Focus Ireland EmployMENTFOCUS A Homelessness prevention Service

Homelessness in Ireland Over 6,709 people experiencing homelessness in Ireland Including 2,426 children While the problem is concentrated in Dublin, people are experiencing homelessness across the country 222 people are homeless in Limerick 211 people are homeless in Cork 147 people are homeless in Galway 736 families have become homeless in Dublin in the first 9 months of this year, including 1389 children. Of adults experiencing homelessness, 690 are aged between 18 and 24. 42% of those experiencing homelessness are women, compared to 58% men.

The Labour Market: CSO Data The monthly unemployment rate is decreasing: September 2015 = 9.1% August 2016 = 8.2% September 2016 = 7.9% The youth unemployment rate is considerably higher: 15.9% in September 2016 The unemployment rates for men and women differ: Men = 9.2% Women = 6.4%

Why we set up EmploymentFocus Homelessness Prevention Changing profile of people needing Focus Ireland services Impact of the recession and continued austerity People losing their home due to huge rent increases, job loss – finding a home becomes the number one priority, looking for a job goes down the list

Why we set up EmploymentFocus The final pieces of the jigsaw: Entering the labour market Financial security Increased confidence Part of the community Reduced risk of homelessness

Our Job Seekers Two distinct groups Unemployed with experience Unemployed without experience 18 – 21 year olds coming through Aftercare Services Common goal – paid employment

How we do it Registered recruitment agency Establish a relationship with hiring companies Assess an employer’s needs Conduct initial screening, training and job seeker induction Match employers with job seeker candidates according to skills and experience Provide on-going support to both employer and employee.

How we do it Some of the organisations we work with: Topaz - Retail Musgraves/SuperValu - Retail EuroSales – Office Admin and Cleaning Mazars – HR Admin and Accountancy Country Crest – General Operative Achievers Resource Solutions–Operations Support

Job Seeker Journey

The Benefits Financial independence No longer dependent on social welfare Positive impact on health and well being Reduced risk of homelessness “For the first time in five years we can sit with the kids and plan for a holiday as I have cleared my debt.” David at CountryCrest

The Challenges Getting to the business decision maker quickly Length of time it takes from the initial “Yes, we are interested” to real jobs General public and employer’s perception of a Focus Ireland customer Job Seeker not having a reference Very difficult to break the unemployment cycle The longer someone is out of work, the harder it is to get back into the work force – a perception that it is the job seeker’s fault Lack of work experience The 18 – 21 year age range – without network connections delay getting the first step on the job ladder Impact of homelessness on a job seeker: the stigma, lack of confidence

From the Business Perspective Achievers Resource Solutions Long background in business Recruitment Company Owner Effective relationship management Effective messaging Like for like candidate searches for companies E.G. Mazars and Retail Assistant Engaging with the business community in a partnership approach.