ESF Working Arrangements 26 May 2011

1 Ensuring successful delivery across clusters Mary Vine-Morris, Director, London Councils

2 Ways of Working Not contractual Advocating a sensible alliance of partners with a mutual interest – young people who are sustained in learning and progress

3 Opportunity to maximise contract performance 2 successful contractors in each cluster, schools, training providers, colleges… An opportunity to compete or collaborate Mutual dependency

4 Targeting ESF provides up to £2,400 per young person in addition to the £2,000 to £5,000 mainstream funding A significant investment - must be targeted at the young people who need it most Urgency: some of the cohort leave school in a few weeks (destination?)

5 Referral Which schools, colleges, training providers to approach? Which support services to link with to ensure a joined up approach Young people must be assessed as eligible (at risk of becoming NEET) by Connexions or an organisation external to the project

6 Relationships Key strategic relationship with cluster groups Key working relationship with individual local authorities and partners Key operational relationship with education and training providers

7 Adding value to institutional responsibilities Supporting Mainstream Programme designed to support young people to stay in mainstream education, training or employment Close working - but should not provide an alternative programme to mainstream It does not replace existing responsibilities for support – and destination – of young person

8 Adding value to institutional responsibilities Filling Gaps Programme should not deliver activities or support that are already being delivered for the young person in the area targeted Projects should work closely with the local authority, partnership and providers in the area to ensure the programme complements other local provision

9 Adding value to institutional responsibilities One-to-one Mentors - key to the success of projects Must have relevant qualifications in careers advice, guidance or youth work or be supervised by someone who has these Should be in contact with the young person from the start of the programme to 26 weeks after the young person has finished the programme – looking for sustained outcome

10 Adding value to institutional responsibilities Employer links Address key issues that employers identify as barriers to employing young people Focus on supporting young people to access jobs or apprenticeships particularly in London and surrounding areas Olympic area project must work with Olympic Borough Host Unit

11 Partnership Working with Local Authorities Jo Baty, Senior Officer Commissioning, LB Redbridge

12 Facilitating working arrangements (14-19 Partnerships) Partnerships well developed with: Representation from all key local providers; Schools, Colleges, Connexions, Voluntary Sector, key Local Authority Services (Integrated Youth Support Services, Regeneration, Children Looked After etc.) Planning, reporting and accountability for NEET activities/targets has historically 'sat' here, ultimately reporting into Children's Trust Partnership Boards & Local Strategic Partnerships

13 Facilitating working arrangements (14-19 Partnerships) cont.. The landscape may be changing at a local level (Health and Well Being Boards etc.) but.. A huge focus for Partnerships and for the wider Local Authority and its partners now is Raising the Participation Age NEET (and preventing NEET) will remain high on the agenda

14 Knowledge of local need Hold much of the data around the pre-NEET cohort, where they are, what programmes best suit them Are aware of the sensitivities of previous delivery of ESF and other programmes for pre-NEET Can ensure that ESF Contractors are aware of the context within which they are working - what role Connexions play etc. Local Authorities and their Partnerships have a wealth of information around what's needed at a local level; what has been tried and tested; what works locally and what doesn't and:

15 Knowledge of local need Ensure ESF Contractors do not waste time approaching Schools and other Providers who do not require their services Ensure ESF Contractors add value and avoid duplication and above all.. Ensure the ESF delivery is well communicated, well coordinated and successful in meeting the needs of local providers and young people themselves Local Authorities and their Partnerships also know what is already happening 'on the ground' for the pre-NEET cohort and hence can: