A joint initiative supported by the Welsh Assembly Government and Jobcentre Plus Menter ar y cyd a gefnogir gan Lywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru a’r Ganolfan Byd Gwaith

Want to Work

July 2008 – June 2015

Project Description

Want toWork builds on the key employment programmes provided by the Department for Work and Pensions with the key objective of engaging increased numbers of economically inactive individuals, particularly those who traditionally fail to engage with mainstream programmes, with the primary aim of supporting more people back into work.

The project places a significant emphasis on providing outreach services in communities that experience multiple and varied disadvantage, working in partnership to provide a strategic portfolio of activity, opportunities and stepping stones linking people with the world of work.

Targets

15,000 engaged onto project 5,000 supported into employment

Performance

July 2008 to August 2011

9720 engaged onto project3357 supported into employment468 supported into self employment

1213 participants entering further learning795 participants gaining qualifications3190 participants gaining other positive outcomes

Delivery Areas

South West WalesBridgend

CarmarthenshireCeredigion

Neath/Port TalbotPembrokeshire

Rhondda/Cynon TaffSwansea

North & Mid WalesAngleseyConway

DenbeighshireGwynydd

South East WalesCardiff

CaerphillyNewportTorfaen

Vale of Glamorgan

Eligibility

Customers must be in receipt of a qualifying benefit:

Incapacity Benefit

Income Support

Employment & Support Allowance (up to the date referred to the Work Programme)

Or be a:

Non Benefit recipient

And

Must be living within a Deprived Area Fund Ward (apart from IB customers who can now access the project providing they live in the Projects Local Authority areas)

NOT on Work Programme or Work Choice

Common features

2-3 generations of worklessness

Low levels of qualifications and skills

High levels of work limiting illness

Multiple disadvantages

Low aspirations for work and study

High dependency on welfare benefits, particularly incapacity benefits and income support

Narrow travel horizons

Distrust of state agencies

Delivery Model

Providing outreach services in communities.

Offering quality, advice & guidance from experienced personal advisers from a wide range of specialist backgrounds.

By building & maintaining links with HRMC and Local Authorities.

Providing funding to support the provision of training, learning, volunteering, driving lessons and driving licences.

Providing funding to support self employment.

Accessing DCELLS funding for vocational training.

Developing Back to Work action plans, C.V’s and employability skills.

Providing health and well being support and guidance including funding of gym memberships and exercise referral scheme.

Delivering a gateway into mainstream Jobcentreplus services such as Work Trials, Work Experience and Permitted Work

Partner Organisations

A4E Flying Start Pensions Service Bridges into Work Genesis PRIME Cymru Alternative Curriculum Gofal Housing Trust Princes Trust BTCV – Green Gyms GP Surgeries Probation Service Business Eye Hafal Purple Hat Caerlas Inclusive Learning Project Remploy Careers West Wales Jobcentre Plus Route 16 Carers Association John Grooms Shaw Trust Citizen Advice Bureau (CAB) Lifelong Learning Star Project Citizen Advocacy Bureau Mental Health Day Care NHS Trusts College Courses in the Community Condition Management Programme (CMP) MIND WCADA Credit Union Peer Mentoring Welfare Rights Third Sector National Childminder Assoc. WISE Dewi Sant National Children's Homes Womens Aid DEWIS New Learning Network Working Links DIAL PACE Workways

Pathways to Work Youth Service

Health

“There is now good evidence that overall the benefits of work are greater than the harmful effects of long-term unemployment and prolonged sickness

absence. General practioners often feel that work and health related issues extend beyond their role.”

Prof Mansel Aylward

There was a strong feeling that the long term worklessness was not part of a GP’s role and was not high on their agenda:

“We don’t see that referring patients to mainstream services as our primary role…our role is health… and primary health and prevention”.

There was clear consensus that GP’s felt that they lacked knowledge in both occupational health and government benefit systems:

“I feel I don’t understand the system, I mean it’s so complicated… so when people are saying to you “well financially I’m going to be worse off” I can’t say

“well that’s not true” because I don’t know.

GP’s described at being cautious at referring people to programmes; there was a feeling that GP’s realised that the information they had wasn’t always

correct:“I think because schemes chaange so frequently. There’s always new government

initiatives…

“There was no rush – Want2Work were there to

support me, not ru

sh me back to the first job.”

Jeff - Port T

albot

“Want2Work advisers treated me like an individual

rather than a statistic to be moved on as quickly as

possible”. Francis James - Cymmer

“I didn’t think I’d

ever be able to work again, Clare

gave me the motivation and belief I could”. Robert –

Briton Ferry

“After being out of work for 8 years, I didn’t think I’d ever work again”. Colin - Sandfields

“Being a carer, it was important that I had work that took into account my

home situation, Want2W

ork helped find me find work that took this into

account”. Helen – Britton Ferry

“I knew I could make a go of my own business, Want2Work were there to help”.

Paul - Cwmavon

“When I first joined Want2Work I received a warm welcome and given brilliant support and encouragement” Emma - Caerphilly

Any Questions?

For Further Information:

Carol Pugh: 07891682605Carol.pugh1@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk

Ruth Jervis : 07825933504Ruth.jervis@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk