Working Links Wales Work Programme - Opportunities & Challenges Ross Watts - Regional Employer Services Manager The Nuts & Bolts …… NEETs 8/09/2011

Who we are & current delivery Work Programme – why it’s different Work Programme- delivery overview & customer journey Demystifying ‘Black Box’ Stakeholder engagement Challenges and opportunities Working Links

Specialist provider of employability provision for people furthest away from the labour market. Shareholder executive from the Public, Private and Voluntary sector. Specific business units-Welfare to Work, Justice, Skills and Apprenticeships and International Development Established in 2000 as a pilot project supporting long term unemployment back into sustainable employment. Working Links

Working Links began in Wales in 2000 with 8 people implementing the pilot ‘Employment Zone’ Now employe nearly 200 people, with 22 offices across Wales Several contracts including Work Choice, Newday Services, and Work Programme (we’ve just gone live!!). We’ve helped more than 22,000 people into employment across Wales We understand the communities we work in We understand the policy and funding context in Wales Working Links Wales

Current contract delivery Newday Services ESF / NOMS Cymru Convergence areas of Wales Offenders/ Ex Offenders Training & Employment Outcomes Work Choice DWP Contract South East / Mid & North Wales 100% Sub contracted out (Scope & Shaw Trust) The Work Programme – (live 13 th June)

The Work Programme Why it’s different ? UK Government’s flagship welfare to work programme - single programme to replace complex network of provision. Scale: geography, volume & diversity - More than 146,000 people assisted through 2 Prime Contractors & diverse supply chains. Signals a catalyst for change – longevity, competition, emphasis on sustainability outcomes of 2 years (payment by results model ).

The Work Programme Why it’s different ? Combined client groups - move towards Universal Credit Designed to offer tailored personalised support – innovation through ‘Black Box’ Elevated status for primes – not just contractors but key stakeholders in the worklessness & regeneration agenda pan Wales.

Eligible Customer Groups Customer Group JCP -Referral Point From Mandatory Voluntary JSA MonthsMandatory JSA MonthsMandatory JSA Early Access3 MonthsMandatory or Voluntary JSA Ex IB3 MonthsMandatory ESA VolunteerAt Any TimeVoluntary ESA Flow (WRAG& Support Group) At Any Time (When customers fit for work within 3 Months) Mandatory or Voluntary ESA Ex IBAt Any Time (When customers fit for work within 3 Months) Mandatory / Voluntary **2 years allotted time on Programme**

Payment Trigger Points Customer Group Job Outcome Sustained Payments (4 Weekly Payments) JSA Weeks 13 (52 Weeks) JSA Weeks13 (52 Weeks) JSA Early Access13 Weeks 20 (80 Weeks) JSA Ex IB13 Weeks 20 (80 Weeks) ESA Volunteer13 Weeks20 (80 Weeks) ESA Flow (WRAG& Support Group) 13 Weeks 20 (80 Weeks) ESA Ex IB13 Weeks 26 (104 Weeks)

Working Links Agoriad Gwynedd & Anglesey Pembrokeshire College Pembrokeshire Torfaen Training Torfaen & Monmouthshire Remploy Powys & NPT Tier 1 Prime Contractor BITC, RATHBONE, SALLUS, GOFAL CYMRU, SKILL WALES Tier 2 End to End Providers Tier 3 Specialist Providers Delivery Structure

Colwyn BayRhyl Mold Wrexham Bangor Holyhead DolgellauPwllheli Machynlleth Welshpool Newtown Llandrindod Wells Brecon Ystradgynlais Aberystwyth Cardigan Bridgend Maesteg Treorchy Pontypridd Cardiff Newport Caerphilly Abertillery Tredegar Ebbw Vale Merthyr Tydfil Bargoed Pontypool Cwmbran Blaenavon Monmouth Chepstow Abergavenny Aberdare Swansea Ammanford Llanelli Carmarthen Pembroke Dock Milford Haven Haverfordwest Work Programme Delivery Locations Key:- Working Links (78.6%) Agoriad (5.3%) Remploy (7.7%) Torfaen Training (5.2%) Pembs College (3.2%) Neath Port Talbot

This thing called ‘Black Box’ What it is: Enables innovation Flexibility of process Flexibility of delivery design Flexibility of provision Focus on sustainability Minimum Service Levels touch points What it isn’t: Funding for everything and everyone Solely a skills programme Open ended and bottomless

Developing the delivery model to meet customer needs Collated best practice across contracts and functions ( Internal & supply chain) Analysis of best performing consultants (knowing what works ) Holistic approach that is sensitive to customer need ( pre & post employment) Significant investment in technology to create an efficient customer Journey. Employer led Supported through internal and external packages of specialist support. Underpinned by core minimum service levels (MSL’s)

Delivery Model Overview Referral Induction & Assessment My Way Up HUB Job Ready ACADEMY Moderate Barriers COMPASS Significant Barriers Job Entry / Exit In Work Support Engagement Pre –Work Support 1- 4 weeks Employer Offer

Engaging specialist support organisations Dynamic Support Catalogue Linked to our MY WAY UP diagnostic. Work with organisations with the experience and delivery expertise to add real value to the customer journey. Value the driver not cost. Provides MI to drive future commissioning activity Dedicated manager to support the delivery of specialist service providers. Support across the entire customer Journey Alignment with existing funded programmes where applicable Enhances the Employer Offer – Brokering of additional provision

Specific NEET’s interventions / Programmes Graduate Offer In partnership with BITC (Hub) 2 week work placement opportunity Utilising BITC’s high profile network of Employers CV ‘s, references and professional mentoring support The Launch Programme in Partnership With Rathbone Cymru (Compass) 1 Week intensive programme Personal Development Enterprise project Self managed reward activity.

Stakeholder Engagement Housing and housing related support services have a huge role to play in supporting WL to take the “Fear Factor out of Work Programme. United Welsh Tai Eryri Carterfi Conwy CIH (i2i) Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd Pre -Work Programme engagement activity is crucial Using your support, knowledge and expertise to further shape services delivered Alignment of service provision & continuity of customer Journey

Challenges and Opportunities Funding model Random allocation from JCP Single programme – simplicity, longevity and flexibility Collaboration with other Prime the Rehab Group Alignment and synergy - CRITICAL Maximise social and economic priorities (eg regeneration, inward investment and social clauses, etc)

Our Success has always been achieved through our People, Partnerships & Employers