Working for Families

Personal Development and Preparing for Work

East Ayrshire – the context

36.5% of children were children of claimants of Income Support

38% Lone parents 17% children living in workless

households

Falkirk – the context

2,600 JSA claimants 11,630 claiming other benefits 1,710 Lone parents 870 NEET Approx 5,500 children living in

workless households

East Ayrshire - Results Number of clients registered - 1082 Number of clients participating in PEP-

95% Number of clients accessing barrier free

funding - 700 Number of clients progressing into

employment – 26% Number of clients entering

training/education – 32%

Falkirk - Results Number of clients registered - 300 Number of clients participating in PEP - 70 Number of clients accessing barrier free

funding - 51 Number of clients progressing into

employment – 93 (12 other positive transitions)

Conversion from PEPs – 48% into work/FE

Key variations in delivery East Ayrshire: Community venues Weekend/ evening

drop-in surgeries Local delivery All training

developed to suit the needs of the client and accessed externally

Falkirk: Town centre venue 10am to 2pm mid

week Support with travel

provided Some own delivery

What do the clients think? “They are so approachable and friendly, you never feel

like they haven’t got time for you and they are really helpful - you can sometimes feel when you go into a project like this a bit intimidated, but you don’t feel like that at all here.”

“When I first accessed the project they sent me on a couple of short courses to improve my confidence and raise my self esteem.... All of these stages have been useful because at the end of stage I have gained the confidence, skills and knowledge to move on to the next stage and hopefully I will be able to complete the stages by moving on to full time employment.”

Activity!

Barriers for clients entering the Personal Development and Preparing for Work Programmes

Programme Content Confidence &

motivational sessions (STEPS)

Core skills Short accredited

inputs eg. First Aid/ Food Hygiene

Childcare provided Group settings

Interview techniques Applications/CVs Job tasters Personal

presentation Other agency inputs

ie. money advice Flexible depending

on client needs

Falkirk Bespoke Programmes Sector specific based on demand Occupational areas to date include

Classroom Assistant, Social Care, Retail and General Construction

Waged combination of work experience and vocational training

Full induction then ongoing support provided

Case Study 1 – East Ayrshire

6 women living in a rural location Pram to Nursery Course Confidence Building Steps to Excellence 1 childminder, 2 entered

education, 1 volunteer and 2 working part-time

Case Study 2 – East Ayrshire

Single Parent Gained HNC Admin Accessed Confidence Building Accessed volunteering Now working part-time with local

MSP

Case Study 3 - Falkirk Client A came along to our Information Event last April. She

had a background in nursing but as a Lone parent with five children she had been advised it would be very difficult for her to find work to fit in with her childcare responsibilities. She didn’t want to go back to nursing and wanted support with interview techniques and other employment options. She received support from keyworker Alberta and started to become interested in a Classroom Assistants programme. She successfully completed the selection process (including interviews and core skills assessments) before gaining employment with Falkirk Council and a placement with one of the High schools.6 months later she and her family have adjusted well to the change and she is due to be offered a permanent post at the end of June.

Case Study 4 - Falkirk A client came to WFF who was interested in IT and

opportunities in that area. He had funded some training in this area already however had some confidence issues. His keyworker recommended he join the next Pre employment programme running at a local community centre which he did. Following successful completion in November he then started volunteering as an IT tutor. WFF provided clothes for interview and he has now been successful in gaining employment with Falkirk Royal Infirmary in the IT helpdesk

section.

Any Questions

Contact details:

Sandra Marshall – sandra.marshall@east –ayrshire.gov.uk

Louise McCallum – louise.mccallum@falkirk.gov.uk