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
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
New Citizens Advice Bureau Opens in Whitstable
A new Citizens Advice Bureau outreach service was opened recently in Whitstable library on Oxford Street. The service operates on Thursdays between 10am and 1pm and offers free, independent, confidential advice on subjects such as employment; debt; welfare benefits tax; and legal and consumer issues. Appointments need to be booked either a week in advance or on Wednesdays. For more information, call 01227 740 647 or visit http://www.cabcant.fsnet.co.uk.
Low Average Wages in Dover and Deal
Recently published official figures show that the gap in average wages between Dover and Deal and the rest of Kent has widened over the past several years. In 2002, average wages in Dover and Deal were just £32 behind Kent’s average figure of £17,932 but figures from the Office of National Statistics show that in 2007, the area’s average wage was £2,014 behind the Kent average of £21,040. The Kent average has increased by £3,000. These problems have been blamed on lack of investment; poor quality transport infrastructure; and a generally low level of skills in the available workforce. The latter problem is being addressed by many providers and stakeholders such as South Kent College in Dover, by efforts to drive up the skill levels of school leavers.
Source: Sevenoaks Chronicle, 6th March 2008
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, Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain 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
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
New Deal Ten Years Old This Year
2008 marks the tenth anniversary of the New Deal job seeking programme that helps to move people off benefits and back into work. Figures published recently by the Department of Work and Pensions show that more than 1.8 million people nationwide have found work through the new deal programme over the last decade which is equivalent to one person every three minutes every day. In the South East, nearly 144,000 people have found a job through new deal. Other figures published by the DWP show that the long term rate of employment for both youths and adults has fallen by nearly 75% over the past decade and the employment rate of lone parents has risen by 12.5%. The government is spending £5 billion less a year on unemployment than in 1997 and claimant unemployment figures are the lowest they’ve been for thirty years. The new deal has contributed to all of these successful outcomes.
Source: GNN, 2nd Jan 2008
0800 Number Launched By Jobcentre
Plus
In May, Jobcentre Plus launched a new free 0800 telephone
service to speed up the process of benefit claims
and offer advice about getting back to work. The
new numbers are:
Lines are open from 8am-6pm, Monday to Friday. Customers
using mobile phones may be charged, but the contact
centre will call the customer back if requested.
Face to face help with completing claims forms will
still be available at Jobcentre Plus offices if required.
For further information on the services that Jobcentre
Plus provides employers and people of working age
visit http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
Source: GNN, 29th May 2007
This section provides links to agencies
for a variety of your clients:
(Source: DWP http://www.dwp.gov.uk/)
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)
This section will provide
information and links on help and advice for those
clients who wish to go self-employed or start a business.
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
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
New Business Grants Available through SEEDA
Small and medium sized businesses could stand to benefit from new business grant criteria recently announced by the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (DBERR). The Changes relate to the Selective Finance for Investment in England grant schemes and will be delivered by SEEDA in the South East. The grants are made available to businesses with expansion plans that need financial assistance. Due to these changes, small businesses could be eligible for grants of up to £2.5 million and medium sized businesses £1.25 million which is a large increase on the previous £100,000 limit. 60 companies in Kent and Medway have been awarded over £12 million in grants from the scheme since April 2004 according to SEEDA figures. To find out more click here to visit SEEDA’s website.
Source: Kent Business, Oct 5th, 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
Four-fifths of construction
companies in the South East have not been accessing
training grants. Figures released by ConstructionSkills
show that last year, 2,200 construction companies
accessed £12m in grants to train their employees.
However, an estimated 9,000 other companies in
the region did not. 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
Websites to help businesses include:
Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce offers a free and confidential business advice line that people can call with any queries about business start up issues. Click here for information on how to book a consultation.
Becoming a member of the North Kent Chamber of Commerce can offer small businesses a wide range of services including training and awareness on business start-up issues and networking tips. Visit the chamber’s website at http://www.northkentchamber.org/index.asp to find out more.
Business Link Kent offers advice
clinics throughout the year at various Kent and Medway
locations. Click here for a list of the locations and dates of where the clinics are held.
BT has launched a carbon footprint calculator on
a website for small businesses to calculate their
carbon footprint. The calculator lets businesses
change their profile over time, showing how their
carbon footprint changes with each action they take.
Visit http://www.btplc.com/ClimateChange/CarbonCalculator/index.cfm
Myth Busters Business Link Kent has responded to the DTI myth busting research on
business start up with its own list of facts and myths on starting a
new business. These include:
MYTH:
It takes years to start a new business
from scratch
FACT:
Most businesses are established within
six months
MYTH:
The rejection rate for business loan
applications is very high
FACT:
Overall, only 10-20% of applications
are rejected
MYTH:
It is difficult to make an adequate
living from a start-up business
FACT:
Estimates for first year income are
usually lower than the reality – by
50%!
Source:
Kent Profile Feb/March 06
Business Link Kent offers a start up programme
through its website.
It provides information and a programme of meetings.
Click
here to access the website.
The Medway Enterprise Agency, part of the Medway Chamber of Commerce,
offers business start up services including information and advice prior
to business start-up; seminars and training; advice on council managed
business accommodation and advice to new businesses. Click
here for further information.
EURES
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. Or by
using the detail below.
Business Link Courses for Ashford
Business Link is offering courses in Ashford focusing on business start-up. Topics such as planning for success; winning and keeping customers; and managing money will be covered, with attendees being given a business folder at the end of every session to help them with their studies. Sessions will be held during the day; evenings; and at weekends and will also enable people with similar ideas to meet. You can find out when the next workshop is by calling 0845 6009006. You can also visit http://www.startupanswers.co.uk to download a free guide to starting up a business.
Source: Sevenoaks Chronicle, 29th Feb 2008
Work 4 U Launched in Ashford
South Kent Enterprise Gateway recently launched a new service in Ashford called Work 4 U. The service aims to give advice to anybody wishing to investigate the possibility of working for themselves. To contact South Kent Enterprise Gateway, call 01303 223239
or email info@southkentgateway.co.uk
Kent Messenger Group Jobs Fairs
The Kent Messenger Group is holding thee jobs fairs in 2008. The fairs are free and offer potential employees the chance to meet local employers in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. The fairs will be held at the following venues on the following dates:
• Medway, April 24th, Black Lion Leisure Centre, Gillingham
• Maidstone, September 18th, Mote Park Leisure Centre, Maidstone
• Canterbury, October 9th, Kingsmead Leisure Centre, Canterbury
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is working in partnership with Business Link Kent to provide numerous business start-up clinics over the coming months. For a comprehensive list, click here to visit the council’s website.
Find out about the business events being run by the Channel Chamber of Commerce, which offers business support for Folkestone; Hythe; and Romney Marsh, by going to http://www.shepwaybc.co.uk/events.php
Find out about the business events being run by West Kent Chamber of Commerce and Industry by going to http://www.wkcci.com/events.php
The North Kent Chamber of Commerce are offering a wide variety of business events running up until the new year. Click here for a comprehensive list.
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
Women in South East Invited to Work for Themselves
Business Link is holding free one-day workshops for women thinking about going into business across the South East region. The events are entitled ‘What’s Stopping You?’ and will provide an informal opportunity to talk to other female entrepreneurs. Women from all backgrounds are invited, from those who want to turn a hobby into a business, or those who have an ambition to run their own larger businesses. The events, which are supported by SEEDA, and are only for women who have not yet started trading.
CanDoCanBe Inspirations is a website offering a wide
range of information and advice for women running
home-based businesses see: http://www.candocanbe.typepad.com/
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
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.
In four of the UK regions women are more likely
than men to be setting up a socially orientated
venture or activity – the East Midlands,
London, the North East and the South East. (Global
Entrepreneurship Monitor, GEM 2004)
80% of women compared with 17% of men are responsible
for looking after the children or arranging childcare
facilities. (The barriers start to fall – Barclays
2000)
A full time nursery place for a child under
two typically costs over £7000 per year.
(Childcare Costs Survey, Daycare Trust, Jan 2005)
The costs of care can be higher for business
owners who have no option but to work flexibly
and travel to develop their business. But unlike
other essential business costs, caring is not
tax deductable.
There is a severe shortage of registered childcare
places - there are only enough childcare places
for 25% of children aged under 8. (Daycare Trust,
Jan 2005)
Total Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA) for white
females is 3.6% and is two and a half times higher
amongst women from mixed backgrounds (10.2%),
for Bangladeshi women it is (10.9%), Other Asians
(10.3%) and Black Caribbeans (10.5%). The most
entrepreneurial female grouping is that of 'other
Black' at (29.9%) of all women. (Global Entrepreneurship
Monitor, GEM, Jan 2004)
The YWCA in Tonbridge provides support and information for women
aged 11-30 who may have missed out on learning and educational opportunities.
The programmes are designed to raise self-esteem, confidence, skills
levels and to enable young women to take control of their own lives. Click
here for
more information.
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
South East Gypsy and Traveller Sites Receive Funding
The Government has recently approved a £1.8 million Gypsy and Traveller Site Grant to extend four sites and support and maintain nine sites in the South East region. The grants have been designed to reduce unauthorised camping by providing new pitches, as well as improving living conditions, on authorised sites.
The sites in the South East which have gained funding so far are: Easthampnett in West Sussex; Brambledown, Conifer Park and Traveller’s Rest in Surrey; Wing in Buckinghamshire; Tynefield in Hampshire; Cinderhill in Tunbridge Wells; Four Houses Corner in Berkshire; Horsdean in Brighton and Hove; and Polly Arch, Redlands Lane and Swan Barn in East Sussex. Bids are currently being invited for a further £97 million in funding available between 2008-11.
Source: GNN, 7th March 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
Law to Combat Religious Hatred Now in Force
At the start of October the Racial and Religious Hatred Act came into force in England and Wales. The Act sets up a new offence of intentionally encouraging religious hatred against people on religious grounds. While Jews and Sikhs were covered under previous legislation against racial hatred, Muslims and Christians were not covered as they were seen as religious rather than racial groups. The Act can be found at: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2006/20060001.htm
Source: GNN, 1st October 2007
A resource that those from overseas
might find useful is UK NARIC – The
National Academic Recognition Information Centre which gives details
about the compatibility of British and overseas qualifications,
see http://www.naric.org.uk/
The CRE – Regional Listing During
2005/6, the CRE funded 86 organisations that work in local areas, and
among local communities, to promote racial equality and tackle racial
discrimination. These included racial equality councils and partnerships
(RECs and REPs), as well as law centres, housing partnerships and community
organisations. Click
here for more information.
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
KEEP is the Kent Equality Employability Partnership – the
website provides information of projects including
those for ethnic minority and refugee groups. Click
here for more detail.
A national website called
ethnic jobsite provides jobsearch, jobfair and other
useful recruitment and jobsearch information
highlighting
equal opportunities. Click
here for more information.
The Minority Communities Achievement
Service (MCAS) works in partnership with schools,
communities, clusters
of schools, parents, carers, other agencies, children
and young people to improve access to education and
raise achievement of Minority Ethnic and Bilingual
children and young people. Click
here for more details.
Day Care for older people from
ethnic minority backgrounds in Medway. Click
here for more details.
Easier Ways of Returning
Library Materials
The Society of Chief Librarians have agreed that
children and young people who are Travellers, looked-after
or refugees/asylum-seekers – and their parents
or carers – can return library materials to
any library in the UK (also without any overdue charges
being made), and that the library will then make
arrangements to return the items to the originating
library free-of-charge.This decision also ties in
to the work currently being developed by the Social
Exclusion Unit on “Disadvantaged people who
move frequently.”
Source: http://www.gypsy-traveller.org/press.htm#library
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. Visitwww.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.
Tonbridge & Malling Access Group (TMAG) Seeks Volunteers
The TMAG is an organisation that seeks to improve access for disabled people to public transport, outdoor facilities and other services throughout the borough. Those interested in volunteering to help the TMAG can call either 01732 358747 or 01732 771365 or email tmag@pkshoey.fsnet.co.uk.
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
Mencap’s Gateway Awards
Mencap's Gateway Award can offer an exciting range of activites and opportunities to give young people the confidence and skills to reach their goals. Aimed at anyone who is 13 or over, the Award is particularly suitable for young people with a learning disability. They can take part in three different awards - bronze, silver and gold. Young people usually take the bronze award first, and the silver and gold later on. It is also possible to enter the silver and gold awards directly. Young people have to complete five sections when they take part in each award: Hobbies, Service, Adventure Challenge, Physical Recreation and Lifestyle. To find out more visit http://www.mencap.org.uk/gatewayaward, call 0121 707 7877 or email gateway.award@mencap.org.uk
New Online Access Guide Available for Sevenoaks Disabled People
Sevenoaks District Council have launched an online guide to help disabled people find out about the accessibility of a range of different local venues including restaurants, bars, train stations, libraries, council offices, leisure and entertainment facilities and tourist attractions. The guide was put together by the organisation DisabledGo who visited around 1,000 local establishments to assess their accessibility for people with a range of impairments. Click here to access the guide.
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
Directgov Click
here to see information for disabled people provided
by Directgov, the supplier of public services information.
NATSPEC provides a website
with listings for specialist independent colleges
providing further education and training for people
with
learning disabilities and/or disabilities http://www.natspec.org.uk/
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
Downloadable Video of the
Deafblind Manual Alphabet
Sense is a UK charity for deafblind children and
adults. The National Deafblind Awareness week was
held from June 25th – July 1st. As a result
the charity produced Finger Lingo which is a downloadable
video of the deafblind manual alphabet. The manual
alphabet is one method of communication used by people
who are both deaf and blind. Letters and words are
spelt out on the hand and the alphabet is very easy
to learn. To visit the Sense website and to view
a downloadable video of the deafblind manual alphabet
visit http://www.sense.org.uk/fingerlingo
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/
Support for Pupils with Dyslexia
The ‘No to Failure’ project was launched
in the London Borough of Southwark during May, aiming
to ensure that children with dyslexia get support
at school. The project has identified ‘trailblazer’ schools
and local authorities offering good practice in meeting
the needs of students with dyslexia. Through these ‘trailblazers’ the
project plans to deliver the following:
• Champion specialist
dyslexia training for teachers;
• Develop examples of good practice which can be extended
locally and nationally; and
• Forge stronger partnerships with dyslexia charities
and businesses to provide quality support and education
for dyslexia pupils.
Kent Outdoor Pursuits Disability
Project
Kent Outdoor Pursuits Disability Project seeks to
increase access to the outdoor, rural environment
through the development of facilities and activities
which open up opportunities for disabled people to
enjoy the countryside and take part in less formal
sports. Visit http://www.kentsport.org/disability_sportslink.cfm for more details.
Visit the skillnet group
website that explains the ‘person-centred’ approach to supporting people with
learning disabilities. The not for profit company is led by people
with learning disabilities and covers aspects of living such as housing
and education. Click
here for more information.
For a listing of disability support groups in the Canterbury area,
please click
here.
For a listing of general support groups in West Kent, click
here.
The service, which is part of Kent County Council, provides a range
of services including job coaches and other workbased support to people
with disabilities who may require support to obtain, or retain, employment.
The service also offers diversity support to employers.
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
Relief for Carers Under ‘New Deal’
As part of the Government’s ‘New Deal for Carers’ £53,000 is now available to support carers in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in crisis or emergency situations. The money means that free short-term home-based care is available to give carers a break in case of family crisis.
The Chairman of the royal borough's Carers Partnership Board, Ed Thompson said: "This particular £53k has been allocated based on a message we got from carers - what they want is help in crisis and emergency situations, like when a carer is taken ill or when they have to go to hospital."
The money is a welcome boost for the estimated 11,233 carers in the Royal Borough which has had its government grant for carers cut by 5% over the last two years. The new funds become available from October.
Source: icberkshire website, 10th August 2007
The Council has a site that is designed by young carers for young carers.
The site provides a discussion forum and information and links of interest
to young carers. Click on the link to access www.kentyoungcarers.org.uk
For a listing of general support groups in West Kent, click
here.
Support Groups
Dartford
121 Caring: 121 supports young people aged 6 to 16, who are caring or
helping to care for a relative with an illness, a disability or a mental
health problem. The project offers young carers a 'listening ear'; help
with getting access to support, benefits and information; and activities
and respite breaks. The weblink to this service is currently not operational.
West Kent : Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks, Edenbridge
Carer’s First
Carers of people with mental health problems, such as schizophrenia,
bipolaraffective disorder and depression.
. Carers of people with dementia.
. Carers of young adults with a disability.
. Siblings of cared-for children. www.carersfirst.org.uk or telephone 01732 357555
Back to top SUPPORT FOR OLDER PEOPLE/OLDER WORKERS
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 methods 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
Age Discrimination One Year On
At the start of October, the Employers Forum on Age (EFA) published research about the current state of age discrimination nationwide. Headline results were as follows:
86% of people across Britain know that age discrimination is illegal, compared with 51% last year.
59% of workers (equating to 16 million people) have observed ageist behaviour in the workplace compared with 61% last year.
45% of respondents identified ageism as affecting anyone of any age
33% believed that it only affects older people.
92% of people believe they should have the right to work for as long as they choose if they are able to do a job
21% of people thought their employer would not give them this right.
Click here to go through to our website for further details.
Source: www.efa.org.uk; www.onrec.com; HR Look website, 8th October 2007
For a listing of general support groups in West
Kent, click
here.
Brighter Futures
These services may help your older clients in terms
of volunteering opportunities or clients who have older
relatives and friends who may be in need of additional
support.
Services offered by Brighter Futures, include bringing
together older volunteers and people over 75 who need
support, for the benefit of both. The scheme, which
is co-ordinated by Kent County Council Adult Services,
has seven projects in Kent, across Ashford, Tonbridge
and Malling, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks and Maidstone,
and the aim in the future is to go county-wide.
Brighter Futures projects in the area:
Apart from its befriending service, Sevenoaks also
offers volunteer transport to enable people to get
out and about. Ashford: advice which guides older people to the right
service for them; befriending and support; and advocacy
- speaking up for older people who find it hard to
speak up for themselves. Tonbridge and Malling: pop-in clubs in East Malling,
Snodland and Tonbridge where there are exercise classes,
alternative therapies, art and craft sessions and plenty
of things to do, as well as six assisted trips a week
to Asda at Kings Hill, helping 50 people a week do
their shopping. Tunbridge Wells: befriending, assistance to guide older
people to the right service for them, and help with
tasks in and out of the home such as filling in forms
or accompanying people to appointments. Maidstone: one project reminds people to take their
medication, particularly when it has recently been
changed. Other projects include exercise classes, shopping
trips, a befriending service with weekly phone calls
to 250 people, information and advice, and a transport
service.
For information about the Campaign Against Age
Discrimination in employment, see http://www.caade.net/
Focus
on the Older Workforce: Helping people make mid-life
decisions in the Thames Gateway Adults over 45 who live or work in the Thames
Gateway area of Kent and Medway now have a choice
in the way they access specialist careers guidance.
As well as the Tick Tock funded Career Change Centre
virtual service at http://www.careerchangecentre.org.uk featured in the July issue of LMI, there is also
a personal face to face Career Change Centre funded
by the Medway Council Prime Advantage EQUAL partnership
project. The Career Change Centre is based in Gillingham
but covers the whole of the Kent and Medway Thames
Gateway. It offers individual on-going careers
guidance, skills assessment and a variety of workshops
to people over 45 whether employed or unemployed.
Support is also available to organisations seeking
advice on re-skilling their workforce.
For more information tel. 01634 571871 Volunteering for Older People The WRVS are 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. The WRVS are particularly
looking for older volunteers to get involved
in
WRVS activities - visit http://www.wrvs.org.uk for more information. A list of older-friendly
organisations is provided on the VITA website.
Please see http://www.vitavolunteering.org.uk for
more information.
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
Age
Discrimination
The new guidance from ACAS is available from their
website, http://www.acas.org.uk or on the orderline
on 08702 429090.
Source: GNN 27/04/06
Third Age Employment Network (TAEN)
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.
TAEN works with:
Individuals managing career development,
job change and job search and seeking new training
opportunities;
employers and recruitment agencies retaining
and recruiting people of all ages in response
to demographic change;
public policy bodies at national, regional
and local level;
academics, researchers, students of labour
markets,
demographics, lifelong learning, health and
pensions;
trainers and guidance workers delivering
life long training and advice;
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
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
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
The Early Years Foundation Stage framework published
The DfES has published the Early Years Foundation
Stage (EYFS) framework, setting the standards for
development, learning and care of children from
0 to 5 years old. The framework has been produced
after consulting with early learning professionals
and parents and replaces the non-statutory Birth
to Three Matters guidance, the Foundation Stage
curriculum for 3 and 4 year olds and national standards
for daycare. The underpinning principles of the
framework are that each child should be treated
as unique and children should be in loving and
secure relationships and environments in which
they can learn and develop at their own pace and
with enjoyment.
All registered early
years’ providers and
schools will be required to use the EYFS from September
2008.
The EYFS will also be published as an online tool,
with practical demonstrations showing people how
they can use the framework in a way that is tailored
to the needs of individual children in their care,
and carry out the planning that will ensure every
child benefits from it. The framework is available
online at: http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/eyfs
Source: GNN, 13th March 2007
Scroll down for links to childcare
providers by area.
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
Childcare Provider Links
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.
