European Social Fund 2014 to 2020 programme: case study booklet 2020

Question 1

Introduction

Accepted Answer

The European Social Fund (ESF) programme in England contributes to local growth by increasing labour market participation, promoting social inclusion and developing the skills of the potential and existing workforce. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is the Managing Authority for the programme.

Since March 2015 the current ESF programme has been supporting projects across the country. At the end of August 2020, £2.3 billion of EU funding had been allocated, which has helped around 1.5 million people. ESF projects can run up to 2023.

As part of the Government’s overall growth activity, ESF is delivered with a range of partners, including other Government Departments and bodies across public, private and third sectors. EU funds require national co-financing (known as ‘match’ funding’) from either public or private sources. ESF in England works with four national Co-Financing Organisations (CFOs) which help commit, spend and manage some of the funds available and these are:

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA)
Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS)
The National Lottery Community Fund, through their Building Better Opportunities programme.

As well as the CFO funding arrangements above, there are some local CFOs and organisations that can bid directly for funding, sourcing their own match funding for a project.

Take a look below at some local ESF projects across England that are helping people improve their employability, gain new skills, move towards and into work, or provide other positive outcomes; and how delivery has changed since March 2020 when COVID-19 restrictions were introduced.

You can also find out more by accessing the full list of projects funded through the England ESF programme

and information on ESF Co-financing Organisations

Question 2

East and South East Region

Accepted Answer

Step Forward (Skills Support for The Workforce and Skills Support for Redundancy)

Through its Step Forward project which is a skills support for the workforce and Skills Support for redundancy project, co-funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency, Skills Training UK and its delivery partners are working with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to upskill staff and improve business productivity and competitiveness across the Coast to Capital area.

Step Forward offers employees a range of qualifications to match individual need. These include basic skills, higher level vocational courses, leadership and team-leading. This support improves people’s career prospects through providing outcomes such as promotions, higher pay and access to better job opportunities.

The project, also works with businesses that are making redundancies. This support focuses on up-skilling or re-skilling individuals at risk of redundancy or those recently made redundant, providing training to increase their employability and help keep them in employment.

Up to September 2020, this project has supported around 170 SMEs and 1,074 people.

Links to Work - Hampshire, South and West Surrey

Links to Work is delivered by Fedcap, co-funded by the Department for Work and Pensions and delivers support to participants across the Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership area. The project is voluntary and offers 52 weeks of individually tailored support via designated caseworkers.

Activities are designed to help improve the employability prospects of people furthest away from the labour market. Priority groups include: long-term unemployed people with multiple barriers; disadvantaged people; economically inactive people with disabilities or health conditions; lone parents, and young people not in education, employment or training.

Participants have access to a range of support via individual and group sessions, and to online employability courses including practical soft skills training and job-related customer training. Other specialist services include: health and wellbeing; financial and housing; mentoring and advocacy; volunteering opportunities; addressing digital exclusion, and Information and Communication Technologies support.

Community Connections South - Cambridgeshire

Operating mainly across Cambridgeshire and co-funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, the Community Connections South project offers flexible support that helps people build the skills and confidence they need to make that step into work.

The project is run by the Papworth Trust and supports people aged 15 or over, who are not in work, including people who are socially isolated.

Local partner organisations focus on helping people back into work or into employment for the first time. Specialist support is available, including for women who have experienced domestic violence, people with physical disabilities, learning difficulties or mental health conditions.

Participants are also encouraged to engage in community events and take on volunteering roles that develop their confidence, self-esteem and help them feel more connected to where they live. Employment focused education and training is available, including community learning, accredited learning and work training.

Coaching, counselling services and signposting to more mainstream employability programmes are also provided. At the end of June 2020, the project had supported 345 participants, with 81 going into employment and 107 moving nearer the workplace by entering training, education or enhanced job search.

Read more about Community Connections South

PLACE 21 - West Suffolk

The West Suffolk College led “PLACE 21 Programme” comprised three separate ESF projects aimed at engaging businesses and inspiring people to learn through special initiatives. Delivered across the West Suffolk area, the focus was supporting people already in the labour market, helping those furthest from the labour market to take steps towards employability and working with small and medium enterprises to bring them closer to the world of education.

Over 30 innovative approaches were piloted, aimed at influencing how the Further Education (FE) sector responds to industry and community need.

Achievements include: delivering 197 additional Level 2 & 3 qualifications; supporting over 20 young people in regional and national skills competitions; introducing over 50 businesses to the FE sector often for the first time, and developing exciting industry collaborations. These have made a significant impact to over 1,000 participants’ lives.

The projects have been succeeded by three more ESF projects focused on a Youth Pledge and the idea of skills convergence – bridging the gap between what is taught in classrooms and what is needed in the workplace. These projects are finding innovative ways of combatting the obstacles presented by COVID-19 and continue to make a difference to people’s lives through online delivery. This has led to new ways of working and communicating – and in some instances has resulted in improved engagement with learners.

Removing Barriers Rebuilding Lives - Oxfordshire

The Removing Barriers Rebuilding Lives project supports individuals aged 19 or over who are long-term unemployed, to gain the skills and confidence they need to be able to enter employment, education or training.

The project is delivered by Activate Learning, co-funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and involves a range of local partners. Some main priority groups being supported include: the unemployed and economically inactive; people aged 50 and above; ethnic minorities; people with disabilities, and people living in rural communities.

The project helps people make the most of existing education and work opportunities, as well as improve their work readiness. Support is tailored to meet individual needs and includes: one-to-one mentoring and guidance from a coach; access to volunteering or training opportunities; childcare provision, and getting ready for work through help with job hunting skills and CV writing.

Whilst improving the life chances for individuals, the project also hopes to help fill recruitment gaps for employers and contribute to the county’s economic development.

Throughout the COVID-19 restrictions the project has adapted its delivery model to focus on remote contact with its participants to ensure relationships are maintained with those who require ongoing support.

Since June 2016 the project has supported over 800 participants with more than 250 progressing into employment and a further 100 moving into training or education.

Read more about Removing Barriers Rebuilding Lives

Langley House Trust - South East

Housing Charity Langley House Trust provides specialist advice and support to prisoners and ex-offenders in the community. It is part of an HMPPS (Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service) CFO3 programme run by Ixion to help reduce reoffending.

The support available includes identifying and accessing community services, building new links and relationships and practical support with multiple and complex needs such as addressing debt, gambling and homelessness issues.

A major focus for the programme is securing accommodation for offenders facing reintegration following long sentences, in order to ensure their transition back into the community is successful.

During COVID-19 restrictions, many face to face appointments with participants have been suspended. A new delivery model focuses on support with online learning, applications and telephone assessments. This adapted, continuous support means that individuals have been able to progress with their journeys throughout lockdown.

At September 2020 the programme has supported 121 people on the programme. During the participant’s CFO3 journey, they can achieve a number of outcomes in the areas of core activities, supportive measures, education and employment.

Skills Support for the Workforce - Hertfordshire

Skills Support for the Workforce (SSW) is a programme co-funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and delivered by Serco (in Hertfordshire), which has been developed to upskill employees within small and medium sized (SMEs) businesses.

The programme provides recognised accredited qualifications and bespoke training courses to enhance employees’ skills, increase the competitiveness of businesses and boost local priority economies. In Hertfordshire these are: Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering and IT, Life Sciences, Defence and Aerospace, Software, ICT and Telecoms, Film and Digital Media, Construction, Financial and Business, and High-end Logistics.

One company that has been supported by SSW is the Hertfordshire-based SME Atlantic Contracts, a specialist carpentry and joinery contractor. The company accessed skills training to overcome their challenge of recruiting skilled people. A detailed analysis highlighted the business’ training needs which included supporting new team members to achieve a formal qualification as part of their induction and providing existing employees with the opportunity to continue their professional development.

The programme enabled 20 employees to achieve an NVQ Level 2 qualification in site-based construction skills. Many employees have expressed an interest in further courses, and the programme has benefitted relationships with clients.

Read more about Skills Support for the Workforce in Hertfordshire

HeadsUp - Essex

The Enable East “HeadsUp” project provides support and advice to people in Essex, Southend and Thurrock with common mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression, to help them get back into the workplace after a period of unemployment.

Co-funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and delivered through a partnership of NHS and voluntary sector organisations, the project aims to build self-esteem and provide coping mechanisms so that individuals can overcome their personal barriers. A peer support model provides person centred, goal-orientated support to identify strengths, build resilience and improve wellbeing. A main feature of the project is that peer support workers apply their own lived experiences of mental health and unemployment to offer guidance and role modelling to the people they support.

The practical help provided to assist people move towards and into employment includes: workshops; CV writing and job search support; mock interviews; site visits, and work placements with employers.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented delivery issues for the project and an increased need to support participants who are particularly vulnerable due to heightened anxiety and isolation. By adapting its communication methods to keep staff and participants safe, the project has been able to support more than 150 people during lockdown, using social media, phone calls, emails and post.

As at September 2020, the project has helped 576 participants and supported 106 participants into employment, 56 participants into education and training, and 26 participants who were economically inactive, into job searching.

Better Opportunities for East Berkshire

The Better Opportunities for East Berkshire project is improving the long term prospects of individuals with multiple disadvantages by reducing barriers that prevent them from entering and sustaining employment.

The project operates across East Berkshire and is co-funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. It works closely with voluntary sector partners who have specialist knowledge, work within disadvantaged neighbourhoods and communities and are trusted by the people they support. Participants are often the most excluded from the workforce, being failed by current services and unable to access alternative means of support.

The project is helping people move towards and into employment, training or job search. In support of this, there is a focus on developing confidence, motivation and self-belief, improving physical and mental wellbeing, and soft skills including team work, communication, problem solving, leadership and personal organisation. Where possible, the project is also engaging with local employers.

As at September 2020 the project has worked with 260 participants. The focus of outcomes so far is mainly employment, though increasing the numbers of participants into training remains a priority.

Read more about Better Opportunities for East Berkshire

Building Futures - Buckinghamshire

Building Futures helps adults and young people across Buckinghamshire break through their barriers to education and employment, whatever the circumstances.

The project, run by Adviza and co-funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, is a collaboration of five local charities who have specialised skills in education, employability, careers advice, mental health and substance abuse. Together they reach out to the community and offer a mixture of group activities and 1-2-1 mentoring support that helps the long-term unemployed move towards employment and/or education. The project supports all vulnerable groups that face barriers to work, including people who are over 50 years old, people with disabilities and people from ethnic minority communities.

Building Futures has worked with a local radio station, a professional football club, family centres, a local authority and the NHS Trust to develop interesting courses that engage people who may be resistant to regular employability routes. One example is Employment FM, which is run with community radio station Wycombe FM. This course supports participants to plan and develop a radio show while building their communication, confidence and employability skills. Feedback has been excellent and with strong links with the local High Wycombe Jobcentre Plus office, interest and referrals remain high.

The project balances the provision of soft skills while ensuring a clear focus towards goal progression. which has led to excellent results. At the end of October 2020 the project has supported 738 participants. Of those who completed their activities, 166 participants have exited into education, 149 exited into employment and 95 economically inactive participants have started job searching.

ESF Older Workers - London

ESF Older Workers addresses entrenched worklessness experienced by older people (aged 50 and over) and those who are economically inactive, who often have multiple barriers that require bespoke support.

The project, which is co-funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, has been running since 2016 and currently (as at November 2020) operates through a contract in London Central run by G4S, and West London run by Reed.

Whilst the employment rate for older people is generally high, there are some underlying problems and the project is addressing a range of age-specific barriers, including concerns about discrimination, lack of IT skills and awareness of the modern labour market. The aim is to reduce flows from short-term unemployment into long-term unemployment and inactivity, which is a risk for older people.

In the 12 months to May 2020, the London Central and West London projects have collectively supported 438 participants to secure employment for at least 13 weeks and 359 of the participants successfully sustained employment for at least 6 months.

Working for Carers - North, East and West London

Working for Carers supports unpaid carers and former carers in London, who are aged 25 or over, to move closer to employment. Carers are able to access free support, which is tailored to meet their needs.

The project is led by Carers Trust, co-funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and delivered by four Carers Trust Network Partners (carers centres) working across all London boroughs. The support is designed around each person’s needs, ambitions, and barriers to work. This can include: one-on-one support and advice from a dedicated Employment Personal Advisor; training workshops and other group activities; support with writing CVs, job applications and interview techniques; and access to employment, volunteering and external training opportunities.

The project takes a holistic approach to identifying barriers to work, and provides signposting to specialist support where needed. This can include benefits advice, health and wellbeing services, or support with the caring role. The support provided helps improve participant’s confidence, self-esteem and employability. There is also financial support to address barriers to finding work, such as help with travel, work clothing and replacement care costs.

In response to COVID-19, all support is now being delivered by telephone and video conferencing. Participants are being supported to access online activities, including IT training workshops and one-to-one telephone support, provided by staff and IT volunteers.

By 30 September 2020, 901 carers and former carers from across all 33 London boroughs had registered with the project. 62% have accessed training opportunities, with 106 leaving the project to undertake training or education, and 52% have been supported to actively job search. 16% have been supported to take on a volunteering role. So far, 21% (186 people) have moved into employment.

Peer Circles - London

Peer Circles offers peer-led support to work with vulnerable adults at their own pace with the aim of helping them achieve independence and employment where this a realistic goal.

The project is run by St Giles Trust and co-funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. People helped through Peer Circles need support with a complex mix of practical and emotional issues before they can consider employment as a realistic goal. Typically, these issues are around housing, accessing specialist services concerning substance misuse and mental health, support with finances, debt, childcare, reducing social isolation and increasing levels of confidence, skills, self-esteem and motivation.

One of the projects’ key strengths is using people who have first-hand experience of these issues themselves. Around 80% of the paid staff and volunteers working on Peer Circles come from a similar background to the people the project supports. This friendly, peer-led approach means that the project’s clients are helped by someone who really understands their situation and represents an inspiring role model of positive progression. The project also gives participants the opportunity to undergo vocational Level 3 accredited training in Advice and Guidance to progress their own employment prospects, whilst helping others in the process.

From April 2017 to August 2020, 939 people have been helped by the Peer Circles project.

Evolve - Black Country

The Evolve project is run by Steps to Work and supports people aged 16 years and over with multiple and complex barriers to employment, to regain their confidence and move closer to the job market.

Co-funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and working with 10 delivery partners from third sector, public and private organisations, the project provides individually tailored programmes to reach people who have previously ‘fallen through the cracks’ of services and society. These include people who are unemployed, economically inactive and those who require support to fully and independently engage with existing services.

The specialist services available include one-to-one mentoring and the provision of information, advice and guidance, for example on managing money. Support also includes activities to improve confidence, motivation and build self-esteem, such as volunteering; and help with job search including with the writing of CVs and applications. Through personalised support, participants are gaining improved employability skills and greater awareness of the services, jobs and other opportunities available to them.

By September 2020, Evolve partners have engaged with 1,110 participants. 398 of these have progressed into employment and self-employment, training and education, or for those furthest away from the jobs market, into relevant skills opportunities.

Coventry & Warwickshire Skills 4 Growth

Coventry & Warwickshire Skills 4 Growth is a small and medium enterprise (SME) business support project that delivers accredited and non-accredited skills training ranging from leadership and management, through to technical and soft skills.

The project is run by Coventry City Council, in partnership with public and private sector partners, including specialist training providers. It supports businesses across the area to identify skills gaps by undertaking a Training Needs Analysis, and provides customised training to upskill employees to help the organisation to grow and improve its business competitiveness. There is also a focus on improving the labour market status of females.

The project supports businesses in the local priority sectors of Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, including aerospace and rail, and a range of service and retail sectors. Activities help people in employment who lack basic skills, move up to level 2 and level 3 qualifications to upskill to meet changing requirements in the workplace.

This project was approved in summer 2020 and follows on from an equivalent business support project of the same name that ended earlier the same year. At the end of that previous project it had supported 623 participants employed in SMEs to develop their skills. A total of 488 qualifications were achieved at Level 2 and below, 116 qualifications at level 3 and above and 94 participants also gained basic skills.

Read more about Coventry & Warwickshire Skills 4 Growth

Money Sorted in D2N2 - Derby City, Derbyshire, Nottingham City, Nottinghamshire

The Money Sorted project provides personalised finance management support for people across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire who are experiencing financial difficulties and worries. To be eligible, people must live within the region, be of working age, and either unemployed or not in paid work at the time of starting.

The project, which is co-funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, helps people tackle confidence issues and skills gaps so they can take control to overcome their problems and improve their financial wellbeing for the longer term. This is achieved through one-to-one support from a Personal Navigator, who helps them assess their finances and create an Action Plan to improve their money management skills.

Bitesize workshops are available and there is an option to become a Money Mentor on the project. Support with moving into employment, training or job search is also available.

Up to September 2020, 2,490 people have signed up to the project, 1,724 of which have presented with a mental or physical disability, 162 people who have left the project have moved into employment.

Youth Promise Plus - Greater Birmingham and Solihull

Youth Promise Plus aims to support young people classified as “NEET” (not in education, employment or training) aged between 15-29, who live in the Birmingham and Solihull area. This includes young people who have experience of being within the care system or are at risk of offending.

The project, which is also funded through the Youth Employment Initiative, aims to help these young people move towards and into work, or further education or training, through a mix of tailored mentoring and specialist coaching and training. It also offers careers guidance, help with job search, work experience and activities to improve confidence. In addition, the project team work closely with employers to create work environments that meet young people’s needs and are also positives for the business.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic a remote mentoring service was introduced, based on contacting young people via phone, text, social media, video calling and email. Wellbeing sessions were held online as well as employability support including online fitness classes to support mental health. Doorstep support for the most vulnerable was put into place during the first wave of COVID-19, ensuring people had access to food where delays to benefits were causing issues. The project also participated in a Department for Education scheme to address digital poverty where participants were helped to apply for grant funding to secure laptops. Following this, mentors worked with participants to set up the devices and search for jobs and relevant courses.

Just over halfway through the project, 367 participants have signed up to the programme. 243 have gone on to have 4 or more mentoring sessions and 119 participants with multiple and complex needs have been supported into education, training or employment opportunities.

APM - Turning Point - Leicestershire

Turning Point deliver part of an HMPPS (Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service) CFO3 project managed by APM East Midlands. Turning Point help offenders move towards social inclusion and mainstream skills and employment provision, providing support that is appropriate to an individual’s circumstances and assessed need. As part of their specialist contract in the East Midlands, Turning Point works with offenders with mild to moderate mental health conditions, along with dual diagnosis and other complex needs.

This support is provided in Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire and is helping people develop skills to manage their mental health and move forwards on their recovery journey. It includes advice and support to help people live in the community independently and in a positive manner, and engage positively with employment focused activities.

Turning Point also offer a range of accredited courses including: Dealing with stress; Introduction to Drug Awareness for the Individual; Developing and Applying Number Skills, and Personal Action Planning. Since March 2020 face to face delivery has been postponed for APM, however the model has been adapted to suit the needs of the participants and continued support has been sustained via other methods.

Since the start of the contract in 2015, APM have supported almost 4,000 offenders with mental health needs and are positive about the continuation of delivery throughout COVID-19 restrictions. During the participant’s CFO3 journey they can achieve a number of outcomes in the areas of core activities, supportive measures, education and employment.

ESF Community Grants - Staffordshire

The Community Foundation is an independent charity that manages an ESF Community Grants programme across Staffordshire. Organisations such as: voluntary or community groups; registered charities; social enterprises; not for profit companies, or companies limited by guarantee can apply for up to £20,000 of grant funding to help people move towards employment, or into education or training.

Projects must aim to address local needs and be inclusive. Priority groups for support include: women; ethnic minorities; young people aged between 16-24; people with disabilities, and people aged over 50. All funded organisations are expected to create a learning and progression plan for all participants individually, which should include pathways to at least one of the following; work, education, training or volunteering.

The programme has awarded 40 grants to the end of September 2020. For example, Changes Tamworth are delivering a project called Early Intervention for Mental Distress. Workshops and support are provided to vulnerable people living with mental health conditions, helping them take the first steps towards recovery and preparing them for the workplace. Another project called Liberty on Board is run by Liberty Staffordshire CIC. The project works with young adults with multiple disabilities and delivers volunteering and work-based sessions via an innovative, person-centred approach.

Work Routes - The Marches

Work Routes operates across Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, delivering up to 52 weeks of personalised support to help unemployed and economically inactive participants to enter and then sustain employment.

Enable is working with Reed in Partnership to provide the service, which is co-funded by the Department for Work and Pensions. People with multiple barriers to employment, including lone parents, individuals with disabilities, carers, older workers, the homeless, ex-offenders and those with drug and alcohol dependency and learning disabilities are all benefiting from the long term support available.

This includes: tailored mentoring and advocacy; practical soft skills training; health and wellbeing support; job-related customised training; pre-employment training; work experience opportunities to support local recruitment, and in-work-support.

Building Better Opportunities - Shropshire

Building Better Opportunities Shropshire addresses unemployment and economic inactivity for people aged over 19 across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.

The project is managed by Landau, co-funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and aims to help people overcome barriers they face to move towards and into meaningful employment. There is a particular focus on supporting people aged over 50, people who are homeless or who may have a disability or mental health barrier, or be restricted by caring responsibilities, such as raising a child on their own.

Support includes one-to-one job coaching, accredited and non-accredited training courses, work experience placements and CV/ application form writing. This is provided by an extensive partner network, which also helps with business start-up and vocational skills such as woodwork, horticulture and mechanics. Unique opportunities to shadow health and social care professionals, volunteering, e-commerce and digital skills training are also available.

Holistic training such as yoga and mindfulness can help participants manage stress and anxiety, and cookery courses are offered that help people to make best use of the food they have.

Up to September 2020, the project has supported over 2,016 people and helped over 430 people find meaningful employment.

Read more about Building Better Opportunities Shropshire

Fusion Building Better Opportunities - Worcestershire

Fusion Building Better Opportunities aims to help people move closer to or into employment, improve people’s lives and contribute to the future prosperity of Worcestershire.

The project is led by Fusion, comprises over a dozen delivery partners and is co-funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. It supports long-term unemployed and economically inactive residents within Worcestershire who have complex needs such as homelessness, substance misuse, mental health issues or a history of involvement within the criminal justice system.

Dedicated one-on-one support from Job Coaches across Worcestershire ensures each individual receives a personal package of guidance and help based on their needs and circumstances. This ranges from training, education and addressing various skills requirements, to self-development and personal empowerment. Where appropriate, the Job Coach is able to tailor match employer’s vacancies to participants.

This wide-ranging support helps participants identify and address barriers to progression, build on their strengths and gain skills and confidence to move them closer to and into work, or a return to education, training or active job search.

By September 2020 the project has worked with over 1,400 participants with diverse and complex barriers. 57% of the 1,400 participants have achieved a positive outcome, with 25% moving into employment, 19% moving into education, and 13% moving closer to work through job searching.

Read more about Fusion Building Better Opportunities

Working Progress - Northamptonshire

Working Progress offers holistic support to people across Northamptonshire who are furthest away from the job market, helping them back onto the path into employment.

The University of Northampton and Commsortia Ltd work in partnership with other organisations to deliver the project, which is co-funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. Anyone who is aged 19 or over and out of work can take part, though there is a particular focus on people with additional barriers to work, which can include people with disabilities, people aged over 50, ethnic minority groups, carers and (Ex-)offenders.

Individual support is provided to help improve each person’s employability. This includes activities to improve digital and technology skills, English language skills, knowledge to create a CV, job searching and interview skills. Participants are encouraged to undertake education and training that suits their needs and to gain qualifications that help them go further in life.

The project also seeks to empower people to build relationships that help to reduce social isolation, leading to increased self-confidence, self-esteem, social skills and motivation which increases the chance of finding employment. The support helps individuals address and overcome any physical, psychological, financial and skills related barriers they may face.

As at October 2020 Working Progress has worked with over 750 participants to identify their barriers and support their transition into sustainable employment, volunteering, further education or training.

Employment Plus - Greater Birmingham and Solihull

The Employment Plus project run by The Salvation Army across the Greater Birmingham and Solihull area, offers a holistic, personalised approach to employability services which addresses each participants’ needs and barriers to employment.

An Employment Development Co-ordinator acts as a single point of contact for each person’s journey. Activities include Ready, Able and Willing assessments and a holistic Motivational Programme leading to work-focused skills training and coaching.

The project also works with employers to provide tailored work experience and source job opportunities and provides ongoing in-work support to help participants stay in work.

As at the end of October 2020 the project has worked with over 500 participants. Over 190 qualifications have been gained and 165 participants have found employment.

Exploring Opportunities - Humber

Exploring Opportunities provides engaging activities for unemployed and economically inactive people in the Humber area, to enable them to address personal barriers to employment, develop skills and build their employability, so that they can move towards and into work or other positive outcomes.

The project, run by the Humber Learning Consortium and co-funded by The National Lottery Community Fund also focuses on building the resilience of the local community. It is delivered with local partners with a strong track record of supporting people who are often socially excluded, including ex-offenders, the homeless, lone parents and people with disabilities into work, enterprise and further learning.

Specifically aimed at improving the lives of people aged 25 and over, support for individuals can include personal and social development, occupational-specific training, work experience and volunteering which help build confidence. Extra support is available to help address barriers such as poor mental health, financial problems and low functional skills, and to improve people’s knowledge and engagement with their local community.

At the end of September 2020, the project has supported over 1,200 participants, with over 750 participants exiting with positive outcomes of employment, education or job search.

Moving on Tyne & Wear - North East

Moving on Tyne and Wear helps people in Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, North Tyneside and South Tyneside who are unemployed and have health barriers move towards and into training, education, employment or job search.

The project is co-funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. Its lead partner is Mental Health Concern, which works with around 10 public, private and third sector partners across Tyne and Wear.

A team of experienced navigators provide one-on-one support to people who are aged 18 or over, unemployed and have physical or mental health issues, additional learning needs, or disabilities. Bespoke action plans are created that are centred around each person’s background, skills and goals. Support services are available to address participant’s health barriers and to help them move closer to the job market. This may include access to education and training, specialist employment skills and help with job search, CV building and interview skills.

A specific Pathways project replicates core delivery for people with autism. In addition, an employer engagement team works closely with local employers to offer participants work experience, placements and employment opportunities. When people move on from the project, support is available to help them sustain employment and training outcomes.

From mid-March 2020, the project moved to remote working as a response to COVID-19. The navigators moved to using digital platforms, as agreed with each participant, and continue to provide core employability support. Navigators have also helped participants to manage their anxiety, increase their resilience and support their emotional wellbeing.

Tees Valley Pathways and Routeways Programmes

The Tees Valley Pathways and Routeways Programmes aim to support over 9,000 people aged 15 to 29 across the Tees Valley who are unemployed or inactive, with the aim of progressing them into education, employment, training or self-employment.

The programmes are managed by Hartlepool Borough Council, are part-funded through the Youth Employment Initiative and delivered by a consortium of 20 partners from the public, private and voluntary sector, including Local Authorities, Colleges and training providers. Each participant has the support of an advisor, who provides personalised one-on-one support and impartial Information, Advice and Guidance.

Innovative activities, courses and opportunities help participants into work, education or further training. These includes activities to help improve communication or employability skills and offer provision focused on enterprise and self-employment. The programmes also offer employment and training routeways in partnership with employers linked to the Tees Valley Combined Authority Growth sectors, including Health and Social Care, Construction, Digital and Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics.

Up to the end of September 2020, the programme has engaged with a total of 8,462 young people.

Read more about Tees Valley Pathways and Routeways Programmes

Pathways to Success - South Yorkshire

Pathways to Success works with unemployed and economically inactive individuals facing significant and often complex barriers to employment. It particularly helps those who have long-term health problems or disabilities.

The project covers the South Yorkshire local authority areas of Barnsley, Rotherham and Sheffield. It is managed by Sheffield City Council and delivered in partnership with the other local authorities working with numerous local providers. Individual support from key workers and personal advisers helps participants to understand and plan to address their barriers, creating a personal pathway to employment.

Individual action plans typically focus on employability, job search and interview techniques, skills development and the acquisition of occupation specific skills and certificates. Additional support includes links to specialist interventions, condition management, debt advice and behavioural change programmes.

Since the onset of COVID-19, partners, providers and their staff have had to innovate, with almost all delivery being done via phones and online. This has presented great challenges, including having to provide extensive support to those who have limited access to, or skills in the use of digital technology.

By mid-October 2020 the project has engaged with 926 participants, including 318 people with disabilities.

Action Towards Inclusion - York, North Yorkshire and East Riding

Action Towards Inclusion provides support to the most disadvantaged groups in the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding LEP area who are furthest from the labour market and experience significant barriers to work. It provides support to address the disadvantages they face, helping them move towards and into job search, education, training or employment.

The project is led by Your Consortium, co-funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and is delivered through a partnership of over 30 organisations working within local communities. Key workers work one-on-one with individuals to mentor and help them overcome often significant and complex barriers related to health, finance and skills. By helping people who are most excluded, the project also aims to address the root causes of poverty that create barriers to work.

As much of the area is rural, key workers have often travelled to meet people closer to home – in cafes, libraries or other local venues. This has helped people feel less isolated and often increased their awareness of services available within their wider community. The involvement of rural partners who have local knowledge is vital in reaching the people who need support.

All delivery has been impacted by COVID-19. However, many participants have embraced technology and instead of travel costs, participant expenses have been used to help overcome digital exclusion. The majority of support during this time has been to help participants with their mental health, manage their finances and any crisis they may be facing.

By October 2020, the project has supported 2,299 people, 64% of which were considered economically inactive. 1,232 positive outcomes have been achieved, 40% of which have been into employment.

Read more about Action Towards Inclusion

Question 6

North West

Accepted Answer

New Leaf - Cheshire and Warrington

The New Leaf Programme brings together partners from across the area to change lives, create opportunities and make a positive contribution to local communities and the regional economy. Over its five-year lifespan to July 2021, it is looking to support over 5,000 people with significant barriers to employment from across Cheshire, enabling them to move closer to employment.

The project is led by the Torus Foundation, co-funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, and is being delivered by a partnership of 19 organisations.

At the core of the project is employment mentoring, which provides one-on-one advice and support to help people take control and change their lives.

There are activities that help with skills and training, increase confidence levels and unlock potential to pursue opportunities that improve future prospects. The programme also provides money and budgeting advice, mental health support, volunteering and work placement opportunities and self-employment support.

Each person agrees a bespoke plan with their mentor that focuses on addressing and overcoming personal barriers they face to achieve agreed goals, re-engage with mainstream services, and secure and maintain employment.

By 30 September 2020 the project had engaged with 3,620 people of whom 501 had started education, 500 had secured employment and 395 had started job searching.

CHOICES - Cumbria

The Choices programme offers one-to-one advice, guidance and mentoring to help people make positive life changes, achieve their goals and move into education, training, job searching and employment.

The partnership programme is led by Groundwork, comprises five West Cumbrian third sector organisations and is co-funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. Activities include offering training and courses to help build skills and knowledge, and providing specialist advice on finances, benefits, improving IT skills health, wellbeing and self-esteem.

Specialist activities to address social isolation and help improve confidence include days out, creative activities and introducing techniques to help better self-management of mental health conditions. Participants include people who lack work experience or are dealing with benefit, housing or financial problems, people who have learning difficulties or physical and mental health disabilities and those who have had substance dependency issues.

In response to COVID-19, participants have been supported as fully as possible. The project acted quickly to find funding to provide tablets and mobile phones (with the required data/credit) and have upskilled participants to use them to access job-search, online training and other useful resources such as mental health support. For participants unable to access online training, the project has provided workbooks and ongoing training and support, including by telephone.

Tailored cookery sessions have also been delivered, which has helped ensure participants have been able to make the most of the food available to them.

By the end of September 2020 the programme has supported just over 600 people, with over 300 results achieved. 90 of these results have been for individuals moving into employment.

Achieve North West - Greater Manchester

The Margaret Carey Foundation run a bike recycling project that provides training and potential work experience for disadvantaged male offenders who have significant mental health needs. The activity forms part of the HMPPS (Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service) CFO3 Achieve North West programme.

A case manager works closely with each person and, if appropriate, refers them to the project. Through one-on-one tuition and practical training, the bike project aims to improve independent living skills, develop practical and vocational skills, team building and problem solving skills.

Participants are trained by a bike mechanic to repair and recycle broken bicycles so that they are in working order. Uniquely, the first bike repaired is given to a more disadvantaged child or adult in Africa or Europe. The second bike repaired is given to the participant. To help improve employment opportunities a qualification is also available.

During March to June 2020 some delivery was disrupted due to COVID-19 restrictions. Adaptions to delivery have been well received and from July to August 2020 four new residents were enrolled onto the project. In total 81 participants have been enrolled between July 2016 and August 2020. During the participant’s CFO3 journey, they can achieve a number of outcomes in the areas of core activities, supportive measures, education and employment.

Margaret Carey Foundation have also given bicycles to 70 participants to promote independence, confidence and physical activity - all attributes needed to improve mental health and wellbeing.

More Positive Together - Lancashire

More Positive Together is a Lancashire wide project that helps residents in some of the County’s most deprived areas improve their skills and employment prospects. Managed by Active Lancashire, the project’s partners include housing associations, local authorities and third sector organisations, which provide practical help and mentoring support to project participants.

The focus is on supporting those furthest from the labour market, in particular people facing multiple barriers to participation, including ex-offenders, people with mental health problems, in poverty or affected by homelessness. Opportunities for personal development include participation in wellbeing, environmental and arts activities, training programmes to establish new skills and access to valuable work experience and volunteering opportunities.

An example of project support that has received positive feedback is Cycle Recycle, which offers support to those who have identified travel to work as a barrier to employment. The scheme allows for unwanted bikes to be renovated through a workshop. Unemployed participants get to learn key skills around bike maintenance, are able to keep the bike at the end of the workshop and are provided with follow up support to ensure safe travel to a place of work or training.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, delivery of the project quickly adapted from being a face to face experience to more virtual support, for example, through providing digital support to the most vulnerable by purchasing IT equipment and communication tools. The partners also based themselves in the County’s Local Response Hubs to help prioritise support on those with greatest needs.

Positive People - South and South East and Coast to Coast regions of Cornwall

Working across the South/South East and Coast to Coast regions of Cornwall, Positive People offers a lifeline to people aged over 18 who are not in work by helping build confidence, skills and motivation, and giving them a sense of hope for the future.

Led by Pluss, co-funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and delivered in partnership with eight key delivery partners, the project works with people who are unemployed or economically inactive. Those supported include people with disabilities, people with mental health issues, ex-offenders, homeless people and people aged over 50. Support for individuals includes basic literacy and numeracy skills, help to master digital technology and preparation for work, including how to job search.

The programme is personally tailored to individual needs and includes help with personal development, health and wellbeing and life skills including digital technology.

As at September 2020, 3,111 participants have received help to overcome a range of barriers and build a brighter future for themselves and their families.

In October 2020, the Pluss Positive People project, which also operates across Devon and Somerset, won the ‘Presidents Award’ at the national Festival of Learning 2020 Awards.

Read more about Positive People Read more about the national 2020 Festival of Learning Award won by Positive People and view a film about the project

Developing Skills for Business - Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

From Finance courses for manufacturing firms, to creating apprenticeship opportunities in Cornwall’s growing technology sector, Cornwall College’s Developing Skills for Business programme addressed skills gaps and provided sector-led training to meet business needs across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Working in partnership with seven public and private organisations within the area, the project was developed to ensure local businesses from a wide range of sectors helped to shape and align training and skills provision with the needs of employers across all the priority industries. These include advanced engineering and digital innovation, high-tech marine engineering and energy sectors, and the creative sector.

The project, which closed in June 2020, supported over 747 businesses to develop tailored training provision; and refined the content and delivery of over 20 Apprenticeship standards through ongoing employer consultation.

Read more about Developing Skills for Business programme

Inspire Dorset

Inspire Dorset offers a flexible approach to supporting people who are unemployed or economically inactive into employment, self-employment or launching an enterprise idea.

The project, which is run by Dorset Community Action and co-funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, works with individuals to identify what type of work they are interested in, the barriers they may face and the support needed to achieve their goals, which can include running a business. Participants are also set a team challenge where they work with others to investigate a need in their community, design an enterprise idea to address the need and launch the idea for one day.

These activities help improve people’s confidence and communication skills. They also enable them to gain transferable employability and enterprise skills, including teamwork and leadership, creative problem solving and adopting a business mind-set. The challenges give people a taste of the reality of the skills required to run a business, while also providing the opportunity to clarify their personal direction and values.

At the end of August 2020, the project has supported 226 participants with 130 progressing into training, education, employment, self-employment or business, or testing/starting an enterprise.

Empowering Enterprise - Devon

Empowering Enterprise supported disadvantaged 18-24 year olds across Devon, including Plymouth and Torbay to overcome challenges they face and get into work, education or training.

The project, run by Petroc College of Further and Higher Education was co-funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and ended in summer 2020. It was delivered in partnership with organisations that have extensive experience in working with young people across the South West.

Through a combination of one-on-one mentoring and group activity sessions, young people have gained confidence, experience and skills for life and work, and been supported to navigate a path into work, education or training without being overwhelmed by other issues in their lives. Support has ranged from encouraging an anxious and isolated young person to leave the house, to giving participants opportunities to organise events like beach cleans, gaming tournaments and working with a local community to increase opportunities for refugees and improve local services.

The project also developed closer links with local services such as mental health and housing. It also engaged with local employers on issues such as the potential of young people who have gaps in their history and how to support them, addressed issues related to gender equality and equal opportunities, and sought to help local communities and businesses become more resilient and sustainable.

Over its 3-year life the project exceeded its participation target, working with over 650 young people, 50% of which have made a positive progression.

West of England Works - Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Bath and North East Somerset

The West of England Works project aims to help long-term unemployed and economically inactive people secure sustainable employment and training.

The project, led by Weston College and co-funded from The National Lottery Community Fund, is delivered with voluntary and community organisations based in Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Bath and North East Somerset. These partners have specialist skills in working with: ethnic minorities; carers; ex-offenders; people with disabilities or long-term health issues; young people not in education, employment or training, and those with a history of substance misuse.

The project offers individualised support to help people of all ages who face multiple and complex barriers to work achieve their personal goals. This differs by participant but may include: one-on-one and separate group sessions covering, for example, counselling; confidence building; skills development in the participants preferred area; job search; money management; literacy and ICT skills development, and housing advice and support.

As of June 2020, 1,807 participants have directly benefitted from the project. Almost 50% of those supported have progressed into job search, employment or education, and those that have left early have reported improvements in either their confidence, mental health or awareness of opportunities.

Skills Support for the Workforce and Skills Support for Redundancy - Swindon and Wiltshire

The Skills Support for the Workforce (SSW) programme in Swindon and Wiltshire, is co-funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and delivered by Serco, in partnership with Swindon & Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership, to develop and upskill employees within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The programme’s priorities for the area are: providing support for lower skilled people to progress into apprenticeships and lifelong learning; improving the digital capability of the workforce, and providing leadership and management training.

SSW provides recognised accredited qualifications and bespoke training courses to enhance employees’ skills, increase the competitiveness of businesses and boost the local economy.

Serco also run an ESFA co-funded Skills Support for Redundancy (SSR) project, which supports employers and individuals affected by redundancy. For employers making hard decisions about staff redundancy, the SSR programme ensures their employees can access bespoke training, careers guidance and support to find suitable employment.

Individuals facing redundancy or made redundant within the last 3 months can access funded skills training, retraining and careers guidance to help them get back into employment.

Up to October 2020, this project has supported around 928 participants

Read more about Skills Support for the Workforce in Swindon & Wiltshire

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