the ersa employability award winners 2020

The ERSA Employability Award Winners 2020

Congratulation to all finalists, those highly

commended and of course our 2020 winners!

The ERSA Team

[email protected]

Frontline Adviser of The Year, sponsored by The Digital CollegeRecognising an employment adviser who has demonstrated exceptional commitment in a frontline role.

The Finalists

•Abigail Johnstone, Novus

•Amanda Andrews, Right2Work, nominated by G4S

•Andrew Herdman, Papworth Trust

•Charlotte Edwards, Futureworks, Pembrokeshire County Council

•Chris Chapman, Sheffield Futures

•Faisal Ahmad, Renaisi

•Gill Tollitt, VOLA Merseyside

•Kayle Hope,North East Autism Society, nominated by Moving On Tyne & Wear

•Mairead Whitty, Ingeus UK

•Michael Kebir, Fedcap Scotland

•Neil Philp, Fedcap Scotland

•Phillip Henderson, Get Set UK

•Robeina Mustafa, Sheffield Futures

•Shirley Blackledge, Groundwork

•Sandra, Vison Products

•And the winner is…

Winner: Gill Tollitt, VOLA MerseysideInclude-IT Mersey is a Digital Inclusion project funded by the National Lottery Community

Fund and ESF to support workless people in the Liverpool City Region to learn essential IT

skills to help them get into or closer to work. For the IT-Mersey team, amongst the other

amazing tutors on this project, Gill stands out! Gill does exceptional work that is creative,

flexible and innovative, but most importantly, she consistently goes the extra mile. Gill has

come through some tough times in her personal life in recent years, yet in the face of this has

become an outstanding tutor who really understands the issues customers face and genuinely

wants to help people not just get on in life, but improve the quality of their life in the process.

‘There’s a Judge in the Wirral that thinks Gill’s course is so beneficial to

people that she is telling them to attend as part of their sentence!’

ERSA’s Frontline Adviser of the Year 2020#ERSAAwards20

Also highly commended Frontline Advisers 2020

Highly commended#ERSAAwards20

Kayle Hope - North East Autism Society, nominated by Moving On Tyne & Wear

Phillip Henderson - Get Set UK

Sandra Davies - Vison Products

NEW: Frontline Manager of The Year, sponsored by Triangle, creators of Outcomes StarRecognising a front-line manager or team leader who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to leading their

frontline team to excellent performance and customer achievements.

The Finalists

• Lorna Beaton, Fedcap Scotland

• Julia Marcus, London Borough of Camden Council

• Anne Higgins, Musselburgh Job Centre, nominated by Triage Central

• Lesley Wood, Stockton Job Centre, nominated by Triage Central

• Ben Wyse, SPS training Solutions

ERSA’s Frontline Manager of the Year Finalists#ERSAAwards20

And the winner is…

ERSA’s Frontline Manager of the Year 2020#ERSAAwards20

Winner: Julia Marcus, London Borough of Camden Council

Julia has supported hundreds of residents into work in Camden, with a personal and

committed style that has had a significant impact on local people. Julia has taken that

experience and developed new ways of supporting residents into good work, using her

experience and strategic nous to lead exceptional services. Julia worked with Camden

Council to develop the Somers Town Job Hub, a service that connects residents, services and

employers around a shared mission to address long-term unemployment. The ‘hub model’

that Julia delivered in Somers Town has since provided a foundation for Good Work Camden,

the borough’s new approach to employment support. Julia, now a Job Hub Lead at Camden

Council, is playing a key role – reminding us to involve the community in the design of the

service and to stick to our values; accessible for all, relational and unswerving.

Also highly commended Frontline Manager of the Year 2020


Lorna Beaton, Fedcap Scotland

Lesley Wood, Stockton Job Centre, nominated by Triage Central

Team of The Year, sponsored by Leeds University Business SchoolRecognising a team of frontline staff which has demonstrated outstanding commitment in meeting and exceeding the delivery aims of an employment provider.

The Finalists

In recognition of the extraordinary efforts teams have made to

continue and extend delivery through current times, the following

longlist of colleagues were all deemed worthy of progression to

final judging stage.

Go Teams!

Team of the Year 2020

#ERSAAwards20

• Catch22 Employability Team

• Positive Steps into Work Service, Blackpool Council, nominated by G4S

• Work Routes, Seetec Pluss

• West Lothian Council, Supported Employment Service

• Working Well WHP’s Health and Wellbeing Team, Ingeus UK

• Work Better, Together Housing

• Unity Works Employment Team

• Include-IT Mersey, VOLA Consortium

• BBO Project Team, URPotential

• Building Bridges, Community First

• Fusion, Building Better Opportunities

• Project Apollo, Sheffield Futures

• The Employer Engagement Team, Bolton College

• The Belina GRoW Team, nominated by G4S

• Standguide Mental Health Team

• Projects Team:Positive Progressions, Craven College

• The Brent Employment Services Team, Brent Council

• Hereford Individual and Placement Support (HIPS) team, Landau

• Step Forward, My Sisters’ House

• The Peer Circle Team, St Giles Trust

• Working West London Team, ELATT

• Supported Employment Service, West Lothian Council

• HeadsUp Project, Enable East

• ‘All About Me’ Team, Aspire Sussex

• The Tackling Multiple Disadvantage (TMD) Team, Crisis

• Genius Within WaHP Team

• Enable Team

• Leicestershire Cares Team

• Radian Employment Support Team (EST)

Some of our finalists#ERSAAwards20

And the winners are…

Joint Winner: Building Bridges Team.

ERSA’s Team of the Year 2020#ERSAAwards20

The Building Bridges programme runs locally in Swindon and Wiltshire with a dedicated

cross-sector team who’s focus is on supporting those furthest from the labour market who

are unemployed or economically inactive and facing multiple, complex challenges and

barriers in accessing the skills development, education and/or experience they need to be

able to achieve and sustain ongoing employment. The entire team, incorporating the lead

team, partner organisations and key support workers all work collaboratively on a day to day

basis to ensure that the participants can access the support that they need to meet their

individual goals and aspirations and engage with their wider circles of support to do so. As a

result of this person-centred collaborative approach, the team are able evidence the many

positive outcomes achieved.

“I know that it isn’t going

to be a straight line for me

and I definitely have my

good days and bad days,

but I’m in a different place

to where I was a year ago

and that’s thanks to

Building Bridges.”

Joint Winner: Include-IT Mersey Team, VOLA Consortium.

ERSA’s Team of the Year 2020#ERSAAwards20

Include-IT Mersey is a Digital Inclusion project funded by the National Lottery

Community Fund and ESF to support digitally excluded, workless people in the

Liverpool City Region to learn essential IT skills to help them get into or closer to

work. Established in 2017, the project helps people to improve basic ICT and online

skills, confidence and access to digital technologies, with the ultimate aim of

supporting progression towards employment or further training, helping those

furthest from the labour market to become more job-ready. Led by Sefton CVS in

partnership with VOLA Consortium and 14 other not-for-profit providers, the

project has supported 1,299 socially and digitally excluded residents to upskill and

move on in life in a more positive direction. Supported by a 48 strong project

team, to date, 563 participants have progressed to work, further training or active

job search, with 174 currently on programme, surpassing total project targets.

- A Strong Culture of Partnership Working

- Very strong project management and governance arrangements

Also highly commended Team of the Year 2020


Project Apollo, Sheffield Futures

Unity Works Employment Team

Positive Progressions Team, Craven College

NEW: Jobcentre of The Year, sponsored by SETASRecognising a Jobcentre Plus office that has demonstrated exceptional commitment in partnering with

providers in their area, supporting disadvantaged and long-term unemployed jobseekers.

The Finalists

• Burnley Jobcentre Plus, nominated by Ingeus UK

• Preston Jobcentre Plus, nominated by Ingeus UK

• Wigan Jobcentre Plus, nominated by Ingeus UK

• Redhill Jobcentre Plus, nominated by Surrey Choices

• Washwood Heath, Birmingham Jobcentre Plus, nominated by DRC

• Canning Town Jobcentre Plus, nominated by Belina Consulting

ERSA’s Jobcentre of the Year 2020 Finalists#ERSAAwards20

And the winners are…

Joint Winner: Canning Town Jobcentre Plus, nominated by Belina Consulting

ERSA’s Jobcentre of the Year 2020#ERSAAwards20

Belina understands that when you start working in a new area, a key organisation you want to influence is the Jobcentre.

Belina support mothers with complex needs get back to work. As a specialist organisation it can sometimes be difficult to

find the right person, but as soon as we were put in contact with Canning Town Jobcentre, we knew that we were

working with a team that had a clearly thought through strategy for supporting women get back to work. It was also

evident that their approach was successful in reaching out to women in the whole community and the full range of

organisations required to support them.

Joint Winner: Washwood Heath, Birmingham Jobcentre Plus, nominated by

Disability Resource Centre

ERSA’s Jobcentre of the Year 2020#ERSAAwards20

Members of the JCP team, particularly David Holmes, recently retired, have been attending Birmingham Disability

Resource Centre (DRC) each week for over 15 years. The team support disabled people who are unemployed to get back

into the employment market, overcoming barriers with clients, sitting with them, job searching with them, preparing

them for interviews, and selecting vacancies that are suitable to them. Jobcentre Plus Washwood Heath has referred

numerous disabled clients to us so we can provide enhanced support in self-confidence, self-esteem, IT, budgeting, advice

and guidance, social activities and health and wellbeing activities. The Job Centre has always gone above and beyond in

supporting DRC’s projects and utilising services to support client’s barriers. DRC in partnership with Washwood Heath JCP

held a Disability Confident event to raise awareness with Employers and disabled people.

Disability and Health Provider, sponsored by ICONI SoftwareRecognising an employment services provider who has demonstrated exceptional commitment in supporting

jobseekers with disabilities and health conditions to achieve sustained employment.

The Finalists

• Essex County Council, nominated by Genius Within CIC

• Ideal for All

• Autism Plus

• Let’s Get Working Project, Social Enterprise Kent

ERSA’s Disability and Health Provider 2020 Finalists#ERSAAwards20

Winner: Ideal for All

ERSA’s Disability and Health Provider 2020#ERSAAwards20

Ideal for All are a pioneering Disabled people’s user-led charity and not-for-profit social

enterprise based in Sandwell, West Midlands, supporting 25,000 people since 1996. Co-

producing services with local people, they encourage and enable disabled people and those

in need of support to gain sustained meaningful employment, increase their employability

and develop skills towards the world of work. Working with those furthest from the jobs

market Ideal for All deliver a range of integrated ‘wrap around’ support to foster positive

health and mental wellbeing and help people to progress to a range of interlinked outcomes

and impact by looking at the whole person and their wider needs. Working together is

their point of difference. Their socially enterprising horticultural activities aligned with

specialist employment support and person-centred approaches not only benefit the people

that use the services but the local community - making life better for all.

‘Signing onto this programme has really

changed my life, I have found the

perfect job which I will really enjoy. Can’t

wait to get suck in outdoors, no more

staring at four walls at home’ Paul

Youth Employment Provider, sponsored by Get Set UKRecognising an employment services provider who has demonstrated exceptional commitment in delivering

employment services for young adults.

The Finalists

• ELITE Supported Employment Agency

• London Zoo - Zoological Society of London, nominated by Unity Works

• IN2 Programme, Landau

• The Prince’s Trust

• Whitehead Ross Education and Consulting

• Reform Radio

ERSA’s Youth Employment Provider 2020 - Finalists#ERSAAwards20

Winner: The Prince’s Trust

ERSA’s Youth Employment Provider 2020#ERSAAwards20

The Prince’s Trust works in partnership with NHS Scotland to expand opportunities for

sustainable youth employment within the health service, supporting the recruitment

and retention of entry level clinical, social care, and non-clinical roles. Since October

2018, The Trust have helped unlock young talent, many of whom never felt confident

enough or believed they had the necessary skills or qualifications to apply for a job with

the NHS, to provide accessible employability pathways into the health service that will

ultimately support the sustainability of the NHS workforce.

“The programme has

changed my life

completely. I’ve regained

my confidence with all

the help and guidance

that I’ve received from

The Prince’s Trust. My

plan now is to apply for a

permanent job within the

NHS.”

Also highly commended in this category

London Zoo - Zoological Society of London, nominated by Unity Works

ERSA’s Youth Employment Provider 2020#ERSAAwards20

NEW: Offender Related Services Provider, sponsored by Successful MumsRecognising an employment services provider who has demonstrated exceptional commitment in delivering services

for individuals who have been in contact with the Criminal Justice System.

The Finalists

• Essex County Council, nominated by Genius Within CIC

• Ideal for All

• Autism Plus

• Let’s Get Working Project, Social Enterprise Kent

ERSA’s Offender Related Services Provider 2020 Finalists#ERSAAwards20

Winner: PLIAS Resettlement, Nominated by G4S

ERSA’s Offender Related Services Provider 2020#ERSAAwards20

PLIAS Resettlement cares. To care means you provide what is necessary for the health,

welfare, maintenance, and protection of someone. You do this with serious attention

and consideration because you want to provide a service correctly to avoid any further

damage or risk to an individual’s life. PLIAS Resettlement care about improving Service

User’s life chances and future prospects.’ Based in the London borough of Brent, PLIAS

Resettlement supports people through the gate returning to the boroughs across West

London. They on average engage with over 2,000 offenders each year providing

caseload 1:1 support to enable offenders to find and remain in work and to reintegrate

and resettle them into their community.

"Referred from Brent Mental Health Trust. I was able to get support with applying for PIP, CV, Cover letter, job searching

and interview techniques. Through this support I was able to secure a job which

was part time and was offered my desired hours. Brent Mental Health Trust but

caseloads were too large so I got referred to Courtney.

Much more intensive support specific to helping me get

back I to work. I was out of work for a long time."


• Whitehead Ross Education and Consulting (WREC)

• The Forward Trust

Supply Chain Partner of The Year, sponsored by Do IT SolutionsRecognising excellence as a delivery partner in the field of employment support.

The Finalists

•Business 2 Business, nominated by Fedcap Employment

•Case UK, nominated by Ingeus UK

•The Papworth Trust, nominated by Genius Within CIC

•Action West London, nominated by G4S

•Get Set UK, nominated by G4S

•Seetec Pluss, nominated by Reed in Partnership

ERSA’s Supply Chain Partner of the Year 2020 - Finalists#ERSAAwards20

Winner: Action West London, nominated by G4S

ERSA’s Supply Chain Partner of the Year 2020#ERSAAwards20

AWL provide end to end holistic support for unemployed people, working

collaboratively with training providers and community networks. Their team build trust

through their abilities and belief in their customers. They communicate and connect

through active listening to their customers’ hopes and concerns. They are dependable

throughout customers’ challenges and are a constant in a world where there are not

many constants. AWL have successfully adapted to meet market needs over the last 21

years. Their outstanding performance has resulted in an increase of their market share

from 13% to 47%. Strong robust partnerships and involvement in strategic boards

ensure that AWL has a voice in improving the lives of West London residents.


Business 2 Business, nominated by Fedcap Employment

Case UK, nominated by Ingeus UK

ERSA’s Supply Chain Partner 2020#ERSAAwards20

Significant Achiever of The Year, sponsored by Fedcap Employment

Recognising a specific jobseeker who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to overcoming barriers to enter

and maintain work.

The Finalists

ERSA’s Significant Achiever of the Year 2020 - Finalists#ERSAAwards20

• Stephen, nominated by Pentreath Ltd

• Pat, nominated by Moving On Tyne & Wear

• Ashleigh, nominated by Better Jobs, Better Futures (Gower College Swansea)

• Julie, Fedcap Employment

• Claire, nominated by Recro Consulting

• Jazmin, Fedcap Scotland

• Nataya Tamara Davies, nominated by Better Jobs, Better Futures (Gower College Swansea)

Winner: Claire, Recro Consulting

ERSA’s Significant Achiever of the Year 2020#ERSAAwards20

Claire was a single parent in her 30s who had never worked. An ex offender and a victim of domestic

violence, she wasn’t getting near the retail jobs she was being encouraged to apply for. After attending

a presentation for The Life You Want © at her local job centre, she told Recro, “I really need this and I

really want this”. Together they discovered SEN (special educational needs) was her passion. Recro reset

her self-belief and self-worth and with her increased confidence, Claire agreed with Recro’s suggested

approach which meant fronting up on her conviction. They secured her work experience at a school.

They really liked her so gave her some paid work as well. Then gave her a part time job. Then full time.


• Stephen, nominated by Pentreath Ltd

• Pat, nominated by Moving On Tyne & Wear

• Ashleigh, nominated by Better Jobs, Better Futures (Gower College Swansea)

• Julie, Fedcap Employment

• Jazmin, Fedcap Scotland

• Nataya Tamara Davies, nominated by Better Jobs, Better Futures (Gower College Swansea)

ERSA’s Significant Achiever of the Year 2020 – highly commended#ERSAAwards20

NEW: Housing Provider, sponsored by CognisoftRecognising a Housing Provider who has demonstrated exceptional commitment in delivering services for their

residents, particularly regarding employment support.

The Finalists

•Acis Group

•Aspire Housing

ERSA’s Housing Provider 2020 Finalists#ERSAAwards20

Winner: Aspire Housing

ERSA’s Housing Provider 2020#ERSAAwards20

Aspire to Work is a life-changing service offering employability support to Aspire

Housing tenants. Aspire Housing were one of the first housing associations to offer this

service and the results are immense. Customers gain employment, no longer rely on

benefits, and notice increased levels of confidence, self-esteem, ambition and

wellbeing. It is a tailored customer training scheme that prepares our tenants with the

skills they need for sustainable employment, whilst offering vital housing and wellbeing

support. Aspire to Work aim to not only improve the quality of life for customers, but to

supply them with the tools to manage this independently. In 2019, the service

achieved an incredible 100% customer satisfaction rating.

Aspire Housing customer Joanne now has a job

with Halfords as a result of support through Aspire to Work. She has been in

her new role for over a year and enjoys the

independence.

Employer of The Year, sponsored by Genius Within CIC

Recognising an employer who has demonstrated exceptional commitment in creating opportunities for

disadvantaged and long-term unemployed jobseekers.

The Finalists

ERSA’s Employer of the Year 2020 - Finalists#ERSAAwards20

•Barts Health NHS Trust

•Battersea Academy for Skills & Employment

•Greene King

•Excaliber Security Services Limited, nominated by Papworth Trust

•Horsham District Council, nominated by SETAS

Winner: Excaliber Security Services Limited, nominated by Papworth Trust

ERSA’s Employer of the Year 2020#ERSAAwards20

David Ralph started Excaliber Security Services Limited in 2017, with a different thinking

to other security companies. He is very passionate about his beliefs that everyone

deserves a chance and wanted to establish a company not only focusing on the needs

of their customers, but also a company that truly care about their staff. David’s

philosophy on recruitment is based on candidate’s heart and morals rather than

previous experience – it is more about what they can achieve with additional help and

support. David is not concerned if a candidate has a disability or has been unemployed

for a long time because he understands that all people need an opportunity. He spends

time with each employee and identifies where they will be best placed and how to best

support them. David has worked with Papworth Trust since June 2019 and in that time,

working together they have achieved 19 job starts.


Barts Health NHS Trust

ERSA’s Employer of the Year 2020 – highly commended#ERSAAwards20

Outstanding Contribution to the Sector Achiever, sponsored by Clarion Futures

Recognising an exceptional individual who has dedicated a significant part of their career to the employment

related services sector and has made a notable impact on the wider sector.

the ersa employability award winners 2020

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