Over 50’s Self-Advocacy Employment Project

LESPN

26th July 2011

Current context for over 50’s Employment

o Overall unemployment rate relatively low (5.3%) but less likely to return to work once unemployed than their younger counterparts

o 43% becoming unemployed at 50+ are still unemployed 12 months later (against 33% of all other age groups)

o More likely to move onto incapacity benefits

o New Employment Support Allowance assessments may move many older people with ill health onto job seeking benefits (currently 70% of appeals are successful)

o Hidden ‘non-claimers’, living on savings or redundancy payments

o Long term implications for meeting savings and pensions gap

Differences between individuals are so large in relation to health, cognitive capacity and physical strength that generalised assumptions about everyone in a certain age group are wrong. Nevertheless they remain common…

Self-perceptions as well as age discrimination by employers or peers present a barrier to older age group

Legislation is now in place outlawing age discrimination in employment (extends to goods, services and facilities as part of Equality act in 2012). However changing attitudes and stereotypes takes decades, not months.

In previous recessions, 50+ more likely to be affected by redundancies, there is a possibility this will go ‘underground’

Age Stereotypes

Why people over 50 need tailored support o Out of date skills or lack of formal qualifications E.g. IT, and changes

in qualifications and education over time

o Out of date job market understanding e.g. ‘person specification’ approach and online job search

o Lack of confidence and self-esteem

o Dealing with grief and bereavement, often left work to care for parents or partners who have since died

o Lowest reported satisfaction with Job Centre plus (pride, shame, poor experience of services)

o Ill health, of parents and partners as well as individuals

o Fixed expectations of salary and roles

o Single employer/sector experience

4 boroughs funded by Big Lottery & Borough of Camden (to April 11)

One to one, workshops, peer support (find, gain and retain)

Over 1200 people seen, 25% into paid employment

Good fit with other services which link to barriers (e.g. carers services, benefits take up, volunteering)

The link to poverty, health and wellbeing makes this an important prevention agenda

Not well timed to link into work programme + Early intervention important in 50+

Age UK Over 50s Employment Project