1. Focus Ireland EmployMENTFOCUS A Homelessness prevention Service

2. 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.

3. 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%

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

5. 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

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

7. 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.

8. 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

9. Job Seeker Journey

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.