Riverdale Steering Group Meeting - Manchester Strategic Housing ...

SHP Economy & Future Jobs Fund Workstream Meeting
28 th July 10.00 – 12.00
City West
Attendance
Robin Lawler Northwards RL
Rob Brown MCC RB
Kirk Gabbey-Cristofini MCC KGC
Sam Barber City South SB
Irene Southern Willow Park IS
Jessica Woodruff City West JW
Michelle Cottam City West MC
Peter Harrison Harvest PH
Sarah Ross MCC SR
David Sedman Great Places DS
Viv Renshaw Salix Homes VR
Alyson Hopkins Job Centre Plus AH
Mel Godfrey MCC MG
Heather Clark MCC HC
Ian Gregg Parkway Green IG
Kevin Barry MCC KB
Christos Tsapouris GNC CT
Mark Wilson Procure Plus MW
Steve Fanning Southway SF
Dianne Sodhi People First DS
Apologies
Jacqui Lewin
Helen Hawxwell
Dave McDonald
Hilary Sayers
Joanne McCabe
Sue Hart
Bob Pleasance
Kate Parker
Chris Page
Patricia Carmody
Dave Carter
Gordon Keenan
Chris Gopal
Alex Delap
Angela Harrington
Blue Orchid
Parkway Green
Work Solutions
MCC
Eastlands
Manchester College
Adactus
Procure Plus
Arawak Walton
Mosscare
Adactus
Housing Federation
BITC
MCC
MCC
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Economy
ACTION
1.
1.1
Minute of previous meeting
Agreed as true and accurate
2.
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
Local Employment Partnership Proposal Update
Formally launched at the beginning of July, press release in local media by
partners. Andy Carr (JCP) is the relationship manager. A proforma has been
agreed on how to refer vacancies and the process for putting people in the talent
pool. When people are in the Talent Pool they will be offered pre-employment
training. Role descriptors for 10 roles have been agreed and have been signed
off collectively.
Name has changed from Local Employment Partnership to ‘Get into Housing’.
Get Hired event was held on 22 nd July in Wythenshawe. 36 local unemployed
residents and a number of local businesses and training providers attended.
Job Centre Plus will track the attendees over 13 weeks to assess concrete
outcomes. 90% of participants rated the event as “excellent”. All of the
employers found the event useful and would recommend it. The arrangements
to be replicated in different areas – North, East, Inner South and Salford.
The target is to fill 25% of entry level jobs. However, it is hoped more will be
achieved. It can be used as a recruitment pool for local people. Proforma of
how many vacancies are expected has been circulated, in order to brief Job
Centre Plus and Blue Orchid.
If a job has not been found for FJF trainee within 5 months an interview will then
be held with an advisor. Volunteering is being developed to keep active and
develop further skills
Action: AH to send flowchart on the process of referring people into talent pool
to KGC
HR people need to break usual ways of advertising and Job Centre Plus agree
to make referrals within 48hours.
It is important to record what is being achieved in order to celebrate the
successes. Scheme may be extended across Greater Manchester if it is
successful.
AH
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3.
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9
3.10
3.11
3.12
Welfare to Work – Work Programme
HC advised that from next year there will not be any Working Neighbourhoods
fund. Registered providers may provide the additional services to residents to
overcome the housing barriers.
The Work Programme contract needs to go to a company that can handle the
circulation of millions of pounds and be paid later by result.
Job Centre Plus Greater Manchester Central phase 1 flexible new deal contracts
are already in place. Currently looking at ways that it can be adapted. It was
mentioned that flexible new deal could have an add on.
There are 27 subcontractors which may not offer a service in every area of GM.
It was highlighted that the voluntary/community sector may not be able to
provide money up front; further to this payments are linked to job sustainability.
It is likely that people will need more than just the traditional employment
support. They may need other support as many will have mental health issues.
For those on incapacity benefit they will have to have an independent
assessment. Job Centre Plus have mental health co-ordinators in each district.
Regarding JSA proposed, there will be a 10% reduction after 12 months from
2013 It is important to get people on benefits onto these programmes. It was
put forward that it will have an implication on childcare arrangements. However
RPs could provide assistance in work clubs.
Action: Invite Issy Taylor to next meeting to explain Step Up.
Blue Orchid will need to be sub-contracted to main providers of Work
Programme.
Concern was raised as to whether there would be a conflict of interest between
the two roles of being a RP and also a sub contractor.
Expressions of interest are being sought for prime contractors which should be
received by the end of August with preliminary discussions then starting.
Issues such as the supply chain, priority areas and issues faced with to be
confirmed. Currently, information is being collected in the present structure.
Opinions are needed from partners on the key questions.
Action: Email HC with any feedback
Gordon Keenan sent his apologies for the meeting. However, National Housing
Federation are looking at doing some work nationally and may be expressing an
interest as a prime contractor and would like to talk to the group as to how they
KGC
ALL
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3.13
3.14
3.15
3.16
3.17
3.18
3.19
3.20
can work together.
Possible exploratory meeting as to how things could be taken further. RL to set
up with HC and NFA.
Action: HC to send KGC presentation on Work Programme to be circulated to
the group.
Information is available on the DWP website http://www.dwp.gov.uk/
Regarding young people, the Local Authority won’t have the commissioning role
for post 16 year olds. The Government is keen to get SureStart back to
engaging vulnerable families.
Priority Neighbourhoods to be agreed with a desire to influence new criteria. As
far as the Group is concerned the whole of the city is a priority.
There may be a lot of foreign companies involved as there are not enough home
companies to be able to cope with Work Programme..
In order to combat the fear of not being involved, it may be necessary to speak
as a collective voice.
Action: KGC to refresh invite to Walt Crowson
Sub contractors are being asked to show interest now. HC to circulate details of
Serco contact.
RL
HC/KG
C
KGC
HC
4.
4.1
Action Plan Delivery and Responsibilities
Small group to meet to refresh the action plan
RL/IG
5.
5.1
5.2
DWP Working Benefits Campaign
Sustainability key part of work programme. The discretionary fund is available
where money can be applied for to help with work related items or transitional
items. However, there is a limit to the amount of money that people can recieve.
There is also an access to work fund for employers.
“Better off” calculation can be done at JCP to give a good idea to show what
people are entitled too. In theory 90% of people should be better off in
employment. Changing the basis of benefits should make work more attractive.
Future Jobs Fund
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1.
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9
1.10
FJF Update
SR advised that AGMA still has a FJF contract which will run to September 2011
with the last intake being March 2011. 15% are hotspot vacancies rather that
18-24 year olds. However, the whole of Manchester could be classed as a
hotspot area. The Commission for the New Economy is the best contact.
Only MCC is hitting it’s AGMA targets each month. There are 1,500
opportunities to find. More opportunities are needed from partners or targets will
not be met. It needs to be found if there are any problems and be more creative
with what opportunities are on offer. 560 people have been placed ¾ are with
the City Council. However, the capacity within other sectors is big as well. It will
not be possible to carry numbers forward in the following year, if it is not used by
March it will be lost.
FJF has made differences. The aim is to give people a 6 month job which will
leave them better equipped to move into the mainstream labour market.
There is the potential for 3 cohorts on the programme, with a priority to refill
vacancies while recruitment can be done at any time. If any further information
is needed to clarify any issues please contact Sarah Ross
s.ross@manchester.gov.uk
It was highlighted that admin roles have been hard to fill than the manual labour
positions. Part of the problem is that there needs to be something to grab
people’s attention to make admin roles more appealing. Talent Spotting has
been piloted in the Council which is an internal evaluation tool which can then be
shared with partners.
The private sector needs to be linked in which could be done via the Chamber of
Commerce, private sector employers and Job Centre Plus. FJF “talent spotted”
people could be offered to employers which would save them on a costly
recruitment process.
With the requirements of SFA ?? funding there are mixed messages regarding
eligibility criteria.
It is possible to engage the private sector as long as they can show community
benefit.
It is a stated intention that people in month 5 can be referred in to LEP talent
pool.
Action: AH to get Andy Carr to progress it.
To clarify the process at month 5:
It will lead to a guaranteed place in further education / volunteering
Guaranteed referral to an appropriate support provision
May need ongoing support as they may not be a Job Centre Plus customer
If partners would like to maintain involvement this can be factored into the exit
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AH
5

support
Work Solutions fills out the forms for the Talent Pool
Work Solutions can be asked directly if people have been referred on
Need to be realistic what level of support is out there for leavers to meet their
expectations
If partners haven’t been involved in work plan for individuals contact SR
Work Solutions are tracking where people go as they leave FJF but not
thereafter.
1.11
1.12
Post FJF, there is a scheme to track people after their exit interviews
JW highlighted that David Timperley is the contact for Salford
2.
2.1
Procedure for Co-host employers
SR to email booklet out.
SR
Next meeting to be held 14 th September 10.00am at City South
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