The VCS Alliance is excited to announce that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has agreed funding for an innovative project to help people farthest from the job market to start their journey towards it. The project will take place across Bradford District, supported by the DWP Flexible Support Fund, beginning August 2022.
If your organisation has experience in relevant areas such as employment support, or working with people facing the biggest barriers to employment, please see the attached advert for more details and how to apply to become a delivery partner.
Expressions of Interest must be submitted by no later than Monday 6th June, 5pm.
| Purpose of the project | To reach and support around 360 of those people furthest from employment to become engaged and benefit from Job Centre Plus (JCP) provision, with a view to accessing or re-integrating with the job market. |
| Criteria for support | • Individuals aged 16+ in receipt of Universal Credit • Individuals with complex needs and/or facing multiple barriers where work is not yet a consideration and no other provision is suitable • Priority given to those living in areas of high deprivation e.g., Scholemoor, Ravenscliffe etc. and/ or non-geographic communities with particular needs e.g., mental health issues, substance use etc. • Access onto the programme will be voluntary • Referrals can be made from DWP Work Coaches and Community Networks • Living in the Bradford District including Keighley |
| Duration of project | Eighteen months from August 2022 to 31st January 2024. |
| Funding | The overall combined value of the project is in excess of £300,000. |
| Delivery Model |
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| Qualifying individuals (hereafter referred to as clients) will receive intensive 1:2:1 navigator/ coaching support from a funded worker employed directly by the delivery partner organisation on either a full or part time basis. Funding will cover salary, on costs including national insurance and pension, and costs incurred for the management, supervision and development of the worker. |
| Support for clients will be provided on a ‘roll on roll off’ basis with the expectation that they will receive support for an average of 6 months, based on individual need and progress made. |
| Support for clients will be provided on a ‘roll on roll off’ basis with the expectation that they will receive support for an average of 6 months, based on individual need and progress made. |
| Primarily support, wrap around services e.g., basic life skills and learning, will be provided in community locations that clients know and trust. However, signposting outside of known community locations may be required when there is an identified need for specialist support e.g., substance use, or learning opportunities such as work experience. |
| Develop communication channels and close working relationships with DWP/ JCP colleagues. Identify suitable DWP and other existing support programmes and encourage clients to access these where appropriate. Where possible provide an active presence in Jobcentres to help maintain working relationships |
| Flexible and tailored support, the majority of which will be 1:2:1, will help clients to take control and be empowered to make the transition to independently engage and access Jobcentre Plus and mainstream provision to bring them closer to the job market. |
| Utilise Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) approaches within delivery where appropriate and practical to do so |
| Data collection, management and progressions – Summary (Full specification will be available to download at the bottom of the page). |
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| This project is funded by the DWP under the Flexible Support Grant Funding. It is a requirement of funding that delivery partner organisations collect the personal data detailed below from people receiving support. Their informed consent must also be gained before sharing this data with JCP. Appropriate consent forms etc. will be provided. |
| Personal data | • Name • National Insurance Number • Date of birth • Gender • Postcode • Date support starts and ends |
| Performance Data | Provide monthly reports on performance against agreed outcomes, targets and indicators. Grant payments will be conditional on receipt of satisfactory reports. |
| Monitoring and Evaluation Data | Assist with the development of standardised, robust monitoring and evaluation tools and once agreed complete and maintain these in order to track progress and provide information for future planning and insight. Provide ‘good news’ stories to share with DWP and Job Centre Plus. |
| Financial Reporting and Payments | Payment will be made monthly in arrears based on satisfactory submission of agreed activity and financial monitoring, and a suitable invoice |
| Outcomes for individuals | Clients will be progressed from and exit the project when they achieve one or more of the outputs listed below. 70% of clients who engage/start the project will achieve one or more outputs listed in the full downloadable specifications. |
| Deliver Provider Pre-requisites | As a minimum, providers submitting an expression of interest to deliver this project will need meet the essential criteria listed in the full specification. There is also a list of desirable delivery project criteria listed to further support your application. |
| Downloads | |
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| Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Flexible Support Grant Funding Project Specification (This information will open in a new window). | https://usercontent.one/wp/www.thevcsalliance.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/DWP-Project-Specification-FINAL.pdf |
| DWP – Flexible Support Fund Expression of interest Form (This form will download to desktop). | https://usercontent.one/wp/www.thevcsalliance.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Flexible-Support-Fund-EOI-form-FINAL.docx |
To be considered as a delivery partner, please complete and return this Expression of Interest document by email to info@thevcsalliance.org.uk by no later than 5pm on Monday 6th June 2022.
