Nigel Purkis, Mervyna Thomas and Ben Jones Working with lone parents to meet Work Programme targets 30 th June 2011

Objectives for the session The Rumsfeld Factor Lone parents and the Work Programme How can Gingerbread help? Case History – Marks & Start Questions Outline of Presentation

To show: Why we need to understand the particular issues faced by single parents How this can support achievement of Work Programme targets How Gingerbread can help in this Objectives of the session

Employability programmes since 1918 Known and trusted by single parents Supporting Primes in FND, JCPSC and Work Programme Strong employer contacts Reliable delivery partner Gingerbread credentials

How much do you know about single parents? The answers The Rumsfeld Factor

1. In 2010, how many one parent families were there in the UK? 1.9 million Equates to 1 in 4 families with dependent children headed by a single parent 10% of these families are from an ethnic minority background (Sources: ONS, 2011; Families and Children Study, 2008)

2. What is the average age of a single parent in the UK? 36 years old Teenage school leaver pushing a pram is an inaccurate stereotype of a single parent Age distribution: -2% under 20 years old -14% under 25 years old (Sources: FACS, 2005/ Families & Children Study Data 2008) Routes into single parenthood -50% previously married but divorced or separated -45% never married but vast majority separated from co- habitation -5% widowed (Sources: Families & households in the UK, 2001 – 2010, ONS)

3. What percentage of single parents is male? 10 % Not an everyday occurrence; however single fathers account for a significant number in single parent population Most common routes into single fatherhood are divorce or bereavement (Source: ONS, published 2011)

Who is a typical single parent?

4. According to current DWP regulations for a single parent claiming benefit, how old would their youngest child have to be to stop claiming Income Support and move over to Jobseeker’s Allowance? 7 years old Since November 2008 rapid changes within the welfare system have affected single parents’ access to benefits - November 2008 – 12 years old - November 2009 – 10 years old - November 2010 – 7 years old - Early 2012 – 5 years old Difference in claimant obligations from Income Support to Jobseeker’s Allowance can affect motivation and engagement

5. How many hours per week would a single parent need to work to be eligible for back to work benefits including support with childcare costs? 16 hours per week

6. A single parent claimant can restrict their working hours to school hours – true or false? TRUE Single parents with a child under the age of 12 years old can restrict their working hours to school hours only Providers on the Work Programme are liable to cover the costs of childcare and travel for their single parent clients (Source: DWP – Work Programme Specification and Supporting Information)

7. Which of the following percentages denote the maximum level of childcare covered by working tax credit for a single parent? 70 % Reliable and affordable childcare is one of the key issues to consider when returning to work as a single parent Working Tax Credit will cover childcare up to a maximum of 70% of: - £175 per week for one child - £300 per week for two children or more This equates to a maximum of £122 and £210 per week respectively April 2011 the maximum level of support dropped from 80% to 70% - a marked difference to many single parents’ financial situation

8. What percentage of unemployed single parents have said they would like to be in paid employment? 90 % Single parents are keen and motivated to work Between 1997 – 2008 the percentage of working single parents has risen from 45% - 57% Rise has been mirrored by increase in affordable and accessible childcare and financial in-work support In comparison with other New Deal groups - 18 to 24 year olds and disabled people - single parents are the fastest disadvantaged group to move into work (Sources: Labour Force Survey, 2009;ONS Statistical bulletin, 2010)

Summary Unemployment is a problem not a symptom within this client group Single parents are a diverse client group who require diverse employment solutions Recognition of inter-connected factors and providing accurate and suitable advice is important Gingerbread can support you to be better providers and advisors to your single parent clients With our range of employment solutions and tools we can help you achieve your job outcomes and more importantly reap the rewards of sustainable employment on the Work Programme

11% of participants Those with most barriers Lone parents want to work Past problems with sustainability Not insurmountable Lone Parents & the Work Programme

Training your staff Engaging and motivating clients Providing wider support to staff and clients Information Package Gingerbread Groups Delivering outcomes Pre–employment workshops Access to Marks & Start How can Gingerbread help?

Marks & Start ‘Lone Parents Returning to Work’

History  Marks & Start is Marks & Spencer’s flagship community programme helping the Homeless, Young Unemployed, Disabled and Single Parents move into paid work (part of Plan A)  Gingerbread has successfully delivered the Single Parent strand of Marks & Start in the UK and Ireland since February 2004  Marks & Start is the only route to work placements with Marks & Spencer  So far over 2000 single parents have benefited from the scheme  The longevity of the programme has enabled continuous refinement and improvement.

Track Record  50% into-work rate within 13 weeks increasing to 64% with intensive post- placement support ( )  92% of participants complete the programme  96% of completers report increased motivation and commitment to employment  90% job sustainability after 13 weeks (partnership with a welfare to work provider)  History of successful partnerships with welfare to work providers, local authorities, and Jobcentre Plus

Get Involved  Referrals to mainstream programmes – always heavily oversubscribed  We already have a partnership with Working Links in Scotland, Wales and South West England for their Work Programme customers, and have local partnerships with Jobcentre Plus and housing associations  Subject to M&S’s approval, we can arrange additional placements and deliver Marks & Start programmes funded by welfare to work providers for your single parent customers

To show: Why we need to understand the particular issues faced by single parents How this can support achievement of Work Programme targets How Gingerbread can help in this Objectives of the session

Contact: Questions?