Ross Brown, Contract Manager at Opportunity Sheffield, welcomed guests to the Autumn/Winter Teacake Club meeting, hosted by Autism Plus on Friday 24 November 2023.
Speakers
Suzanne Eusman (Head of Specialist Employment Services), Autism Plus - about Autism Plus
Suzanne welcomed everybody to Autism Plus, and explained a bit about the service. Autism Plus work with the whole spectrum of neurodivergence, and Suzanne explained how things have changed a bit for them as a service post Covid. They have seen an increase in highly skilled individuals who, after being able to unmask during Covid, feel unable to go back to masking their neurodiversity in order to enter back into the workplace. We heard how Autism Plus supports individuals such as these to work with their employer and make adjustments to their working arrangements. We also heard about some of the programmes designed to support unemployed or economically inactive individuals into work, including via SCC employment contracts and a SEND Youth Hubs contract (16-24).
Autism Plus have just launched a new website, including a resources section which is available for anybody to access and use. We also heard about some of the work they have done to engage businesses to build awareness around neurodiversity and look at ways to create more inclusive recruitment practices.
John Powell (Partnerships Manager), Opportunity Sheffield - new UKSPF employment support contracts
John gave us an overview of new contracts that Opportunity Sheffield (SCC's Employment and Skills service) has commissioned under new UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) funding. He explained that these programmes have intentionally smaller targets in order for providers to focus on quality of delivery. John also outlined the range of provision on offer. Some contracts will focus on supporting targeted cohorts (ethnic minorities, care leavers, refugees & asylum seekers, homeless & ex offenders). Some will focus on health barriers (mental health & autism) and some will be more open employment support, with a particular focus on economically inactive individuals.
We also heard that Opportunity Sheffield has identified some remaining gaps in provision, and are looking to commission further support to ensure that some key groups are included (e.g. those with learning difficulties and disabilities, the Roma community). For a full list of commissioned activity, please see the meeting slides at the bottom of the review.
Josh Walters (Work Coach and DWP Childcare Champion), Department for Work and Pensions - available childcare support for claimants
Josh, a Work Coach and Childcare Champion for DWP, explained that if an individual is claiming benefits then they may qualify for childcare support from DWP. We heard that the DWP has had a drive to upskill work coaches with supporting individuals to access these claims, since the cost of childcare is often one of the biggest barriers to somebody returning to or entering into work. Josh explained that there are two ways to access the childcare support; upfront support and ongoing support. Upfront support sees DWP paying the first month of childcare directly to the provider if somebody is starting work or increasing their hours. Ongoing support (typically following on from upfront support) sees an individual report their childcare costs to DWP, with DWP covering up to 85% of payments via a claim back process .
This support is intended for those who are increasing hours or entering into work. A childcare provider must be Ofsted registered for an individual to be able to make the claim. Claimants can talk to their work coach to find out if they might be eligible.
Brad McAnearney (Targeted Interventions Co-ordinator), The Corner - introduction to the young people's drug and alcohol service
Brad introduced The Corner, Sheffield's young people's drug and alcohol service. The Corner support young people up to the age of 18 (sometimes slightly beyond that for a transition period) with substance abuse issues. We heard that this is a tailored, confidential, 1:1 service and is free to access for any young person struggling with substance misuse (not tobacco or nicotine as this is covered by Smoke Free Sheffield).
We heard about the harm reduction approach that staff at The Corner use, which seeks to educate and empower individuals rather than simply tell them not do engage in substance misuse. Through this, the hope is that if individuals are going to use, then they do it safely. Brad explained that equally, if a young person does want to quit at any point in their journey, then staff will support them with this as well. We were also told about complimentary work that happens with family support, as well as training delivered to professionals to better understand drug and alcohol misuse.
Ellen Grey (Project Officer), SCC Housing Efficiency Team - available support for creating warm homes
Ellen introduced some of the support available through the Warm Homes scheme, run through SCC's Housing Efficiency Team. She explained that there are two pathways for support; energy advice and grant funding.
For grant funding, individuals must be eligible and be able to cope with disruptive building works. She explained that there is a lot of support on offer for home owners or private tenants rather than for council tenants. The main schemes on offer are:
- HUG2: fully funded heat pumps, solar panels and insulation for homes without central heating. Those who are on means tested benefits are eligible, or with a combined income or £31,000 or less.
- Connected For Warmth: loft and cavity wall insulation. Most people are eligible for support.
- LEAP: free advice service including fully funded home visits for energy advice, freebies (e.g. lightbulbs), help identifying the cheapest energy tariff and advice on how to reduce the risk of mould and damp. Onwards referrals can be made from the service for boiler and white goods replacements.
Jonathan Richards, Business Sheffield - available support for individuals seeking to set up a business
Jonathan explained about the different branches of Business Sheffield and the support provided for both businesses and individuals looking to go into business. We heard that Sheffield was voted the best city to start a business in 2022, and that all of Business Sheffield's support for individuals wanting to start up on their own is free of charge.
We heard that Business Sheffield provide a diagnostic assessment for anybody looking to start a business to establish what support they would most benefit from. The team treat each application individually and, where individuals meet eligibility criteria, grants can be applied for. For example. businesses established within the last 12 months can apply for a grant of up to £1000 which doesn't require paying back. Business Sheffield will support individuals from the inception of an idea, and where the realisation is reached that self employment isn't right for somebody, the team also see this as a success and can refer on to further support where appropriate.
Sanjay Nijhawan, Shaw Trust - Working Win
Sanjay explained that Shaw Trust are the new providers delivering on the Working Win contract. Working Win is an employment support service for anybody experiencing health barriers to work. Sanjay told us that this could be support for individuals who are currently working, or those who are seeking work. The barriers could be physical or surrounding mental health, and the service is available to anybody over 18 who has access to public funds.
We heard that Shaw Trust use an IPS (individual placement support) model, providing bespoke, 1:1 support for individuals they are working with. Shaw Trust also provide continued support for those who do move into work, as well as those who are in work already. The service is South Yorkshire wide and, while they do not have a permanent location in Sheffield, is community based so that individuals can be met where they are comfortable.
Michael Jones, Sheffield Digital - Sheffield Apprenticeships app
Michael introduced the Sheffield Apprenticeships app, which was borne out of an online system he created to pull apprenticeship vacancies from the Government Find an Apprenticeship website and live tweet them daily. This has since been replicated on Facebook and Michael has worked with High Storrs school to test the app. The app lists only apprenticeship available in Sheffield so that all information is local, and collects consistent data on vacancies in the city.
In Brief:
Sarah from Reed in Partnership
Alison from Princes Trust
Isha from Princes Trust
Resources:
Teacake Club slides
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