Community Outreach Project Presented by Marie Gillott External Relations Manager Jobcentre Plus Anne Gent Local Partnership and Project Manager Jobcentre Plus

Community Outreach Project

Project Aims & Objectives To reduce the numbers of families in poverty by tackling generational unemployment in deprived estates Work with Family Units in the community to address collective barriers and move them into employment Ensure vulnerable customers are not left further behind society as a result of the current economic downturn Transform the culture within deprived estates to instigate a work ethic providing a lasting legacy that improves peoples lives

Where and why?...Norley Level of worklessness is included in the top 3% of deprivation in the country Level of ESA/IB is double the national average Many people made redundant in the last recession are still claiming benefits 59.4% of children living in child poverty Lone Parents are double the national average Lack of cohesive work focussed approach in the area. Youth employment is significantly higher than the regional / national level. High number of residents aged and age group Land use is mainly residential, primarily Social Housing of 75% A Citizens Panel Survey if the residents felt involved in their local community - results: Norley Ward – 28% against a Borough average of 45% 52% of all crimes in the Pemberton Wards happen in Norley East. Highest factors are ‘woundings’ and ‘drug abuse’

The Strategy Small team of Jobcentre Plus Advisers working directly in the community To address the entrenched problems of inter-generational worklessness prevalent on some estates / neighbourhoods To engage with local jobless people: Focus on those who don’t use mainstream services; Address negative conceptions of work; Help move closer to the labour market and into work

How we deliver Provide a wrap round service based on ‘whole families’ in the community Build on, link and enhance the current Wigan MBC Learning and Employment Skills Project/Wigan Life Project Work in partnership with: Local Authority – Wigan and Leigh Housing Private Sector Providers Voluntary Sector Expand the work with our Working Neighbourhood Teams Build on the local Children’s Centre’s Outreach services Link with Employers

Where and how Principles: Working collaboratively with local agencies and partners in developing an holistic approach Advisers based in the community on deprived estates Work with Family Units not just individuals Premises provided by local Partners Staffed by JCP Work with our Employers-local jobs for local people Helping customers to help themselves to develop skills through participation and ownership

What we offer our customers Customers will be offered a tailored, joined up personalised service We will offer a choice of venues to customers-where they feel most comfortable Build a relationship with a personal adviser to ensure trust and ownership Use funding innovatively and effectively –evaluating outcomes Listening to our customers and react to feedback Adopt a flexible approach to how often the customer is seen on their journey out of worklessness

How we work with the community Engage all workless customers and their families by means of introduction through Housing Officers, LA Learning, Employment and Skills Partnership, PCT, Children Centre Link Staff, Wigan Life Skills Centre/Shops and Jobcentre Plus Advisers Link with WNF commissioned projects to engage with physically and mentally disabled customers Ex-Offenders and their families. Building on relationships already achieved via Probation and ETE Forums Employer Strategy to be created Identify local training opportunities Work with local JCP Partnership Manager

Outcomes The project started 1 September 2010 Staffing comprises: 1 Project Manager, 7 Advisers and 1 Admin Support The project outcomes to date are: 499 Engaging with the project 724 Job submissions 146 Into work 190 Into training

Keys to success Experienced and highly motivated staff with a wide knowledge base, i.e. Lone Parent Advisers, Jobsearch Advisers, Employment Engagement and Outreach staff, Disability Employment Advisers and they’re all local people Comprehensive training consisting of: 2 days induction overview of the project Health Trainers Certificate training Debt Counselling Providers’ overview Housing Benefit Calculation accreditation Better-off in Work advice Health and Safety on the front line

Keys to success Working in partnership with Wigan and Leigh Housing to secure premises and understand the local estates, including attending local resident’s tenant forums Based on the estate Good relationship with the press Events Understanding the labour market in the area Being brave to use new ways of working, addressing new barriers and issues

How to contact us Wigan Community Outreach Team Wigan

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