Agenda item

This paper provides an update on progress with the Work and Health programme and the appointment of Shaw Trust as the provider selected to deliver the scheme.

Shaw Trust have been invited to attend the Board meeting in order to update members on how they plan to deliver the programme.

Paul Najsarek (Chief Executive – London Borough of Ealing) introduced the report providing the Board with a progress update on development of the devolved Work and Health Programme.

The Board noted that following the outcome of a successful procurement process, conducted through the London Borough of Ealing, Shaw Trust had been appointed to deliver the programme on behalf of the West London Alliance.

The Board were then introduced to Kim Archer (Health and Employment Programme Manager), John Griffith, Sally Gibbs and Karen Mitchell from Shaw Trust who, members were advised, had been invited to outline the Trust’s proposals for delivery of the programme.  Having welcomed the representatives from the Trust, the Board then received a presentation which covered the following areas:

·                The background to the Shaw Trust and the their mission and values as a national charity;

·                An outline of the work undertaken by the Trust, which by 2022 was expected to see them having supported over 1m individuals in overcoming barriers to employment;

·                The current extent of coverage for services provided via the Trust and in partnership across not only Central England and the Home Counties but also more specifically across the West London region;

·                The main requirements and critical success factors identified in relation to delivery of the programme, which had been structured on a payment by results basis.  The critical success factors were identified as – helping those with a disability or health condition, the long term unemployed or other disadvantaged groups to find and sustain work; integrate the programme with local services and health provision so participants receive more co-ordinated and holistic support; and meeting local priorities and need;

·                The key differences between the programme and the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) National Contract, which would include outcomes based on earning the London Living Wage; 15 months’ delivery plus 6 months of in-work support; the inclusion of additional priority groups for early access and referrals only through a Job Centre Plus (JCP) Work Coach;

·                The key elements involved in delivery of the programme which would be focussed around a one to one relationship with a dedicated support manager supported by the Shaw Trust Health and Wellbeing Team in a local hub, local specialists and expert volunteers with time credits to promote social inclusion;

·                An outline of a participants expected journey through the programme and of the Inclusive Employment Service with a dedicated West London Team;

·                The alignment between the programme and delivery of the Boards priorities;

·                The added value from Shaw Trust’s involvement in the programme involving a commitment for up-front investment supported by the re-investment of contract surpluses which would translate, as an example, into – a new Work and Wellbeing Hub based in Ealing; expert volunteers supporting participants and facilitating community integrations; the offer of time credits and closer integration of services with the opportunity to jointly commission and better combine resources.

Comments were then sought on the programme, with the following issues raised in the discussion that followed:

a.         Thanks were expressed by the Board to all those involved in developing and securing delivery of the programme.  Whilst this had involved a challenging timescale and process the final deal was felt to represent good value for money as well as providing a more tailored approach towards meeting the needs of local people with multiple barriers to employment.  Members were also pleased to celebrate delivery of the scheme as one of the first projects led on by the Board.

b.         The Boards support for the delivery approach identified which whilst designed to provide a consistent model had also recognised the individual nature of all participating boroughs.  The engagement of expert volunteers and use of time credits were welcomed with Members also keen to ensure that as wide a range of organisations were engaged as possible in terms of supporting development of the employment offer, including the participating local authorities as employers.

c.         Further details were sought on the reason for the referral route on to the programme only being available through JCP Work Coaches.  In response John Griffith advised that this had been a requirement of DWP, as one of the conditions relating to their grant funding of the devolved programme.  Whilst recognising concerns raised about the nature of the referral process and need for more integrated and joined up working with JCP, Dan Gascoyne (Director – West London Alliance) highlighted the good working relationships already established with JCP regionally with the Shaw Trust also advising that they would be closely monitoring the referral process.

The importance of local authority staff being aware of the referral process and involvement of JCP in the selection process was also identified alongside the need to develop integrated and co-ordinated plans for shared clients.

d.      The Board was also keen to explore the types of barriers preventing individuals from gaining access to and remaining in employment.  In terms of barriers preventing access John Griffith felt a real issue remained a lack of integration between key services with whom individuals may be involved.  In terms of retaining employment the challenge was to support individuals past their initial 6-month period in work as the chances of them sustaining long term employment greatly increased after this period.  The programme being delivered by the Shaw Trust had been designed to address these challenges, but would require the support of the Board and all partner organisations in relation to the necessary level of integration between services.

Councillor Butt, on behalf of the Board, thanked the Shaw Trust for their presentation and advised that members were looking forward to working with them in supporting delivery of the programme.

Having noted the presentation, it was RESOLVED that the Board fully support the rollout of the service and its integration with wider employment services being offered across West London.