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Name: Lindsey Harman Date: 1 st May 2013. Flexible Support Fund ‘Making a Difference’. What is the Flexible Support Fund?. Introduced in 2011 - an amalgamation of former targeted budgets.
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Name: Lindsey Harman Date: 1st May 2013 Flexible Support Fund‘Making a Difference’
What is the Flexible Support Fund? • Introduced in 2011 - an amalgamation of former targeted budgets. • Strictly pre-Work Programme funding. All claimants not in the Work Programme or Work Choice, are eligible for support from the fund. • Provides for flexible delivery and used to support the needs of individuals, the locality and the prevailing local labour market. • Tackles worklessness and barriers to unemployment holistically. • Discretionary use – but must support core DWP core objectives. • District Managers may use Flexible Support Fund money to provide support for local partnership working.
How is it used? Some examples of the use of Flexible Support Fund include; • Meeting one off claimant needs – e.g. travel to interview costs. • Paying for training or certification not available through contracted or partner provision. • Paying for adaptations to help a disabled claimant access work placements. • Adult or child care to enable a claimant to undertake training, attend interviews or start work. • Support for Partnership activity as determined locally.
Determing eligibility for an award • All awards must be reasonable and represent good value for money. • All other possible sources of funding must have been explored first. Our District Provision Tool shows what is already available. • All awards must have the expected positive outcome of moving the customer into work sooner than would otherwise be possible. • One off training can be brought - but only when it is determined that no other contracted or non-contracted training is available. • If training is to be paid for and undertaken, it must be completed before the individual would join the Work Programme.
Flexible Support Fund (FSF) in Action • Mark from Birmingham, a homeless, ex-serviceman, got Health and Safety training paid by FSF which led to full time security employment. • In Cumbria FSF funded bus warrants are given to those aged 18-24 for job interview attendance in their first month of unemployment. • In Crewe and Northwich FSF supports a course for individuals with multiple problems relating to drug use. • Siobhan from rural Northamptonshire received an FSF funded bicycle that enabled her to secure and hold down employment. • FSF monies are used as co-funding with the Salvation Army in Wessex to provide an employment routeway for the homeless.
Flexible Support Fund (FSF) in Action • In South East Wales FSF monies are used as co-funding with Oxfam to enable a project to get lone parent ethnic minorities in to work. • FSF bought Michelle from East Ayrshire some interview clothes. She was successful at that job interview and started full time work. • In Tameside FSF money is used as co-funding to provide a project for ex-offenders supporting them into employment and training. • Michael from Telford received FSF funding for interview clothes and some appropriate attire when he started full time work. • In Lowestoft FSF co-funds a course for ESA / IB claimants with mental health and substance abuse issues which helps them to find work.
Flexible Support Fund (FSF) in Action • In London a partnership grant supported 120 pre-Work Programme young NEET [16-24] claimants at risk of becoming gang members, those with drug and sexual health issues and also single parents. • Provided just under 4K London customers affected by the Benefit cap with specifically designed modules to help re engage with the labour market • Louis who had a history of violence was supported by his adviser and a FSF funded programme. Heis currently studying for his Maths and English GCSEs. • Contributed to partnerships through Community Budgets.
