Post on 14-Dec-2015
Giving a hand up rather than a handout
The right to work
Work is not just about economic independence:
• It is central to our identity• It plays an important role in our physical and mental
health
Being out of work affects your whole life
• Confidence and self-esteem suffer• Less likely to be an active and involved citizen• More likely to live in poor housing, be victim of
crime, be in poor physical health
Unemployment creates a vicious circle which leads to dependency and fewer opportunities to work
Tomorrow’s People
• Independent employment charity• Working nationally with unemployed people• Helping overcome barriers to getting a job• 25-year track record of success • Supported over 400,000 long-term unemployed
people on their journey back into work • Pre 2011: 97% of people helped were still working
after 3 months; 76% still in work after 12 months
Special focus on vulnerable young people
• Over 1 million young people in UK aged 16-24 classed as NEET
• Young people with no skills or qualifications face huge barriers to getting a job
• Not achieved effective transition from school into work
• Suffering from poverty of aspiration and poverty of determination
• Supporting young people into jobs or training or back into education, helps get their lives back on track
What do we do?
Young Peoples Services:
• Young People’s programmes – Working it Out (WIO), In2Work, Heathfield Works, Specialist Training and Think Forward
• Providing job opportunities for those most vulnerable
• Research through Praxis – in house research facility
• Piloting innovative solutions to other social issues
• Social Enterprise and trading activities
Working It Out
• 16-week programme centred around series of ‘Community Challenges’
• Practical work experience alongside life-management skills, confidence and motivation
• Programme encourages leadership, initiative and involvement among young people who have multiple barriers
• Programmes in London, Glasgow, Newcastle, Plymouth, Brighton, Maidstone and Liverpool .
Working It Out - Maidstone
• Operating since 2009• Engaged with 87 Young People • 67 Completers (77%)• 56 Outcomes (83%)• 27 into Employment• 15 into Further Education• 8 into Training• 6 into Volunteering
• Tomorrows People continues to work with those Young People who have not yet achieved a tangible outcome.
Strength of Tomorrow’s People
• Special concern for vulnerable young people who leave school without skills or qualifications.
• Experienced at breaking down barriers that seem insurmountable
• Giving a hand up rather than a handout to help young people get and keep a job
What we want to see for young people
• Much more focus on ensuring effective transition from school into work
• Build the best journey for each young person by:
- identifying much earlier those who are at risk of failing to make the transition.
- assess vulnerable children well in advance so a detailed action plan can be delivered within the school system
- personalise and plan the ‘journey’ with each young person to
make sure individual needs are properly met
- integrate each action plan into the school day, involving
specialist providers like Tomorrow’s People where appropriate
- NEVER LET ANYONE START THEIR JOURNEY ALONE