This
project is financed by the LSC, SEEDA and
the European Social Fund
SUPPORT
SERVICES
Look out for new information in most sections of the Support Services page.
GETTING
BACK TO WORK/BENEFITS
This section provides links to agencies for a variety
of your clients:
Source: DWP http://www.dwp.gov.uk/
Getting NEETS into Work
18 year olds who have not been in work, education or training for at least 26 weeks before their 18th birthday will be moved onto an intensive support and sanctions regime led by Jobcentre Plus, from next April. Their benefits will only continue if they can prove that they are actively looking for work and are engaged in work-related activity. If they do not find work within 6 months, then a specialist provider from the private or voluntary sector will ensure that each individual does a minimum of four weeks full-time work-related activity – otherwise the young person will lose their benefit. The work-related activity may be community work, a work placement or work experience.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, James Purnell said: "The message that I want to give to young people is that they are expected to work for their money. Many young people have never experienced the world of work and this often works against them when looking for employment. We want to break down the barriers that young people face. Everyone has a talent, something to offer their community, by making work part of the deal for getting their benefits we can help them to realise their potential."
Source: GNN, 18th February 2008
182,000 More Construction Jobs for Olympics
Around 182,000 more construction workers will need to be found to complete the transport, infrastructure and sports facilities required for the 2012 Olympics, say the Construction Skills Network. Amongst other skilled trades, they have identified a need for 15,000 more plumbers and 13,000 more bricklayers by 2012.
For the Games, the Construction Industry will need 2.8m workers, with a rise of 8.4% forecast as being needed in Greater London. Projected workforce requirements include, 122,000 bricklayers, 161,000 painters, 211,000 electricians and 189,000 plumbers. Overall there is a £9.3bn budget for construction, transport and regeneration. These estimates do not include the requirement for extra workers on the Crossrail project which is also expected before the Olympics.
Source: BBC Online, 26th February 2008
Pathways to Work Goes Nationwide
Pathways to Work will be rolled out to the remaining 16 Jobcentre Plus districts from April 2008. The scheme aims to help people on incapacity benefits to move into employment. The programme provides specialist help by the public, private and voluntary sectors for the long-term unemployed to get back to work, including rehabilitation support, one-to-one interviews, a Return to Work Credit of £40 per week and assistance once in work. So far the scheme has helped 69,000 people into work.
The contractors appointed to deliver Phase 2 Pathways to Work in the South East region are: Instant Muscle Enterprise Ltd in Surrey and Sussex; Royal British Legion Industries in Surrey, Sussex and Kent; The Shaw Trust in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire and Hampshire & Isle of Wight.
Source: DWP website, 20th December 2007
Private and Voluntary Sector Given Greater Role In Tackling Worklessness
In a radical shake-up to the way support is provided to those who experience the most disadvantage in getting work, The Work and Pensions Secretary has announced that private and voluntary sector organisations will be paid to get the long-term unemployed into sustainable jobs. The emphasis is now not just getting a person into work, but ensuring that they keep work. To achieve this there will be longer and larger welfare-to-work contracts with a smaller number of lead contractors.
In addition, the Government has announced the following:
More accountability from contractors – contracts can be terminated or adjusted at a number of points if performance is not good enough
Increased competition for contracts
A large role for smaller providers who provide high quality performance.
The changes relate to recommendations made by David Freud in March and in the DWP's proposals in the 'In Work, Better Off' green paper in July.
Source: GNN, 27th November 2007
Minimum Wage to Rise in October
The Low Pay Commission (LPC) has announced that the adult minimum wage will increase to £5.73 from October 2008 (a 3.8% rise). The TUC has welcomed the rise. Brendan Barber, General Secretary of the TUC said:
“We welcome this increase in the minimum wage, which will benefit more than a million low paid workers. Everybody stands to gain from making the minimum wage as robust as possible. We support the improvements to the enforcement regime that are currently going through parliament, and look forward to the introduction of tougher penalties for cheating employers and fair arrears for underpaid workers later in the year.”
Source: www.tuc.org,uk, 5th March 2008
Increased Numbers of Employment Advisers to Support GP Surgeries
The Government is piloting a new advice service for smaller businesses and will treble the number of Jobcentre Plus employment advisers in GP surgeries to support people suffering from mental health or stress issues into work. The measures are part of the first national strategy relating to mental health and work, which will be overseen by a group of medical, academic, business and stakeholder representatives and chaired by the National Director for Health and Work, Dame Carol Black.
Other elements of the scheme include:
Wherever possible, the Pathways to Work and Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programmes will be linked up as they are rolled out across the country.
A mental health forum will be set up to bring together those delivering Pathways to Work support, to share good practice.
Changes to the way medical certificates are issues, focussing on capacity rather than incapacity.
Source: GNN, 27th November 2007
Minimum Wage Increases
From the start of October, over a million workers received a pay rise as the minimum wage increased from £5.35 to £5.52 for people over 21; from £4.44 to 4.60 for 18 to 21 year olds; and from £3.30 to £3.40 per hour for 16 and 17 year olds. The national minimum wage was first introduced in 1999.
At the same time, up to 6 million workers will benefit from an increase to the annual leave entitlement from 20 to 24 days for people working five day weeks. The entitlement is due to rise again to 28 days from April 2009.
Source: BBC online, various dates 2007
ESA Claimants Can Work and Still Receive Benefits
New rules governing work and benefits mean that jobseekers
on the income-related element of the new Employment
Support Allowance (ESA) can earn up to £86
per week for a year, while still receiving benefits.
ESA will replace incapacity benefit and income
support paid for incapacity or disability for new
claimants from 2008.
Jim Murphy, Minister for
Employment and Welfare Reform, said: "All
the evidence we have gathered shows that allowing
people to try out part-time job
options provides a gateway into the world of work,
helping them to build up their skills and confidence
and vastly improves the chances they have of getting
off benefit altogether.”
All ESA claimants will
be able to work for fewer than 16 hours and earn
up to £86 per week for
up to 52 weeks without losing their entitlement.
Source: GNN, 20th March 2007
For your clients who are not working or
working less than 16 hours a week: check
Jobseeker's Allowance – this
will take you to the JobCentre Plus website
If your client is a lone parent and wants
to move off benefit into work or just wants
help finding work: check
New Deal for Lone Parents (this will
now take you to the New Deal pages of the
JobCentre Plus website)
If your client is aged 50 or over and
looking for work: check
New Deal for people aged 50 plus (this
will now take you to the New Deal pages
of the JobCentre Plus website)
If your client is aged 25 or over and
needs help looking for work: check
New Deal for people aged 25 plus (this
will now take you to the New Deal pages
of the JobCentre Plus website)
If your client is aged 18 or over but
under 25 and needs help looking for work: check
New Deal for Young People (this will
now take you to the New Deal pages of the
JobCentre Plus website)
For young people also visit the Connexions
website and see job opportunities.
If your client currently gets a disability
or health-related benefit: check
New Deal for Disabled People (this
will now take you to the New Deal pages
of the JobCentre Plus website)
If your client is an aspiring unemployed
musician: check
New Deal for Musicians (this will now
take you to the New Deal pages of the JobCentre
Plus website)
SELF-EMPLOYMENT/BUSINESS START UP/ BUSINESS SUPPORT
This section will provide information and links on help and advice for
those clients in business or who wish to go self-employed.
Awards Launched to Celebrate Employers’ Contribution to Local Employment
UK-wide awards have been launched to recognise the good practice of employers, employees and partners in Local Employment Partnerships (LEPs) across the country. More than 400 employers from a variety of sectors have committed to the Government’s initiative to help 250,000 long-term benefit claimants back into work by the end of 2010.
The Local Employment Partnership awards will celebrate good practice by employers that help disadvantaged individuals into work; and the achievements of employees on the scheme. There are six categories of award:
• Employer award for best practice in recruitment
• Employer award for work-life balance
• Employer award for best career progression
• Partnership award for best practice in partnership working
• Individual award for overcoming barriers to employment
• Individual award for outstanding achievement in training
To apply for the Local Employment Partnership Awards, visit http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/up. Applications will be accepted until Friday 2 May 2008. The winners will be announced at an award ceremony at The Oval, Kennington in London on 1 July 2008.
Source: GNN, 31st January 2008
2012 Olympic Games Business and Job Opportunities
A business ‘dating agency’ has been setup by the LDA in partnership with London 2012 and London Business Network. The initiative, known as CompeteFor aims to support all sizes of business to bid for opportunities by matching companies with London 2012’s supply needs. There will be an estimated 75,000 opportunities for businesses generated by the Olympics, with £6 billion worth of work to be allocated by London Organising Committee (LOCOG) and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA). Businesses need to register to be able to apply for contracts, and Competefor will also match firms with local Business Links to offer them support services designed to improve their competitiveness in the long run. A launch event for the service for the South East region was held on 20th February at the Reading Madejski Stadium. Over 400 businesses from the South East attended the event, which was co-hosted by SEEDA and Business Link. Click here to go through to our website for further details.
Source: SEEDA website, London 2012 and LDA websites, various dates
Green Guide for Businesses is Launched
Connect Reading has published a Go4Green guide to help businesses reduce their greenhouse gases. The guide uses a traffic light system to move companies from Red, where they have not adopted money-saving sustainability measures, to Green where they have implemented them. There are simple suggestions in the guide such as turning off printers and copiers when not in use and buying recycled products. For more information, visit http://www.connectreading.co.uk
Connect Reading is also running a forum about Reading’s Future Development on 13 February 2008 from 8am -11am at the Regus Office on Green Park. To find out more about Connect Reading, ring 0118 959 1236.
Source: icberkshire website, 14th December 2007
Competition Launched to Find Most Enterprising Place in the South East
For a fourth year, the Enterprising Britain 2008 competition has been launched. Starting on 18th February, the search is on for the most enterprising place in the South East to compete in the national finals. Make Your Mark is running the competition for BERR and in partnership with SEEDA.
The competition aims to find places of excellence in enterprise across the UK that have transformed the economic and social landscape of their area. In this first stage, enterprising places in the South East are being sought to take part in the regional heat, the winner of which then goes through to the UK final. Click here to go through to our website for further details.
Source: SEEDA website, 18th February 2008
Berkshire Business Show 2008
The dates have been announced for the Berkshire Business Show 2008. The show will be held on 16th and 17th July 2008 at Newbury College’s Monks Lane campus. For further information, please click here.
Source: Newbury College website, 15th October 2007
Boroughs Seek to Grow Their Own Jobs
Working in partnership, Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Council, Bracknell Forest Borough Council and SEEDA have launched the Grow Your Own project to match local employers with people seeking jobs. The project, launched at the Legoland theme park, aims to create up to 5,000 new jobs for local people. The scheme is the first of its kind in the country. 30 recruitment agencies have signed up, and local employers, such as Sainsbury’s and Holiday Inn are interested in the initiative.
Immigration Support for Businesses
A hotline for employers worried about employing illegal immigrants has been set up by the border and immigration team on call 0845 010 6677Source: Ilford Recorder, 9th August 2007
Prince’s Trust Grants
Anybody between the age of 18 and 30 wishing to start up their own business can apply for a grant or financial support from the Prince’s Trust. The trust also offers business advice and mentoring as well as a free legal helpline. To find out more, click here to visit their website.
£140m
Available in Training Grants
From August 2007, £140m in Government
grants will be available to improve the skills
of workers in the construction sector. This includes
grants that cover a several years to ensure a
longer-term approach. Funds for apprenticeships
have also risen significantly in line with the
Government’s aim of having more young people
continuing in training and education until they
are 18.
For further information about training grants,
visit http://www.cskills.org/grant
Source: Brighton Argus, 17th July 2007
The Berkshire Business Education Alliance Ltd
is a consortium of organisations across
Berkshire that aim to foster closer links between
education
and
business through a variety of activities. The activities include
work experience for young people and businesses mentoring young people.
More information is available on http://www.berks-bea.co.uk or
0118 901 5999.
EURES – European Employment Services
EURES is a network that links the Public Employment Services of all 28 EEA countries (e.g. Jobcentre Plus). EURES can assist by:
Advising employers how to advertise their vacancies EURES-wide or in particular countries
Finding out from the EURES network where there are skill surpluses to match their requirements
Setting up projects with other countries to recruit specialist staff
Taking employers or their vacancies to jobsfairs in Europe or targeting specialist open days in Europe
This is particularly useful for employers who have major skills shortage areas such as engineering, linguistic vacancies, scientific/pharmaceutical, health professionals etc.
The EURES website http://www.eures-jobs.com also allows UK employers to access thousands of CVs from potential jobseekers (via CV Search) throughout the EEA countries, thereby increasing their chances of finding the best possible candidate for their job. The South East EURES Advisers can be contacted via the website, but clicking on ’EURES ADVISERS’ button and using the search mechanism provided.
Thames Valley Business Women’s Group meets on a regular basis to offer networking opportunities and support for women in business. Meetings take place at the Chartered Institute of Marketing CIM) in Cookham. For more information, visit: http://www.tvbwg.co.uk
The Success Network for Women in Business
Maidenhead-based The Success Network for Women in Business organises events to inspire and empower women in business. The Success Network offers teleclasses and workshops as well as networking opportunities. For more information, visit http://www.successnetwork.org.uk/workshops.htm or email info@successnetwork.org.uk
Source: Maidenhead Advertiser, 20th February 2008
Business Support in Slough for Women Entrepreneurs
Aurat Enterprise offers business support to women from ethnic minority backgrounds in Slough. The organisation is funded by the Learning and Skills Council and the European Social Fund and offers support especially to women at risk from domestic violence, with low self esteem or who have recently arrived in Britain.
Trevor Phillips, Chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, has praised the council-run project for 'helping to make the UK a fairer more equal society.'
Source: icberkshire website, 14th December 2007
Mothers Lose Out by Returning Part-time
Research in the February issue of the Economic Journal has found that hourly earnings are 26% lower for women working part-time rather than full-time. Since most women who work part-time do so when they become mothers, women with children pay a high price in terms of pay and career status, among them some of the UK’s most qualified women. 40% of women in work are in part-time jobs, and most of these are women with young children. Nearly half of women who were managers of shops, salons and restaurants before they took a career break return to a lower-skilled job. This is less the case with sectors such as nursing and teaching.
Around 85% of working women without children work full-time in Britain and approximately 90% of all working men are in full-time work, whether they are parents or not.
Other reports in the Economic Journal say that the UK has the widest pay gap for full- and part-time work in Europe and that the pay gap between part-time and full-time work is widening as part-time jobs are mainly in lowly paid occupations.
Source: BBC Online, 27th February 2008
Step
into Construction
Is a positive action project to support Women and
Black Ethnic Minorities to enter employment and training
in construction. For further information, contact
genia.duff-cooper@citb.co.uk
The Women's National Commission
Is the official, independent, advisory body giving
the views of women to the Government and aims to
ensure that women's views are taken into account
by the Government and are heard in public debate.
For more information, see http://www.thewnc.org.uk/
Women
Returners’ Network
The Women Returners’ Network (WRN) deals with
issues for women returning to work or learning. For
more information, go to http://www.women-returners.co.uk/cms/
Women into Science and Engineering
Women into Science and Engineering (WISE) encourages
women of all ages to consider starting or returning
to careers in science and engineering. Its
website is: http://www.wisecampaign.org.uk
Everywoman
Everywoman provides resources and support services
for women in business. For further information,
visit http://www.everywoman.co.uk/
National Women’s Enterprise Task Force
National Women’s Enterprise Task Force, http://www.prowess.org.uk is
a network of partners and organisations that support women’s business ownership.
The facts pages on the website contain a wide range of facts and figures
relating to women in the workforce.
Women’s
Business Development Agency is available to support
and
develop female run businesses and
to help women into work. Further information is
available on http://www.wbda.co.uk
This section is concerned with support services provided to people
from ethnic minority and travelling communities.
Ethnic Minorities Support
Government Green Paper Published about Foreign Nationals Seeking British Citizenship
After a UK-wide consultation, a Green Paper ‘The path to citizenship’ has been published. People who took part in the consultation wanted those seeking British Citizenship to obey the law, speak English, pay their way and contribute to their community. The Green Paper sets out the following proposals:
Three stages towards citizenship, including a probationary period requiring migrants to show their contribution to the UK. During this probationary period, migrants will not have full access to benefits.
Improved ability to speak English in order to pass probation
Anyone who has been in prison being barred from citizenship
Migrants contributing to a fund to manage the transitional impacts of migration for communities affected by migration
Migrants involved in volunteering attaining British citizenship more quickly.
Major changes are also currently taking place in the immigration system. A new Australian style points based system is being introduced, as well as a single border force for ports and airports, fingerprinting of visa applicants, new systems to count people in and out and ID cards. In November, there will be a new Bill put forward, replacing all existing immigration laws.
The Path to Citizenship green paper is available from: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk
Source: GNN, 20th February 2008
English Lessons to be Targeted for Migrants The Government will now be targeting English language lessons for migrants who have long term needs. Classes will be free for longstanding residents on benefits who have poor English. Demand for the courses trebled between 2001 and 2005. Local authorities will be given priorities for who should take part, and employers of migrants will be asked to pay for classes. Non-English speakers are now asked to contribute over a third of the course fees, and half of the fees from 2010. The LSC funds ESOL courses, and will in future liaise with councils to decide priority groups.
Priorities will be based on local and national priorities, including:
residents expected to stay in the country long-term
excluded women, particularly those with children under 16
parents or carers in families with multiple problems
those identified as raising particular issues for community cohesion
people with low levels of literacy in their own language
those with no secondary education
refugees
asylum seekers still in the country beyond six months awaiting a decision on their status or who cannot return home
Source: BBC online, 4th January 2008
Group for Ethnic Businesses Expands
EMBAG (Ethnic Minorities Business Forum) is a support group to offer help and advice to ethnic minority businesses in Berkshire. The group was set up in 2004 to increase the number of ethnic businesses using Business Link services. However with the influx of new eastern Europeans to the area, EMBAG has expanded its team and has relaunched, wanting to become an essential element for minority enterprises, rather than just giving advice. An event to relaunch the group was held at Sardar Palace in Reading.
Help available for companies includes: showing them what grants are available, finding finance, offering support to start up businesses with business plans, helping micro businesses to grow, succession planning and exit strategies. Help is available for companies that have up to 250 staff.
For further information about the support group, contact the Head of Economic and Business Development at Business Link, Ganesh Selvarajah on 01753 610006
Source: icberkshire website, 21st February 2008
Business Support in Slough for Women Entrepreneurs
Aurat Enterprise offers business support to women from ethnic minority backgrounds in Slough. The organisation is funded by the Learning and Skills Council and the European Social Fund and offers support especially to women at risk from domestic violence, with low self esteem or who have recently arrived in Britain.
Trevor Phillips, Chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, has praised the council-run project for 'helping to make the UK a fairer more equal society.'
Source: icberkshire website, 14th December 2007
UK NARIC – The
National Academic Recognition Information Centre gives
details about the compatibility of British and overseas
qualifications,
see http://www.naric.org.uk/
Step into Construction
Is a positive action project to support Women and Black Ethnic Minorities
to enter employment and training in construction. For further information,
contact genia.duff-cooper@citb.co.uk
In Berkshire, there are the following Racial Equality
Councils (RECs):
READING COUNCIL FOR RACIAL EQUALITY
2-4 Silver Street
READING
Berkshire
RG1 2ST
Tel: 0118 986 8755
Fax: 0118 931 4786
Email: info@rcre.org.uk
Chairperson: Ms Helen Townsend
Director: Mr Victor Koroma
For further details about
language and cultural support in Windsor and Maidenhead,
visit http://www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/ema_index.htm Slough Immigration
Unit is based at 29 Church Street in Slough and
is open every Monday – Thursday from 10am until
midday. It offers a free service to people
on low incomes and those who would normally qualify
for legal aid.
Source: http://www.icberkshire.icnetwork.co.uk
13/04/06
The Slough Black and Minority Ethnic Business Forum
supports Black and Minority Ethnic Businesses within
the Borough. The Forum is supported
by Slough Council, Slough Business Community and the Business Link
Berkshire.
(Slough and Langley Observer, December 2005)
Working with Refugees A website for
those working with refugees has
pages dedicated to helping those working
with adults and children. The children’s
pages offer advice and case studies
from Early Years through to 16-19.
The National
Refugee Integration Forum (NRIF) also offers advice on employment
and training for refugees. Visit www.nrif.org.uk
WORKSTEP - Improved Employer Incentive
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has announced changes to the WORKSTEP programme which helps disabled people find and retain paid employment. The sustained progression payment is to increase from £500 to £2000. The aim is to provide a better financial incentive for providers to move people into unsupported, independent work when they are able and ready to do so. Supported employees on the WORKSTEP programme either work in jobs in the open labour market, in supported placements, or within supported businesses established to employ disabled people.
Source: GNN, 21st January 2008
Independent Living Strategy Published
The Office for Disability Issues has published the ‘Independent Living Strategy’, which is a cross-government strategy, developed in partnership with disabled people with the aim of giving them more choice and control over the support they receive and greater access to transport, health, employment and housing.
The Government has a vision of equality for all disabled people by 2025. Six central Government departments have committed as part of the strategy to give disabled people more opportunities by working with disabled people and their organisations.
The Strategy includes the following commitments:
To develop a national strategy supporting people to stay in work should they become disabled or if their condition deteriorates
An awareness campaign targeting disabled people, and practitioners in social work, the NHS and other organisations to ensure that services are delivered in ways that give disabled people more choice
To demonstrate how to shift resources from professional assessment and care management to user-led advocacy, brokerage and support
A toolkit to assist in building local independent living strategies relating to older disabled people
A regional scheme to develop independent living opportunities for older disabled people who need high levels of support
Good practice guidance to help people to have choice and control over their future health care.
The Department of Health has announced additional funding for 12 user-led organisations that support disabled people to have more choice and control.
New Work Tests To Be Introduced for Disabled People
The Government has announced it will introduce a new work capability test for disabled people from October 2008. The test now focuses on what disabled people can do, rather than what they cannot do, aiming to reduce the number of people claiming incapacity benefit. The Employers’ Forum on Disability (EFD) has welcomed the introduction of the new test, but believes that employers must be given more support to enable disabled people to gain sustainable jobs. The EFD is also concerned that the test may not reflect the ability of those with fluctuating conditions such as cancer, HIV or mental ill health.
The new tests look at employment potential, and assess work-related skills rather than how many steps people can climb or what they can carry.
The Government estimates that 50% of people taking the assessment will not pass it, so that 20,000 fewer people a year will enter 'sickness' benefits as a result, and will instead be given the support and skills they need to get a job. The test will be introduced in October 2008 alongside the new Employment and Support Allowance and will apply to people claiming the new allowance. It replaces the current Personal Capability Assessment,
Source: GNN, 19th November 2007; HRLook website, 20th November 2007
For information about post-16 opportunities and
services for young people with disabilities, visit
http://www.after16.org.uk/
For a list of specialist independent colleges providing
further education and training to meet the learning
needs of students with learning difficulties and/or
disabilities, see http://www.natspec.org.uk/index.php?id=4
Television Channel for Deaf People
A new television channel which is dedicated for deaf
people has been launched. The channel is called
VeeSee and viewers will be able to watch sign language
news and television programmes 24 hours a day.
The channel can be accessed via the internet or
a set-top box. Deaf film makers also get to show
off their skills through the television channel.
To view the VeeSee website visit http://www.veesee.co.uk/
New
guide to improve information for disabled people
A five point guide to improve information
for disabled people has been launched
by Minister for Disabled People, Anne
McGuire. The Office for Disability
Issues (ODI) wrote the guide following
research showing that a lack of, or
misleading information, can be an important
factor in preventing disabled people
from getting services they need.
The new guide contains five guidelines to improve
information for disabled people:
1. Ensure that disabled people are involved from
the start
2. Provide information through a range of channels
and formats
3. Ensure your information meets users' needs
4. Clearly signpost other services
5. Always make it clear who is responsible for the
information provided.
Source: GNN 06/02/07
National agencies offering support to people
with disabilities include:
Directgov Click
here to see information for disabled people provided
by Directgov, the supplier of public services information.
Disability Now
Disability Now is a monthly online magazine for disabled
people. The site features information on learning,
living, news and there is also a job vacancy section.
To view the website click
here
DisabledGo
DisabledGo is a website that provides information
for disabled people. The site offers information
on how accessible hotels, cinemas, restaurants,
offices, pubs, shops and other services are across
the UK. The site also has a job searching facility
featuring inclusive employers. For more information
visit http://www.disabledgo.info/Default.asp
Royal Association for Disability
and Rehabilitation – Tel:
020 7250 3222
Website: http://www.radar.org.uk
Skill is the national bureau for students with disabilities,
promoting opportunities for young people and adults
with disabilities in education and employment. For
further information, see http://www.skill.org.uk/
Launch of images of disability website
Targeting communications professionals, the http://www.imagesofdisability.gov.uk website has recently been launched, giving guidance
about the way to portray disabled people in communications
materials. The website includes the following materials:
An extensive Media Gallery - containing examples
of positive portrayals of disabled people across
a range of media channels
'How to...' guides and templates - from campaign
briefing to production
Sample briefs
Tips and techniques about effectively applying
a disability message to a campaign
Useful research material
Case studies and articles about disability
Source: GNN 07/08/06
Supported Employment Services
Queen Elizabeth's Foundation Training College provides
work-based residential training for adults with disabilities
or long term health problems, who are hoping to gain
sustainable employment. The college offers 13 courses
in commercial, technical and trade subjects and its
holistic approach helps with confidence building as
well as the opportunity to achieve nationally recognised
qualifications (available on almost all courses). The
college begins with an assessment and offers continued
support throughout the training, following which there
is the opportunity to undertake a period of work experience
in the person's home area. A limited number of non-residential
places are available. Application can be made via the
Disability Employment Adviser at Job Centre Plus and
is available to those on Incapacity Benefit, Income
Support or Job Seekers Allowance living in the UK.
Further information, a prospectus and details of any
open days are contained on the college’s website:
http://www.qefd.org.uk.
Otherwise contact Angela Webb on 01372 841152 or angela.webb@qetc.org
In the Reading area, Graft is a partnership of local organisations
providing information and support to employers regarding employing
disabled people,
as well as to disabled candidates looking for work. For further
information, visit: http://www.graft.org.uk/
In West Berkshire, information about paths to employment for
people with disabilities is available on: http://www.p2e.org.uk/
The West Berkshire Council Pathways to Employment Project (P2E)
has found work placements for 70 disabled people and found
employment for more than 40 since January 2005. The Council
is leading by example, and has offered work placements to 20
people, and paid employment to 12 people.
Other employers supporting P2E include: Donnington
Valley Hotel, Marks and Spencer, Tesco, Scats, Sainsbury's,
Co-op, Budgens, High and Mighty, Waterstones, Family
Book Shop, Wyevale Garden Centre, Newbury Manor Hotel,
Regency Park Hotel, Littlecote Manor Hotel, Chris
Fiddler Garage, Children's Action Farm, Speenhamlands
School, Mary Hare School, Charles Clore Centre, ACT
systems, Suzie's Preserves and Vodafone.
P2E is also working with employment agencies, including:
Randstad, Reed, Action Recruitment and Adecco.
Rise in Carers’ Allowable Earnings At the start of October, the amount carers can earn without losing Carer’s Allowance rose from £87 to £95 per week, after income tax and NI contributions. From April 2008, the rise means that carers should be able to receive over £7,500 in combined earnings and benefits. The Government is currently reviewing the National Carers Strategy. Carers who employ someone to look after children under 16 or a disabled person are still entitled to the Carer’s Allowance and can earn more than the normal limit.
Source: GNN, 21st September 2007
For
carers of all ages, including practical training,
support and advice in West
Berkshire
This section is designed to help older people getting
back into the labour market, and people with caring
responsibilities for older people who might want
to get back into the labour market (see also support
for carers).
Employers Need to Do More to Attract Older Workers
Research for the CIPD by Cranfield School of Management has investigated what employers are doing that would appeal to older workers in order to attract them and retain them. Age discrimination law, skills gaps and an ageing population, all mean that employers need to address the issue of older workers.
The research found that while some employers have introduced schemes to be more attractive to older workers, these have generally been implemented in an ad hoc way in response to certain issues. There needs to be a more systematic and integrated method of assessing financial and non-financial benefits and pay to see whether they appeal to all employees or potential employees, as well as older workers. By adopting this approach, employers can better understand what motivates older workers at work – for example, schemes to improve work-life balance can be attractive to older workers. Employers also need to ensure that older workers have their training and development needs fulfilled. Organisations need to develop a ‘total rewards’ package that is available to everyone but which is flexible to provide for the different requirements of different employees, including older workers. In this way, they will motivate staff to remain with the organisation, while not being discriminatory in any way.
Source: HR Look, 31st January 2008
Older Workers Want to Work Past Retirement Age
A survey of 1000 older workers by the CIPD has found that nearly 2 out of 5 mean to work past 65. Men are more likely to work longer, motivated mainly by financial concerns, but also by a wish to use their skills and to retain the social interaction that work brings. Half of those planning to work beyond 65 said they would expect to retire between 67 and 70 and most of those questioned wanted to stay with their current employer.
Source: Oxford Times, 1st February 2008
Bracknell Forest Dementia Team Wins Double Award
Bracknell Forest Borough Council’s dementia team has won two Skills for Care awards at a ceremony in the Landmark Hotel in London. The team halved the number of Alzheimer’s sufferers needing to be in care homes and reduced hospital waiting times to zero. As a result, it won awards for both the most innovative new type of worker or way of working and then received the top Winner of Winners award, having impressed the judges by the way they support people to live in their own homes for as long as they can.
Skills For Care's chief executive officer Andrea Rowe said: "The Skills For Care Accolades are the Oscars of the social care world and Bracknell Forest deserved to take the winner of winners prize after really impressing the judges with their innovative approach to making sure people with dementia were treated with respect and could remain in their own homes."
The dementia team was set up in 2005 and its ethos is to place the patient and their family and carers, at the centre of all care.
Source: icberkshire website, 15th November 2007
For information about the Campaign
Against Age Discrimination in employment, see http://www.caade.net/
Volunteering for Older People
The WRVS is co-ordinating the government initiative
to promote volunteering opportunities in later
life. The Volunteering Initiative in the Third
Age (VITA) is promoting the value and impact
of older volunteers. Recent events include the
VITA and Help the Aged Conference held in Westminster
on 6th June bringing together voluntary sector
representatives to discuss best practice and
recruitment
of older volunteers. The WRVS are particularly
looking for older volunteers to get involved
in WRVS activities - visit http://www.wrvs.org.uk for
more information.
The Age
and Employment Network (formerly Third Age Employment Network)
- http://www.taen.org.uk
TAEN is a network of member organisations to ensure
better opportunities are available for mature people
at work. The network undertakes research and campaigning
to this end, with a comprehensive website and members
area.
The
Tick Tock Project
For
the South East region, Berkshire LSC is leading a
new project with European EQUAL funding, known
as Tick Tock, supporting older people with lifelong
learning, volunteering and employment. For further
information, visit: http://www.tick-tock-se.org/transnational_partnerships.htm
http://www.CareerChangeCentre.org.uk is the innovative
new website, part of the Tick Tock Project strand
4, aimed at people making mid-life career decisions.
It is focused on helping the over 45s living or working
in the South East of England.
The website is primarily
for those who are thinking of making a change in
working life: applying for
promotion, getting back into the workforce following
redundancy, downsizing – going part-time and
wanting to undertake some training or voluntary work,
making a complete career change or for the exploration
of options.
For more details of the project, please contact
Alan Porter on Alan.Porter@vtplc.com
Age Concern Age Concern is the UK’s
largest organisation working with and for older people.
The central website
has a number of information sheets and fact sheets
relating to older people in the workplace and self-employment.
Of particular interest are FS4, Your Rights At Work
and FS11, Help with Looking for Work or Starting
Your Own Business. Information sheet IS12, Deferring
Retirement Pension Questions and Answers, and IS17
Age Discrimination Law may also be of interest. You
can access these sheets by clicking
here for the Age Concern
website, information sheets are also available via
the Information Line on 0800 00
99 66 or visit http://www.ageconcern.org.uk.
The Children's Workforce Development Council
For a one stop shop for information on the children and families workforce, go to The Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC). It is one of five bodies forming the UK Skills For Care and Development Sector Skills Council. The CWDC coordinates the Children's Workforce Network and one of its aims is to improve the lives of children and young people by ensuring that the people working with children have the best possible training, qualifications, support and advice. It will also help children and young people's organisations and services to work together so that the child is at the centre of all services. To access the website visit http://www.cwdcouncil.org.uk
South East and London Most Expensive for Childcare
A survey by the Daycare Trust says that childcare costs rose 5% last year, and that parents in London and the South East are paying the most for childcare. The average price of a full-time nursery place in England for children under 2 was £159 per week. In London and the South East typical costs were £161-£202 per week rising to £750 for some.
The cost of childcare in out-of-school clubs had also risen around six times the rate of inflation to an average of £43 per week. The costs quoted do not include government funding via tax credits, childcare vouchers and free nursery places for three year old children. However, the Trust believes that the British pay more for childcare than people in other parts of Europe, even when tax credits and vouchers are included. On average, the Trust says that parents are contributing on average 70% of childcare costs, compared with an average of 30% elsewhere in Europe.
Source: BBC online, 29th January 2008
National organisations
offering support and information about childcare,
include:
4Children can give contact information for local
out of school clubs and facilities for primary-age
children. For further details, visit: http://www.4children.org.uk
One Parent Families is a charity providing information
and support to lone parents. For further details,
visit: http://www.oneparentfamilies.org.uk
The Slough Childcare Information
Service (SCIS) runs a free impartial telephone
information and guidance line for provision for
childcare from
0-14 (or 16 if the young person has special needs). See below
for searches for childcare provision in your area.
The following links are taken from ChildcareLink
which is funded by the Sure Start Unit and
Scottish Executive as part of their national
childcare strategies. This site is developed, managed and maintained
by Opportunity
Links as part of their role in running the ChildcareLink programme.
The website includes information on childminders, day nurseries, out
of school care and schemes, pre-school play groups. The information produced
also indicates whether the childcare service includes pick up from local
schools.
