Clean Slate in B&NESProgressing practical responses to worklessness

Jeff Mitchell

Progressing ResponsesProgressing Responses

Set the context for discussionBuild momentum from October workshopWorklessness in the supply chain(Re-) Introduce Clean Slate’s offerSet scene for further discussion and planning

Introducing...Introducing...

JM: 18 years in social enterpriseCreating and supporting paid work for people

facing barriers to employment Employment business with regular (Somer, Bath

Abbey) and ad hoc opportunities Walk-in centres offering job preparation Supporting employers/ new enterprises, Quids in! Event in October to engage RPs

Welfare & Work EventWelfare & Work Event

Workshop held at Hedley Hall on 4 October, RPs and LAs from Bristol/ B&NES

Crisis presented on welfare reform and impact on social tenants

Quids in! reported on financial inclusion research among social tenants

Clean Slate presented practical optionsReviewed (perceived) barriers and opportunities

(Perceived) Barriers(Perceived) Barriers

Costs: Support, returning to work, housingCulture change: addressing tenants/ worklessness‘One Size Fits All’ approach, not long-termFewer jobs – and access (geographic/ cultural/

skills/ confidence/ practical, eg, CRBs)Limited info re. opportunities (esp. for employers)Punitive welfare system – Benefits trap

Welfare Reform (Crisis pres)Welfare Reform (Crisis pres)

Work Programme on-stream – no NFP deliveryPushing claimants towards JSA, later…Universal Credit – with taper for returners to workLHA revised down, Single Room Rate aged <35£500 cap on household claimsSocial rents up to 80% market rateUnder-occupancy, non-dependents at home

Financial ExclusionFinancial Exclusion

Quids in!: Money management magazine for people on low incomes

Merlin research (South Glos) – now nationalKey findings (see handout): 42% working age and able to work; 31% are ‘unbanked’ Biggest money worry: Paying bills (54%); Debt (24%) Needed advice on: Debt (33%); Income Max (25%) 88% of non-f/t employed worry about benefits

Further ContextFurther Context

Social Firms UK facilitated meeting with RSLs and construction firms on 2 November

Supply chain is willing to tackle worklessnessRSLs have the opportunity to do so directlyNational Housing Fed supports thisDecision-making: Directors require ‘buy-in’ at ops

level; managers need approval ‘up the chain’

Engaging Workless PeopleEngaging Workless People

‘Job Shops’ with self-referral, drop-in access350 visitors seeking help with CVs, job searchAccessible: community-based and peer supportStructured programme to work into the process: Self-confidence, goal setting, action plans Training on IT skills, comms, H&S Orienting people to the workplace

Getting On the JobGetting On the Job

Not the Work Programme: CVs: Resumes are not fit for purpose Building on skills and qualities, often buried IT a pre-requisite – practical application Role playing expectations Setting appropriate, personalised goals Bespoke action plans Employment – seeing skills at work

Aspiring to MoreAspiring to More

Worklessness research: 60% looking for work 8% had no plans for work Money the motivation Interest in all kinds of work

incl. ‘wet trades’, shop, office, animals and support work

Somer PilotSomer Pilot

Somer Housing inspired to engage with combating worklessness. Clean Slate entered supply chain:

Packing and delivery Supplying Clean Slate workers as temps Employability projects engaging workless people Handy Help Co (pilot underway)

Goodwill Good sense Common sense

Working TogetherWorking Together

Looking for employers with a clear social remit: 3 managers x 2 Temp Workers x 3.5 hrs pw CSTE supports Temp Workers and supervisors with job

matching, induction work and coaching Individuals prove and improve their employability Low hassle, low risk, low cost to employers Value: Flexible, additional capacity Structured recruitment of tenants

Testimonials – Employers

Jane Jones – Head of HR, Somer Community Housing“It was important that the opportunities were real work – the challenge was to find the right roles. Some

staff wanted to ask ‘Why are they unemployed?’, ‘If they’re ex-offenders, what did they do?’ Clearly they couldn’t ask and it wasn’t relevant. Queries actually stopped once the person was in post – they’re just a person like anyone else. Then we only had to focus on what they could do for us.

“2 of the 3 supervisors who took on Clean Slate Temp Workers were new to management, it was an opportunity for them to develop. One supervisor is herself much more upbeat and can see opportunities for other roles. They feel we’re able to deliver better services to tenants and the temps are putting forward ideas on ways to do things better.

“The workers demonstrated new confidence and self-esteem. One said: “I’m a different person”. Sometimes we need to push people beyond their comfort zone but the social interaction makes a big difference. They proved any negative expectations about unemployed people were unfounded: There have been no incidents of lateness or inappropriate dress/ attitude for work.

“We’re now looking at whether other establishment jobs that become vacant could be constructed differently – can full-time roles become part-time ones or opportunities for small-scale, casual staffing?

“TWs have a negative perception of regular employment agencies and describe CSTE as positive and making them feel like they ‘can do’.”

Opportunities/ Next StepsOpportunities/ Next Steps

Back to Work events, emp’ support for tenantsSignposting to existing opportunitiesShared resources on best practice‘Step Path’ for people at different placesIntroduce Clean Slate to the supply chain –

Temp Workers, HandyHelp, distribution/ packingIdentify milestones and celebrate successes

Clean Slate in B&NESProgressing practical responses to worklessness

Jeff Mitchell