
- Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS)
- National Lottery Community Fund ((NLCF) previously known as Big Lottery Fund (BLF)), through their Building Better Opportunities programme (BBO)
DWP acts as the Managing Authority for the Programme.
The objective of the Programme is to contribute to local growth by improving social inclusion, education, training and equality for those furthest from the Labour Market and has an ultimate aim to bring these individuals in, or closer, to sustainable and continued employment, with additional targeted focus on certain vulnerable groups.
ESF supports efforts to reduce employment gaps, for instance by ensuring an appropriate proportion of participants are: Women; Over 50; Disabled; or from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, and specific activities are delivered to tackle youth unemployment in areas where the rate is particularly high. This has been especially important in providing targeted recovery from the impacts of COVID-19.
The Programme also aims to develop a skilled and adaptable workforce which, in turn, increases productivity. By improving access to lifelong learning for all, ESF supports a range of activities; from helping people tackle basic skills needs, through to developing intermediate and higher levels skills that they and their employers need.
Over its duration, the total value of the Programme is €3.49bn.
At the end of December 2021, £2.96bn (€3.4bn[footnote 1]) of funding had been allocated to 715 contracts, with £1.73bn (€1.98bn[footnote 1])) claims paid to projects.
ESF is only used where there is a demonstrable need, such as where there are gaps in the Labour Market provision provided by DWP or government, or where ESF will add value to, and not duplicate, existing nationally funded provision to support employment and skills.
The map below shows the 38[footnote 2] Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) areas where ESF England is delivered. The ‘Categories of Region’ (CoRs) indicate the level of ESF funding provided by the European Union (EU), with the remainder being made up of ‘Match’ funding from either public or private sources.
Less Developed – up to 80% EU funding
Transitional – up to 60% EU funding
More Developed – up to 50% EU funding
Each LEP area has developed strategies to ensure funding focuses on local needs. These strategies inform the Calls for funding in each area that are published on GOV.UK by the Managing Authority and include all ESF CFO tendering opportunities.
Implemented Activities
The programme contributes to policies to add growth to the employment rate by increasing the numbers of unemployed and economically inactive people entering into sustainable jobs.
The types of activities currently being delivered with the aid of ESF funding are detailed below:
1. Young people and the Youth Employment Initiative
ESF is being used to fund support which prepares young people for working life, by reducing the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (known as NEET) or are at risk of becoming NEET.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, youth unemployment had been at a record low, however, ESF interventions for young people are more critical now than ever to help boost their skills or prepare them for work during these challenging times for Society.
In addition, ESF helps contribute to continuing efforts in reducing child poverty for low income households.
The Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) provides a separate European funding source that complements ESF funding in areas where youth unemployment is especially high. YEI Projects demonstrate the positive impact ESF is having in supporting young people from some of the most disadvantaged backgrounds to overcome multiple barriers, gain new skills and move in, or closer, to employment and training.
2. Support to improve mental health
Poor mental health can often be a barrier to successful employment due to the day-to-day side effects of a condition and, by using a variety of approaches and activities that engage and motivate people, ESF funded projects are helping to tackle the impacts of mental health issues. They also recognise the impact of isolation for people living in rural parts of the country and are helping participants manage and overcome this.
3. People with disabilities and health conditions
The effects of a disability or health condition can make it more difficult for a person to find and sustain employment. ESF projects provide tailored support to help people address these additional barriers to finding work and support them in entering the labour market.
4. Community level funding opportunities
ESF helps support the specific needs of projects that work directly with local communities, often working with marginalised and socially excluded people. This enables small, locally based organisations gain access to funding that will provide support to the areas with which they are familiar.
5. Individualised job preparation support
Individualised support, which includes providing one-to-one mentoring or information, advice and guidance, is used effectively to help people navigate the services available to them, and attain or improve job-searching skills, such as interview techniques and CV writing.
This type of personalised support helps remove barriers to gaining employment or accessing other programmes funded by the UK Government, and can continue to help sustain employment after that person has been hired.
6. Upskilling unemployed people
Sometimes an unemployed person’s barrier to work is a lack of relevant skills for the workplace, for example, they might lack digital skills, basic English and Maths qualifications, or more industry-specific skills needed for the local area. ESF projects are providing this type of upskilling support to remove potential employment barriers.
7. Upskilling the Workforce and Working with Employers
Across England, ESF projects are working with local industry and employers to determine skills gaps and offer provision to fill these gaps with potential new recruits, in addition to providing support to upskill existing employees.
As a result of such projects, employers can highlight where opportunities exist for employment and work experience, to successfully fill any gaps by successfully bringing together the needs of the local economy with the local workforce.
This support increases the knowledge and capabilities of the workforce which, in turn, encourages business growth.
8. Working with Partners
In addition to any mainstream support, ESF can add value to local areas by bringing partners and services together, which enables project participants to access valuable advice and support that meets their needs. Partners and agencies are working with participants to gain new skills and confidence to move them closer to, and into, employment.
9. Innovative approaches
ESF funding provides the opportunity for projects to deliver support using new and different approaches, such as maximising technology to engage and train participants, or developing innovative solutions to solving problems and improving services.
Case Studies – Good Practice
There are several case studies for ESF’s diverse projects on GOV.UK but a few examples of these are detailed below:
Positive Progressions – York and North Yorkshire (£6.4k EU funding)
This is delivered across Craven, Harrogate, Selby and York, to help disadvantaged individuals and families experiencing a range of complex challenges get back into sustainable employment, by providing mentoring and support around health, finances, and skills.
Co-funded by NLCF, it supports economically inactive or unemployed individuals to overcome barriers and move closer towards employment, as well as addressing a range of social issues such as poverty, isolation, and social exclusion.
Participants are assigned a dedicated key worker to develop a personalised support programme, for their individual’s needs. Tailored support includes signposting, referrals, and access to mainstream or other services, such as, health-related barriers, to help them become work-ready. There is also one-to-one wellbeing and resilience coaching.
Specifically designed measurement tools, using simple statements, illustrate to participants where they are on their personal journey. These capture changes in wellbeing, confidence, resilience, and work-readiness over the duration of the project.
Intervention partners provide the project with a range of activities, including skills development in Maths, English, Information and Communications Technology, financial capability and debt advice, household management and healthy eating on a budget.
To October 2021, the project had supported 241 participants with 96 having moved into employment.
Step-Up programme – Greater Brighton, West Sussex and East Surrey (£7.2k EU funding)
This is an internship and training programme that enables small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to sustain and grow their businesses through fully funded graduate internships.
Step-Up, (SMEs Transformation Engagement Programme – Universities Partnership) was designed to bridge the gap between the supply of graduates with high-level skills, and the demand for workforce-ready employees with the vocational and employability skills required by SMEs.
The University of Brighton and University of Sussex provide support through a series of specialist masterclasses, hosted by subject and industry experts, focused on recruiting, retaining, and upskilling staff. The programme also trained and mentored graduates through a parallel skills workshop to equip them with key skill sets desired by local employers such as, professionalism, resilience and thinking creatively.
Following the masterclass series, SMEs were able to create an internship proposition and take on a fully funded graduate intern for six weeks.
To November 2021, Step-Up has supported 140 SMEs to complete the skills masterclass programme, and 230 graduates have completed the parallel employability workshop training programme. From this, 111 of these graduates have secured funded internships with Step-Up SMEs.
The West of England Works - Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Bath and North-East Somerset (£6m EU funding)
This project aims to help long-term unemployed and economically inactive people secure sustainable employment.
The project, led by Weston College and co-funded by NLCF, is delivered with voluntary and community organisations based in Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Bath and North-East Somerset.
Individualised support is offered to help people of all ages who face multiple and often complex barriers to work achieve their personal goals. This support includes addressing the needs of young people not in education, employment and training (NEET), people belonging to ethnic minorities, carers, ex-offenders, those with long-term health issues and people with a history of substance abuse. The aim is to ensure that once people leave the project, they will be able to benefit from skills they have acquired and sustain their employment.
Support differs by participant but may include: one-to-one and separate group sessions covering, for example, counselling, confidence building, skills development in the participants preferred area, money management, literacy and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) skills development, and housing advice and support.
Other measures available to help improve employability and assist transition to employment include: English as a second language (ESOL) support, periods of supported work experience, job matching, close working with Jobcentre Plus and other agencies, and support for the participant’s wider family and social network.
To September 2021, 2256 participants have benefited from the project. Almost 50% of those supported have gone on to achieve a progression into job search, employment, or education; and those that have left the project have reported improvements in either their confidence, mental health or awareness of opportunities
Love London Working (£16.9m EU Funding)
This is a partnership of 9 housing associations based in London, seeking to recruit unemployed and economically inactive Londoners, aged over 16, into employment.
Love London Working engages participants directly with mental health trusts, schools and community centres through its network of relationship partners within local organisations in deprived areas.
The support offered includes vocational training, money guidance and digital skills as well as support with CV writing, job applications and interview practice. To reduce barriers to employment and enable full access to participation in the project, participants receive counselling and support related to mental health and family issues, health and lifestyle advice and well-being.
From 2016 to November 2021, 21,989 participants have been supported, with 6,804 entering into employment.
Skills Support for the Workforce – New Anglia (£2.4m EU Funding)
This project supports businesses and employees, including those affected by redundancies, through the delivery of fully-funded skills training.
It is co-funded by the ESFA and delivered by Steadfast Training, together with 7 further providers, to ensure all New Anglia’s priority sectors can be supported.
Supported Businesses are analysed and presented with an assessment of their skills needs, leading to the identification and subsequent delivery of appropriate vocational training. The aim is to support individuals into higher levels of training, workplace progression or an apprenticeship; and to improve business competitiveness.
The project offers a variety of courses including Business Administration Level 2 and Diploma Level 3 units, bespoke Word, Excel and PowerPoint courses, Early Years Childcare, a range of Level 2 Construction qualifications, Customer Service, Team Leading and Management training,
To February 2022 the project has supported 1725 individuals of which 452 have progressed within work, into education or an apprenticeship.
7-Step Civilian Skills Programme – Worcestershire and Herefordshire (£20k EU funding)
This is a free 40-hour course for veterans of the British Armed Forces and family members who find themselves unemployed. It focuses on mental health awareness, integration and support to access education and employment opportunities.
STEPWAY, who run the project, work to support all British Armed Forces veterans in civilian life, regardless of their background or circumstance. It is co-funded by the ESFA and was approved through Worcestershire County Council.
Prior to joining the programme, it is important each person’s needs and potential barriers are identified through an assessment of dynamic and static needs. This can identify specific needs such as Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), adjustment disorder and/or survivor’s guilt which, in turn, increases the learner’s risk to substance misuse.
There is a focus on issues relating to adapting to civilian life, mental health and the core foundational skills often missing from a veteran skill set. Steps 1-5 of the programme inform and empower veterans by providing them with greater awareness, understanding, confidence and control on how to adapt better to civilian life. So, at Step 6, which covers issues linked to entering education or employment, they are ready to engage and, more importantly, sustain their home-life and job for the long-term.
The programme lays out the foundations to be part of their wider community, including moving towards and into work. The integration and acceptance of veterans in local communities has benefits for the individuals supported, but also supports local growth within businesses, employment, and educational establishments, which benefits the whole community. Feedback reveals that 96% of veterans participating in the programme have returned to work, education or found a volunteering role. So far, the programme has supported 19 participants.
Connecting Opportunities – West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire (£4m EU funding)
This is a project supporting new migrants to develop their employment skills, find work and be part of their local community. It does not provide support with immediate needs, such as housing, immigration advice or benefits.
Co-funded by NLCF, the project is led by Migration Yorkshire and delivered by 10 third-sector organisations, which specialise in working with migrants across West and, parts of, North Yorkshire - Craven, Harrogate, Selby, and York.
Connecting Opportunities started in 2017 and aims to support the most vulnerable and marginalised new migrants to integrate and become economically active members of the wider community. The project recognises that migrants can face many barriers to work and that they have skills, strengths and potential, which could remain untapped if they do not receive support.
Specialist activities delivered, include one-to-one counselling, employment and training support, conversational and English Language support, cultural orientation, as well as well-being and social activities to reduce isolation and improve confidence.
The project also creates opportunities for local people to become volunteer mentors and befrienders, for employers to provide work placements to help migrants get a foothold in the job market - and for participants to influence the project, through volunteering as Connecting Opportunities Champions.
By 30 September 2021, the project has supported over 1406 new migrants with over 67% having moved into employment, education or training, and 66% feeling closer to the job market.
Inside and Out – Greater Manchester (£220k EU funding)
This was delivered until February 2021, the aim of the project was to support prisoners and ex-offenders to progress into education, training and employment to increase their opportunities of living a crime-free life.
HMPPS co-funded the project, which was delivered by Achieve North-West and Back on Track, to help reduce reoffending. The course was delivered to prisoners who were within 12 weeks of release and was followed by intensive post release support.
Following enrolment, with the assistance of a caseworker, participants would agree and take forward a personalised action plan. Whilst in custody, they undertook life skills course modules covering health and wellbeing, financial management, social inclusion, work preparation, and housing. Guest speakers and partner agencies would attend the sessions, and participant successes were celebrated with accredited awards.
The education, training and employment support included specialist opportunities around volunteering and enterprise mentoring, plus one-to-one employability support tailored to individual needs. Pre-release action plans were completed to cover practical and personal goals, and actions related to matters such as housing, finances, or mental health.
On release, participants received ongoing one-to-one support to enable them to settle, engage with their community, and connect with key services. This included having immediate access to all courses and education sessions at Back on Track and being part of that community. Participants were also advised about learning opportunities at external providers and received specific employability guidance which covered disclosure of convictions.
Tutors accompanied participants to appointments and connected them with relevant services. Each person’s action plan was continually reviewed and updated to reflect any changes in their situation, needs, or priorities.
There were 481 positive outcomes, for 107 participants, during the lifetime of the project, which included training courses, gaining employment, volunteering positions, mentoring support and further education courses.
Communication
ESF is part of European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) which has a dedicated site at www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.
This website:
- contains key programme documents, guidance and governance information; plus annual booklets featuring project case studies to publicise activities and achievements
- provides access to the bespoke, fully searchable ‘funding finder’ tool where project calls for the ESIF programme are located. A separate page provides access to funding opportunities from ESF CFOs
- hosts a searchable list of beneficiaries
- sets out branding and publicity requirements (including access to logos and poster templates) to support partners/projects in their delivery
‘England European Social Programme 2014–2020’ booklet
This was published in 2022 and can be found at England European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020 on GOV.UK.
Social media activity
You can follow ESIF activities @esif1420england.
ESIF also has a dedicated YouTube channel, ESIF YouTube channel, uploading films, including some highlights from successful projects.