Welfare Reform Team Evaluation of European Social Fund pilot project 2014-2015

Project milestones and changes to project delivery
Key project milestones and changes to project delivery are shown in the project
timeline below.
Milestones and highlights
April 2014
• Agreed project outcome and funding with ESF Department at the Department of
Work and Pensions (DWP)
• Recruited additional staff to support existing team caseworkers to deliver and
manage the project
May 2014
• New team members started and inducted – 3 x Welfare Reform Officers (2 ESFfunded
and 1 funded by the council), Partnerships and Communications Officer, and
Performance and Audit Officer
• Contacted existing local partners and outlined the project, identifying potential
needs around customer support and training
• Scoped and contacted potential partners (e.g. training organisations such as Workers
Educational Association (WEA) and EMBS) to provide bespoke short courses for
project participants to improve employment readiness
• Developed a series of initiatives with local JCP to encourage two way referrals of
customers, and worked with JCP work coaches to co-deliver employment related
support and activities
• Developed an internally approved comprehensive communications plan for the
project to promote the ESF project on various internal and external media channels
• DWP ESF Baseline Meeting on 28 May where delivery and activity plans were
outlined and feedback given on requirements for reporting and communications
around the project
June 2014
• Began enrolling new and existing customers into the project. A redesigned triage
form included a series of questions designed to capture project management
information, customers’ confidence around budgeting, with IT, and employment
readiness, and a customer declaration confirming their agreement to enrol in the
project
• Launched the project with a press release and articles in local press and community
newsletters, and meetings with all internal and external partners
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