Housing Into Work

1. Housing Into Work

2. Background to Housing Into Work • The Housing Into work scheme created to tackle worklessnessin line with the Government’s welfare reforms as part of Wandsworth Borough Council’s aspiration agenda • Part of Wandsworth Borough’s employment and skills strategy • Wandsworth Borough Council’s aspiration agenda was created as a response to the 2011 disturbances • This pilot is a joint project with Viridian Housing and Wandle Housing who are contributing 6 properties to the 25 properties being offered scheme

3. How does it work?

4. Assessments • Each individual is interviewed by the Housing Into Work Liaison Officer • Individuals are required to provide detailed information • Interviews are designed to find out more about the person, their aspirations, experience and circumstance • Individuals are then sent questions about independent living and questions about what they expect to gain from the pilot

5. Action Plans and Aspirations • Once accepted on the scheme each participant follows an action plan detailing their actions and aspirations supported by coaching • Participants attend appointment fortnightly which also revolve around a coaching method to remind them of their objectives. • Action plans are created by the participant and involve timescales, achievements and encourage them to take ownership of their job search journey. • Depending on the individuals work readiness, they may be required to attend an employability partner such as SPEAR or the Princes Trust

6. Coaching + PMA + ASE=Employment • Coaching • Positive mental attitude • Actively seeking work • Results in employment • The results have shown that most participants that have secured employment have done this between 4-16 weeks

7. Challenges and Solutions • One of the earliest challenges we faced was the age bracket which was originally 18- 24. The feedback and responses indicated that this particular cohort were unable to participate in the pilot as a large percentage were in education. This was overcome by increasing the age range, it is currently 18 – 30. • Initially those that were employed part time were not eligible, this excluded a lot of individuals that would have otherwise been eligible. With changes to the DWP classification of part time work it was agreed that this group would be eligible for the scheme. • Another challenge was communication, although information was sent by post and follow up calls were made, there was a large percentage that were not contactable.

8. Success to date • 11 on pilot scheme so far • 6 have found employment in 4 month period • 1 in new home with a further 2 getting keys in next few weeks • Sent information to a further 400 households

9. Case study • Georgia • Aged 21 • No previous work experience • Attended JCP • Began scheme in June 2013 • Secured apprenticeship in September 2013 • Attended regular meetings with Housing Into Work Liaison Officer • Signed introductory tenancy Jan 9th January 2014

10. Summary • The Housing Into Work scheme has generated a lot of interest • The prospect of housing is proving to be an incentive for those on the scheme • Changes to age criteria • Coaching method effective with age group • First tenancies signed and now we are going to monitor how sustainable jobs and tenancies.