E mployment and Training Support in Telford and Wrekin 18 th February 2016

1. Employment and Training Support in Telford and Wrekin18th February 2016

2. Presentation Overview • Update on the current Telford and Wrekin position • Government Requirements for Young People • Job Box • FutureFocus • Job Box Mentors • EEAST • Turnaround

3. Update on the current Telford and Wrekin position • The Borough’s all age unemployment rate is 5.1% (4300) below the regional (5.7%) and above national (5.3%) rates • Youth Unemployment(16-24 year olds) is currently at 16.2% (2100) above the regional (15.1%) and national (14.9%) rates • 1.4% of those unemployed were claiming out of work benefits at Dec15 lower than the region 2.1% and national 1.7% • Of those claiming out of work benefits 30.5% were 18-24 year olds • The number of young people not in education and training in the Borough January 16 7.6% (461 young people)

4. Government Requirements for Young People Local Authority have a duty to track all young people up to their 19th Birthday or 25 if learning difficulties or disabilities All young people expected to be in Education, Training or Employment with training until aged 18 – RPA (Raising the Participation Age Young person who is not engaged in education training or employment know as NEET. Current NEET group 407 made up of graduates, college leavers, school leavers, apprenticeship leavers, new to the area, additional needs, pregnant, young parent, carers, in custody, in care, care leavers, illness – mental and physical, young people not ready - homeless, bereavement, never likely to be economically active English and maths to level 2 (GCSE)

5. How we work with NEET’s • JCP income and hardship evidence • Support and transport to providers, taster days, events • Facilitation to ease transition eg setting up meetings, working with parents, provider liaison, communication • CVs Job Search, practise interviews, employability support, coaching • Apprenticeship support – applying for vacancies, feedback, LMI research and local knowledge • Transport and Finance ( child benefit stops for NEET) • EET – those at risk of dropping out, homeless or an issue that would result in them becoming NEET so we work with agencies, YP and family to keep them sustained . • Risk of NEET work in schools of the 2100 who left last year less than 100 did not progress

6. Support Teams and Services Job Box http://www.telfordjobbox.co.uk/ FutureFocus Job Box Mentors EEAST Turnaround

7. Turnaround ProjectA re-engagement programme for 15-25 year olds This project is funded by the European Social Fund (ESF). The European Social Fund was set up to improve employment opportunities in the European Union and so help raise standards of living. It aims to help people fulfil their potential by giving them better skills and better job prospects. The ESF benefits young people by allowing them to gain experience in employability and access activities and opportunities they may never have been able to before. ESF funded projects aim to get young people back into education, employment or training.

8. Turnaround background....... • Running since 2008 • Successfully delivered three ESF contracts • Create and deliver re-engagement programmes for NEET young people • Joint winners of the ESF Equal Opportunities Specialist Project Leader Award. • Most young people progress back into education or training to further develop their newly acquired employability skills. • Programme has been adapted to meet both the changing needs of the cohort andthe requirements of local business who are potentially their future employers.

9. Collaborative working • Worked with various sub-contracted delivery partners to ensure the borough has a range of provision to meet learners needs. • Potential partners invited to tender to provide specialist provision or something unique. • Packaged tailored to support: • Young carers • ln care and care leavers • Teen parents or parents to be • Learners with learning difficulties or disabilities • Those excluded from school pre 16 • Those who drop out of EET and rejoin NEET register • Young offenders • Substance misuse

10. Collaborative working • All provision is delivered under partnership agreements and managed and monitored by the turnaround team. • Telford College of Art and Technology offering a supported introduction to College life usually during holiday times to build confidence before the College becomes busy again. tasters are offered for courses of interest with a view to progressing onto the full course if appropriate • Wyldwoods – takes place in a peaceful, rural setting with very supportive staff who work mainly with Learners with a Learning Difficulty or Disability and those who prefer not to work in a classroom type environment

11. Collaborative working • Other agencies we have worked with include: • Future focus • Colleges • Study programmes • NHS • Employers • Schools

13. Turnaround Project – in house • Turnaround is a FREE flexible programme that supports young people to gain skills and confidence to enable them to progress into training or employment. • Short 10-20 week course for small groups of 8-12 people • 2 days a week in a friendly learning environment • 1:1 support and guidance • Learning through activities

14. Turnaround projectWhat to expect? • Learners will receive expert guidance, support and encouragement to: • Apply for jobs, vocational training, traineeship and apprenticeships • Improve personal and social skills • Improve work ready skills • Improve self confidence • Try a range of activities from arts and crafts to • outdoor activities • Improve their community • Work experience The course is about making a learner more employable, confident , motivated and to find out opportunities available to them in the local area.

15. Case Study • CB- report after attending Telford and Wrekin Turnaround for 4 weeks • C started Turnaround with little confidence and suffering with panic attacks. C had not attended year 11 at all due to anxiety. She stated she didn’t like crowded places and very rarely left the house. • As part of C’s action plan she was going to gradually build on her hours attending Turnaround, and start with just a couple of hours a day once a week. • Week 1 C arrived with her mom and said she was going to stay until 12:00 then go home. C seemed withdrawn at first but seemed to settle after a few ice breakers. She managed to stay until 14:00 and left in high spirits. • Week 2 C arrived again a little panicky as we were going to Telford ice rink. It was a challenge for her to go to such a public busy place, plus she had never been ice skating before. • C was physically shaking but keen to give it a go. She would not let it beat her. The rest of the team supported and encouraged C for the session and she stayed on the ice the whole session and was extremely proud of what she had achieved. • Week 3 C arrived for the session feeling a little more panicky than previous weeks. She had been arguing at home. We had shopping and cooking planned for this day. She explained she may not be able to go into the shops to get ingredients with the other learners. • Once we got to Tesco she was very quiet and looked uncomfortable so Lyndsey offered to stay outside with her. C insisted she was going to give it a go and completed the task. Since then C’s Future Focus advisor (formerly Connexions) advised Lyndsey that C had been shopping with her mom and even went into the town centre on her own. • Week 4 C attended both sessions at the Watling Street Centre this week and also came to the busy town park to attempt high ropes and zip wire. C stated that she is feeling more confident when leaving the house and is currently waiting for her interview date to start Telford College of Art and Technology in September . • C is a polite young lady who once she feels confident is funny and always very eager to give it a go. She has achieved a lot in just a month and is growing in confidence week to week. The staff are very proud of her and impressed with her attitude, she always listens and tries hard. We are looking forward to working with C and to see her achieving even more over the next 8 weeks.

16. Green Brigade • Worked in partnership with various agencies • Guaranteed interview if complete 12 week programme • Hard and soft landscaping skills • CVs and interview techniques • Certificates of achievement • NPCT award in Chainsaw management • Awards ceremony at Harper Adams University • 4 young people were successful in the job interview and gained an apprenticeship in Environmental and cleansing maintenance with TWS

19. Karen Harrison Youth Employment Support Team Leader Contact & Thank You • Mark Purcell • Youth Engagement Co-ordinator Lyndsey Price Youth Re-engagement Worker Kris Addison Youth Re-engagement Worker www.telfordjobbox.co.uk 01952 388830 turnaround@telford.gov.uk