Innovation Fund Round 2

£30 million in total, a minimum of £13 million to be spent on Round 2 Maximum project cost of £3 million, £8,200 per person Must avoid duplication between projects Key DWP objectives: Objective 1 – To deliver support to help young people who are disadvantaged, or at risk of disadvantage, helping them participate and succeed in education or training and thereby improve their employability, reducing their longer term dependency on benefits. Objective 2 - Test the extent to which we generate benefit savings, other wider fiscal and social benefits, and deliver Social Return on Investment. Objective 3 - Support the development of the social investment market, the capacity building of smaller delivery organisations and generate a credible evidence base which supports social investment arrangements.

Innovation Fund Round 2 DWP is particularly wanting to target the following cohorts: – NEET for 26 weeks or longer – Carers (own children/others) – Learning difficulty and or disability – Mental health issues – Pregnant teens – Family problems (family in Family Intervention Project, sibling in custody) – Gypsy, Roma and Travellers – Substance misusers – Homeless – Refugees – In care or care leavers Geographical coverage should focus on areas with the highest need. DWP specifically identify urban areas including Cardiff, Glasgow, Teesside, Merseyside, Kingston upon Hull, Southampton, Portsmouth). However will consider other areas as long as a strong argument.

Innovation Fund Round year olds – Stop persistent truancy – Improved behaviour at school – Achievement of first NQF Level 1 Qualification – Achievement of first NQF Level 2 Qualification year olds – Entry into sustained employment – 26 weeks – Entry into first employment with a training element (e.g. an Apprenticeship) – Achievement of first NQF Level 1 Qualification – Achievement of first NQF Level 2 Qualification – Completion of first NQF Level 3 Qualification – Successful completion of an ESOL course year olds – Completion of first NQF Level 3 Qualification/vocational qualifications – Entry into education at NQF 4 level – Entry into first employment with a training element (e.g. an Apprenticeship) – Entry into sustained employment – 26 weeks – Successful completion of an ESOL course

Innovation Fund Round 2 Round 2 prospectus issued – December 2011 First round applications due – January 2012 Second round applications due – May 2012 Contract award – July 2012

Proposed approach to Round 2 Basic EOI application process for partners (excluding those who applied through Round 1). Focus will be on proven track record of delivering sustainable outcomes to young people and willingness to work collaboratively and innovatively (demonstrated through past experience),. Working with partners to generate innovative ideas recognising that real innovation is more likely through a collaborative approach. This may include bringing multiple partners together where there is benefit. Stronger focus on capacity building of delivery bodies with support of FSI