Agenda item
Unemployment and Work Programme providers
Members of the Scrutiny Committee requested information on the work programme and how this national scheme is supporting long-term unemployed Brent residents into sustainable employment. The Work Programme is commissioned at a regional level by the Department of Work and Pensions to deliver support and job brokerage to those who have been unemployed longer than two years. The report will cover the current level and trends in unemployment and the performance of the work programme in Brent in tackling long term unemployment.
Report to follow.
Minutes:
The Chair introduced the item and expressed on behalf of the committee its disappointment that representatives from two of the Work Programme providers, Reed and CDG, had given their apologies for absence. He also added that not all the information requested by members on this item had been provided, particularly in relation to specific information on the most deprived areas of each ward. The Chair stated that he would write a letter to officers and Work Programme providers on behalf of the committee setting out what information they wanted.
The Chair then invited Lucy Carmichael (Operations Manager, Ingeus, a representative of one of the Work Programme providers, to give a presentation to members. Lucy Carmichael began by explaining that only non-confidential information could be provided at this time as a non disclosure agreement between the council and the Work Programme providers was yet to be agreed. Lucy Carmichael then gave a presentation to members setting out Ingeus’ approach to the Work Programme and the initiatives it undertook to support a stronger community in Brent, including:
· Tackling unemployment
· Working with small and medium sized enterprises
· Improving health and wellbeing
· Partnership working
Lucy Carmichael informed members that Ingeus staff undertook a number of roles to help Brent residents, including employment advisers, administrators, group facilitators, physical health advisers, mental health advisers and employer partnership coordinators. Amongst the partners Ingeus worked with included Clarion, who helped support clients who are deaf or hard of hearing. Lucy Carmichael then explained how the service it offered worked from the beginning to the end of the process and around 70% of the income Ingeus received came from after clients had gained employment. Members were also informed about the Training, Knowledge and Opportunities (TKO) programme, an innovative initiative set up by Ingeus.
During members’ discussion, the committee asked if Ingeus were successful in obtaining employment for its clients. A member requested that the success of the Work Programme providers be demonstrated in a measurable way and he asked in what ways could the council help in getting residents into long term employment. Another member, in noting that Ingeus worked with a number of colleges, asked why there appeared to be no links with secondary schools and could this be looked at and he also asked whether there was any support to develop ‘soft skills.’ A member queried what the biggest skills gap and mismatch in the borough were and were there efforts to achieve a balance between obtaining what would be perceived as good jobs for clients as opposed to jobs where there was a demand for them to be filled. She also asked whether any jobs were sub-contracted and to who and was there a working relationship with organisations in the community and voluntary sector.
A member commented that he had worked with voluntary organisations for a number of years and stated that he had observed that a number of children who had left school early or who had not performed well significantly lacked the skills and knowledge of what employers expected from them and would struggle with the “culture of work” concept. He also enquired whether any participants on the Work Programme were on zero hour contracts. Another member stated that the council did not support zero hours contracts and any instances of Work Programme clients being put on such a contract should be investigated. A member commented that there were a number of young people who needed help in acquiring the necessary skills for employment.
In reply to the issues raised, Lucy Carmichael advised that Ingeus had targets set for getting their clients into employment and that this was the only way it received income and this helped drive it to be successful in its objectives. She added that it was also important for her organisation to demonstrate its success for its own reputation. Members heard that staffs’ emotional intelligence was also assessed so that they could manage complicated cases. Lucy Carmichael informed the committee that her organisation did teach soft skills, such as work etiquette and the expectations of employers, to clients, and in-house English language training was also available. Members noted that those under 18 year olds were not eligible for the Work Programme. Lucy Carmichael advised that sustainability was one area which needed strengthening in terms of employment and skills, however an example of an emerging industry in the borough was the care industry which was also sustainable and this was an area where training was being focused. Members heard that personality skills in the care industry were more important than experience and this would help younger people find work in this area.
Lucy Carmichael stated that it was ultimately up to the individual as to what kind of work they wanted and an action plan would be tailored to their desires and needs. However, in some instances there may be a need to take a job as a stepping stone to their ultimately desired job. Members heard that there were some sub-contractors involved in the Work Programme who provided specialist provision and an example of this was Brent Mind. Some community and voluntary sector organisations were also involved in sign posting and helping clients gain confidence. The committee heard that it was likely that some clients may be on zero hours contracts and their employment advisers would be aware of this. Lucy Carmichael also welcomed members to visit Ingeus’s offices if they felt this would be of benefit.
The Chair emphasised the importance of the non disclosure agreement being reached between the Work Programme providers and the council. He added that it would be useful if there could be more information on how the council could assist Work Programme providers and their clients and that there needed to be a more joined up approach. He requested that the committee receive updates on unemployment levels and Work Programme providers on a quarterly basis.
RESOLVED:
that the report on unemployment levels in Brent and the Work Programme be noted.
Supporting documents: