Working for Families - Inverclyde Policy and Practice
Economic Overview Resident Population82,400 % Scotland Working Age population50, Males25, Females24, Scotland Economically Active36, Employed33, Unemployed (including JSA)2, Scotland Economically inactive13, Wanting a job4, Not wanting a job9,
Economic Overview (cont.) Qualifications: Working Age % Scotland NVQ NVQ3+23, NVQ2+31, NVQ1+36, Other3, None10, Average Earnings Inverclyde Scotland Full-time Workers Earnings by Workplace Full-time Workers
Our Community Significant progress made following decline of traditional industry, but certain issues remain: Population decline; ageing population High levels of unemployment and economic inactivity Historically low levels of educational attainment Poor health Issues around drugs dependency and alcoholism Poverty and deprivation remain a fact of life for many - 33% of Inverclyde’s population live in neighbourhoods recorded as being among the most deprived in Scotland
Target Groups 8,615 Lone Parent Families with dependent children (24% of all households) Over 40% of all JSA/Income Support/Tax Credit claimants live in just six electoral wards Port Glasgow East; Gibshill/Blairmore; Greenock East Central; Ladyburn/Bridgend; Larkfield; Clune Brae/Devol
Target Groups 10% population unpaid carers; 10% permanently sick/disabled. Approximately 500 people entering treatment for drug misuse each year. 20% of discharges from psychiatric hospitals have diagnoses of alcohol dependence. These client groups harder to reach and furthest from labour market
Inverclyde WFF Model
Community Listening Client centred with a range of referral options It is also clear that significant personal support is offered to less confident clients. In these circumstances, considerable work is undertaken on a one-to-one basis before accompanying the client to another Working for Families project. A vital first step towards addressing a number of barriers to employment in relation to skill levels, childcare, literacy and numeracy, transportation, and financial problems. Clients have been successfully challenged as well as supported
Keyworkers – A Key Role Quality of assessment Identification of barriers Identification of action plan Continuity Aftercare
Childcare Services To what extent does childcare act as a barrier to employment? What needs to be put in place in order to create a flexible and affordable childcare network? What are the views of employers in relation to employees with childcare needs?
Support Services What residual barriers to employment are preventing clients from accessing work? Travel and Transport Financial Exclusion and Benefits trap Employment patterns and self employment Basic Skills Core Skills
Gaps in Services Childcare – general Childcare – geographical Childcare – flexibility Aftercare Employer liaison Client tracking
Initial WFF Clients 76.9% are Lone Parents 69.9% have more than one child; 43.6% have children under three years old 48.7% receive Income Support Under-represented groups: Male Lone Parents; People with Drug/Alcohol problems Disproportionate number of early residents from Port Glasgow East
Meeting Targets Total Number Of Clients: 724 Clients Currently Active: 448 Client Categories:-Low Income: 270 -Additional Stress: 76 -One Parents:486 -No Category: 20 Outcomes: -Into Work (FT): 38 -PT (29-16hrs): 30 -Self Employment: 4 -PT (<16hrs): 52 -Education: 167
Client Experiences Positive evaluation from feedback Higher and further education Rapid response Unit Special Needs children and adults
A Way Forward Eradicating Child Poverty – An achievable target? How can this be achieved? How can this be delivered?