1. Welfare aware?: informing, engaging and supporting tenants to meet the challenge Malen Davies & Laura Gardiner, Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion Marc Molloy & Mumtaz Samad-Dey, Family Mosaic Kamini Sanghani, London Borough of Brent © www.islington giving.org.uk

2. How are tenants responding to the new welfare and employment landscape? Malen Davies & Laura Gardiner Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion

3. Policy context – a reminder Reforms to Housing Benefit during 2013: social sector size criteria and benefit cap Longer-term welfare reforms through Universal Credit – particular changes for HB claimants More tenants on ‘active’ out-of-work benefits, greater engagement with mainstream employment provision Affordable rents and housing supply policies – further driving financial incentives to work

4. Awareness and understanding “I didn’t know that. It's actually quite scary now that you've said that to me. Obviously if I can't pay my rent then I'll have to move out.” Tracy (benefit cap, £315 / wk loss) A couple had no knowledge of upcoming changes... “When I did an interview at the Jobcentre, they told me that if you’re not working and you’re on a certain amount of benefit for the year then the government is not going to pay.” Samira (benefit cap, £80 / wk loss)...most knew that reforms were coming, but not how they would be affected personally and financially......almost no awareness of changes under Universal Credit

5. Preparation and response Some had already taken action in the face of the changing landscape... “What happens, happens.” Janet (under-occupier, £25 / wk loss)...but many were responding passively and waiting to see what happens “If I start budgeting from now, I think I’ll be alright...It just makes me want to get into work more, and ideally that’s what the government wanted anyway...I think, in the long run, I do think it will be a good thing, definitely, because I think as a person you can’t sit on benefits all your life. You need to grow as a person, and show your children to go out, to go to uni, to go to work and stuff.” Anita (benefit cap, £20 / wk loss)

6. Support needs An appetite for support and advice across the board, and strong connections between housing, employment, financial, and digital needs......but a feeling that information and support should and will come to them, without them need to go out and find it or ask for it “My single parent support, she's quite good. Since I've been going with her she's been quite supportive.” Colette (benefit cap, £180 / wk loss)...generally positive views of the range of organisations out there to help... “It just seems so confusing...so I am just going to leave it.” Fay (benefit cap, £130 / wk loss)

7. Views on moving into work Two groups: those who were very work focused......and those who felt that work was not a realistic option... “I'm not fussy, I don't mind doing anything as long as I can provide for my household and my kids...if I could do courses or the Work Programme or things like that I would definitely do it.” Colette (benefit cap, £180 / wk loss) “I couldn't sit in an office all day, it would bore me...and I won't put my children into childcare. I don't trust anyone with my children.” Tracy (benefit cap, £315 / wk loss)...widespread confusion within both groups about whether work would make them better off

8. Conclusions Communication Personalisation Outreach A holistic approach

9. we can Family Mosaic: Employment Support

10. we can Family Mosaic: Employment Support Mumtaz Samad-Dey & Marc Molloy

11. we can Engaging the hard to engage What we will cover today? Why we invest in employment support Our Employment Boot Camp Model What we have learnt & Key outputs Follow up Support Models

12. we can 1000 INTO JOBS Why the 1000 into Jobs? -team placed 740 people into jobs from 2005 to 2012 -have in-house expertise – Matrix accredited - good internal and external reputation -excellent partnership working – Las, JCP, other RSLs and employers -More investment = More jobs!

13. we can Employment Boot camps Gap in service - medium to long term unemployed - closer to the job market Offer something ‘unique’ that challenges people to: -rethink their lifestyle -identify and address personal barriers -change their attitude -feel positive about the future

14. we can “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result” – Albert Einstein

15. we can Designed for customers Challenge, Invigorate and Inspire customers through practical workshops

16. we can How does it work? The Boot Camp Model Targeted Recruitment Pre Course Interview 1 hour workshops 2 Days per week 6 week Course Incremental Holistic Learning Programme Personalised Follow Up Support Package In Work Support

17. we can EBC Modules: Confidence & Employability Self Confidence & Presentation Self Motivation Creating a winning CV 21 st century job search Confidence at interviews Lifting the lid on the recruitment sector

18. we can EBC Modules: Nutrition, Health & Wellbeing Understanding different types of nutrition Healthy eating Wellbeing Fitness & Vitality

19. we can EBC Modules: Money management Welfare reforms Budget planning Debt management Lending, loans & banking Personal action plans

20. we can What have we learnt? Emotional reaction Pre Course Interview Learning Agreement Suitable trainers Follow up support

21. we can What are the outcomes so far? Increased engagement 25% gone onto work/training placements 28% employed 80 people will have gone through by Aug

22. we can Follow up support: Get that Job! Bespoke 3 day course focussing on: Emotional intelligence Team building exercises Employability skills including 2 mock interviews with feedback with senior & middle managers within FM Presentation skills Dress for success

23. we can Follow up support: Get that Promotion! Bespoke half day course focussing on: Building on skills Career progression Getting noticed in the workplace

24. we can Thank You for listening Any Questions?

25. Kamini Sanghani London Borough of Brent © www.islington giving.org.uk

26. 2,604 affected by benefit cap in BRENT

27. Benefit Cap – customer contact and support 2300 benefit caps Revenue & Benefits Welfare Team 1200 people >£50 a week shortfall Face to face interviews Employment needs identified Housing Options team 831 households Living in temporary accommodation Outreach - Door knocking Employment needs identified Complex Constraints Navigators Referral to JCP Referral to CAB Referral to other services Referral to Employment Provision