Title
Contents
Acknowledgements 7
The Authors 8
Summary 9
1. Introduction 16
1.1 The current research 16
1.1.1 Next Steps test bed Regional Pilots 17
1.1.2 Exit to Work 17
1.1.3 ACE Pilots 18
1.2 Aims and objectives of the current research 18
1.3 Research methodology 19
1.4 Structure of this report 19
2. Transition to employment for the socially excluded 20
2.1 Beneficiary characteristics and circumstances 20
2.1.1 Key common features 20
2.1.2 Implications for employability and employment 23
2.2 Engagement with support agencies 25
2.2.1 Demand-side problems 25
2.2.2 Supply-side problems 26
2.3 External factors 29
2.4 Summary 30
3. How the Pilots addressed the transitions 33
3.1 Working directly with individuals 33
3.1.1 Provision of high levels of personal support 33
3.1.2 Assistance with system navigation 34
3.1.3 Resolving and containing factors constraining employability 34
3.1.4 Pre-employment training and other transitional moves towards employment 34
3.2 Re-engineering provision 35
3.2.1 Improving working links between key agencies and procedures 35
3.2.2 Building a new emphasis on employability and skills in prisons and probation 36
3.2.3 Engaging employers 36
3.3 Working with employers 37
3.3.1 Job-brokering activities 37
3.3.2 Employer engagement strategies 38
3.3.3 Partnership working 38
3.4 Summary 39
4. What works 41
4.1 Working with individuals 41
4.1.1 Having the right delivery organisations 41
4.1.2 Having sufficient run time for the Pilot 42
4.1.3 Effective partnership working 42
4.2 Re-engineering provision 43
4.2.1 Strong regional partnerships 43
4.2.2 Utilising existing infrastructures and provision 43
4.2.3 Learning about how other key agencies work around skills and employment support 44
4.2.4 The role of ICT in expanding learning provision 44
4.3 Working with employers 44
4.3.1 Capacity building 45
4.3.2 Working flexibly within existing infrastructures 45
4.3.3 Sharpening employer-led focus of existing skills and employment provision 45
4.3.4 Linking employers to prison/probation services 46
4.4 Summary 46
5. Constraints and problems 48
5.1 Working with individuals 48
5.1.1 Client-centred approaches 48
5.1.2 Small scale and lack of resources 49
5.1.3 Relationship with Jobcentre Plus 49
5.1.4 Lack of ongoing support after job entry 50
5.2 Re-engineering provision 50
5.2.1 Low level of pilot funding 50
5.2.2 Data sharing and tracking the offender journey 50
5.2.3 Employer engagement as a contested area 51
5.2.4 Conflicting organisational priorities 51
5.2.5 Transferability of good practice to other regions 52
5.2.6 Addressing the needs of the wider offender population 52
5.3 Working with employers 52
5.3.1 Small scale and lack of capacity 52
5.3.2 Lack of clarity about pilot objectives 53
5.3.3 Lack of initial consultation with key partners 53
5.3.4 Problems with technical support 53
5.3.5 Poor quality of job preparation for offenders 54
5.3.6 Difficulties with data sharing 54
5.3.7 Conflicts of interest with other agencies 54
5.3.8 Relationship with Jobcentre Plus 55
5.4 Summary 55
5.4.1 Pilot-specific constraints 55
5.4.2 Constraints relating to the nature of the beneficiary group 55
5.4.3 Constraints arising from the broader institutional and cultural context of the Pilots 56
6. Conclusion 57
6.1 Beneficiaries facing severe, varied and multiple constraints on employment 57
6.2 Need for pre-employment support and stabilisation 58
6.3 Low caseloading/high cost 59
6.4 Multiple constraints, varied provision 59
6.5 Making collaborative provision and onwards referral work effectively 60
6.6 Data sharing and tracking the clients' journeys 62
6.7 Constructive approaches to employer engagement 62
6.8 Limitations of small-scale, short-term Pilots 64
6.9 Selectivity and employment outcomes 65
6.10 Sustainability in employment 66
6.11 Replicability/scalability 67
6.12 Summary 68
Appendix A - Adults facing chronic exclusion: The ACE Pilots 71
A.1 Pilot aims and objectives 71
A.2 Implementation and delivery 72
A.3 Experience to date 79
Appendix B - The Next Steps test bed Regional Pilots 88
B.1 Pilot objectives and activities 88
B.2 Test bed implementation 89
B.3 Test bed activities 93
B.4 Constraints experienced 100
B.5 Lessons 102
Appendix C - Exit to Work Pilot 105
C.1 Introduction 105
C.2 Background to the Pilot 106
C.3 Pilot aims and the Job Developer role 106
C.4 Implementation of the Pilot 107
C.5 Main pilot activities and outcomes 110
C.6 Key lessons from the Pilot 120
C.7 Conclusion 122
Table A.1 Progression through work environments 85
Table B.1 Summary of key test bed activities across the two regions 93
Table C.1 Employer engagement and job entries, July 2007-January 2008 111
Table C.2 Employer engagement and job entries 112
Table C.3 Inwards referrals to the Job Developers 113
Figure B.1 Mapping skills and employment options for offenders in custody 96