Clean Slate and Housing ProvidersProgressing practical responses to worklessness

Jeff Mitchell

Progressing ResponsesProgressing ResponsesIntroducing Clean SlateContextPractical steps for housing providersWorklessness in the supply chain

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

(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

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

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) – looking at retro-fitting

and (with Quids in!) engaging low income householdsGoodwill 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

Work StepsWork 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/ packingDecision-making: Buy-in and approval

Clean Slate in B&NESProgressing practical responses to worklessness

Jeff Mitchell