TACKLING WORKLESSNESS

Neighbourhoods Director

Steve Mather

Places for People Group

• Large management and development company

• 60,000 homes

• Range of interventions

− Affordable Childcare

− Older People’s Support

− Flexible Financial Services

− Skills & Employability

Why are we involved ?

• 64% of customers receive state benefits

• 55% of customers who could work don’t

• 47% of households with no one working

• 33% hold no qualifications

• 13% have never had a paid job• GM Skills Survey 2005

The “Business Case”

• Creates employment

• Raises aspirations

• Increases incomes and wealth retention

• Supports tenure choice

• Impacts upon wider issues - ASB; educational attainment, etc.

• Promotes long term sustainability of neighbourhoods

What is our role?

• Direct deliverer

• Facilitator

• Partnership leader

• Community investor

• Housing provider

• Developer

• Employer

Our Experience

• Opportunistic

• Grant driven

• Experience and track record

• Evaluate and replicate “what works”

• Build the “Business Case”

• Mainstream

• Business Opportunity ?

Our Delivery

• Homework Apprentice

• AKABA

• Working Rite

• Firm Foundations

• Enterprising Communities

• Places for Children

• Building Links ILM

Our achievements

• 5,987 accessing services

• 1277 placed into employment

• 2301 accessing learning

• 1399 accessing self employment awareness

• 245 New business start ups

• 836 existing businesses supported

Our Approach

• Cannot tackle “worklessness” in isolation

• Integrated “Neighbourhood Planning” methodology

• Aligning housing management & economic development

• Shared agenda

• Economic development Strategy

Challenges

• Addressing concentrations of “worklessness”

• Tackling “mono tenure” neighbourhoods / promoting tenure choice

• Removing disincentives – e.g. tax and benefits

• Removing individuals barriers to work

• Welfare to Work / Flexible New Deal

• Economy / Credit Crunch