Welfare Reform Team Evaluation of European Social Fund pilot project 2014-2015
welfare_reform_european_social_fund_project_evaluation_report
welfare_reform_european_social_fund_project_evaluation_report
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A customer with low level support needs may only need a DHP to pay rent shortfalls<br />
while they find work independently; in many cases, however, customers needed<br />
referral to one or more partners to help them deal with circumstances that were<br />
preventing them from finding work.<br />
Barriers to work<br />
As part <strong>of</strong> the triage process, customers were asked to identify their barriers to work,<br />
with caseworkers able to record up to three for <strong>project</strong> data capture requirements.<br />
4<br />
5%<br />
6<br />
7%<br />
6<br />
7%<br />
6<br />
7%<br />
2<br />
3%<br />
4<br />
5%<br />
2<br />
2%<br />
2<br />
2%<br />
1 1<br />
1% 1%<br />
12<br />
15%<br />
Barriers to work<br />
22<br />
27%<br />
15<br />
18%<br />
Childcare<br />
Housing<br />
Health or disability<br />
Lack experience<br />
Lack skills<br />
Language<br />
Criminal record<br />
Lack <strong>of</strong> confidence<br />
Age<br />
Carer<br />
Cultural barriers<br />
Lack <strong>of</strong> education<br />
Other<br />
The main barrier to work for customers in the <strong>project</strong> was childcare, representing<br />
more than a quarter (27%) <strong>of</strong> barriers to work mentioned by customers. As one<br />
customer told us in their final evaluation questionnaire, “it’s been hard due to having<br />
children and two that are not at full time school.”<br />
With no partner <strong>of</strong>fer for childcare, this barrier remained largely intact. The provision<br />
<strong>of</strong> 15 hours’ free childcare for three and four year olds (and, depending on a<br />
household’s circumstances, for some two year olds) was <strong>of</strong>ten not enough to help,<br />
as parents frequently had little choice over the pattern <strong>of</strong> childcare <strong>of</strong>fered.<br />
The team was able to reimburse some customers for childcare costs while they<br />
undertook training, and childcare was provided for customers attending the Barton<br />
job fair. We will consider the need for childcare provision as part <strong>of</strong> any training or<br />
support <strong>of</strong>fer later in this evaluation.<br />
26