Brighton Scheme Providing Model Service
Brighton and Hove’s innovative family service, ‘Phoenix Futures’, has provided the model for changes proposed by the Cabinet Office in their recently published ‘Think Family’ report. The report explains how adult services will provide support to whole families, rather than just to individuals, in order to prevent problems from passing down to children from their parents. It also announces a £16m programme of local pilots. Phoenix Futures is a leading provider of care and rehabilitation services for people with drug and alcohol problems in the UK, including family services. The Brighton Family Service provides a six-month residential rehabilitation programme for single mothers and fathers, couples and pregnant women who wish to address their substance misuse issues whilst continuing to live with and care for their children.
Source: GNN, 10th January 2008
Support for Adults to Get Online
From January, trained staff at myguide centres
across the South East will offer one-to-one support
in trying out the internet and sending an email
for the first time. By phoning free on 0800 015
8815, people will be given details of the nearest
myguide centre, where they can access the service.
Details of the myguide centres in East and West
Sussex can be found on the Learning
Opportunities pages in this bulletin.
The
Hub - Run by
Connexions Sussex, the Hub has links and information
of use to anyone working
with young people in the region. Sections include
a searchable directory of services and organisations
for young people in Sussex, a knowledge section
for advisers and support workers, as well as
news, jobs and training info. Click
here to visit the home page of the website.
Support Services - Information for Sussex
ICIS is an information ‘bank’ helping
people in West Sussex find information through
difficult or challenging circumstances, and enabling
people to find care, support or advice services.
The service operates a telephone and text helpline
on 0800 859929 for enquiries as well as the website,
http://www.icis-info4life.org.uk/index.htm
Support services can be searched for on the East
Sussex Community Information Service (ESCIS), which
is a computer database of local and community information
developed and managed by the Libraries, Information
and Arts service of East Sussex County Council
in association with Brighton and Hove Libraries.
It can be accessed at www.escis.org.uk/index.asp.
Entries are updated annually so call the organisation
to check details.
GETTING BACK TO WORK / BENEFITS
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 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
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
Up-Skilling Plans for Unemployed
In anticipation of a decline in the number of unskilled jobs available in the UK the government is undertaking a massive ‘up-skilling’ programme. A ‘skills health check’ for the long-term unemployed will be introduced in an attempt to reduce worklessness with benefits claimants being tested to determine their levels of literacy, numeracy and language skills and offered appropriate remedial action - the test will become mandatory for those on unemployment benefit for more than six months.
The “16 hour a week rule” which bans benefit claimants from studying for any longer will be scrapped so that claimants over six months can take up full time study and all Incapacity Benefit claimants under 25 will be eligible for the Pathways to Work programme, which includes regular interviews with advisors.
Source: Brighton Business, 29th November 2007
Princes Trust – provides
practical support, training, mentoring and assistance
for unemployed and self-employed young people under
30. Visit http://www.princes-trust.org.uk for information
about the charity, as well as the Common Cause
pages for those working with young people. Contact
the local branch on 01273 723399 or email Bussuss@princes-trust.org.uk.
Or call free on 0800 842 842 and you will automatically
be redirected to your nearest office. You can also
contact the South East Regional Office:
The Prince's Trust
South East Regional Office
Moor Park House
Moor Park Lane
Farnham GU10 1QS
01252 891330 or office.farnham@princes-trust.org.uk
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.
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
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 6677
Source: 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.
Startup Co
Startup Co delivers services throughout West Sussex
to pre-start, start-up and established businesses,
by offering free advisory sessions and affordable
business training, delivered by both male and female
consultants and trainers.
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
Self-employment/business support:
£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
Recycling for Small Businesses
Lewes District Council has produced a guide for
small businesses about how to recycle paper,
cardboard and glass, as well as computers, printer
cartridges and mobile phones. ‘Recycling
for Small Businesses - A Rough Guide’ also
gives advice about the duty to ensure waste carriers
are properly licensed. Copies can be obtained
by calling 01273 486619 or visiting recyclenow.com
Newhaven
Enterprise Gateway
The Newhaven Enterprise Gateway provides a complete
range of services and support for people who
are thinking of starting or have recently started
a business. They help people gain access to training,
business advice, local mentors, funding, new
contacts and business networks as well as giving
them free and impartial local advice. The Gateway
supports all types of businesses including locally
trading lifestyle businesses, social enterprise
and actively supports under-represented groups.
Newhaven Enterprise Gateway has recently been
awarded national 'Flagship' status at the Prowess
Annual International Conference. The Prowess
Flagship is a quality standard for supporting
women in enterprise through business support
or a network, and is already held by Faringdon
Enterprise Gateway and Slough Enterprise Gateway.
Denton Island Training and Business Centre
Newhaven
East Sussex
England
BN9 9BN
Phone 01273 612927
Email: info@newhavengateway.com
Sussex Enterprise, the regional Business Link
offering practical advice to businesses, provides
free Small Business Reviews as well as other services
for new businesses. See http://www.sussexenterprise.co.uk/ for more information.
For a calendar of upcoming events run by Sussex
Enterprise see www.sussexenterprise.co.uk/eventsDiary.jsp
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.
Websites to help businesses include:
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
http://www.j4b.co.uk/- website on which you can
search for grants and loans for your business.
Business Events
MicroBiz
Horsham’s annual MicroBiz fair - an event aimed at helping upcoming entrepreneurs - will be held on Saturday 15th March 2008 - 10am
till 4pm - at the Drill Hall. For more information
contact the Horsham Council's Business Development
Officer at business.development@horsham.gov.uk or by call Chris Baister on 01403 215542.
Newhaven
Breakfast Club - A weekly
breakfast club run by the town’s chamber of
commerce, for businesses and new starters to network.
Chat to suppliers and customers in a relaxed and
friendly environment, with weekly guest speakers.
Visit http://www.newhavenchamber.co.uk/Breakfast_Club for more information.
City
Business Club – The
Argus newspaper and City College Brighton and
Hove have teamed
up to launch a monthly breakfast club for business
people in the area. Membership is free and the
club is flexible so members can attend as they
see fit. The aim is to provide a structured personal
development programme, with three two-hour sessions
devoted to specific subject groups. To join, call
01273 667756.
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
SEEDA launches Women's Enterprise website
SEEDA and its partners have launched the Women’s Enterprise website. This supports the aim of releasing the potential of women's enterprise in the South East. As well as making a significant contribution to the competitiveness of the South East, this will transform the lives of individual women, their families and communities particularly in disadvantaged areas.
An online version of SEEDA’s Women's Business Support Directory, updated from 2005), is also available. Follow the link here to view the site http://www.womensenterprisesoutheast.co.uk
Women’s
Business Development Agency
The Women’s Business Development Agency
was set up in 1990 to help promote, support and
develop female-run businesses and to help women
get into work. For more information visit http://www.wbda.co.uk
Everywoman
Everywoman provides resources and support services
for women in business. For further information
visit http://www.everywoman.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/
DAWN
DAWN (Dynamic Asian Women's Network) is the hub
where dynamic professional and entrepreneurial
Asian women connect, engage and explore ideas
and opportunities to expand their horizons.
Visit http://www.mydawn.co.uk for more information.
Women In Media
The Women In Media initiative aims to increase
and support women in the Sussex digital media
workforce. It will address barriers to employment
and career development and benefit women of all
ages through a range of activities including:
• Workshops
• Training Seminars
• Networking Events
•Mentoring and Advice
The Women In Media initiative was developed and
is managed by Wired Sussex. Visit http://www.womeninmedia.co.uk,
or check out the Industry
Focus for more information
about the Audio and Visual Industries.
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 higer 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)
Click
here to visit the Government’sWomen
and Equality Unit
Women in Business,
Sussexhttp://www.wib-sussex.co.uk/is
a not-for-profit, non-political, voluntary
network for women in business. The organisation
started in Haywards Heath in the early
1990s, and there are now seven branches
in Sussex, Kent and Essex. This WiB (Sussex)
site covers the 3 Sussex branches: Brighton & Hove,
Crawley and Horsham.
Women’s Wisdom in partnership with
West Sussex County Council, University
of Surrey and the European Community European
Social Fund, are launching a women’s
enterprise programme and ‘first steps’ network
specifically for women who want to work
for themselves, but are unsure where to
start.
Telephone: 0800 781 8597
Email: enquiries@womenswisdom.co.uk
Website: www.womenswisdom.co.uk
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
Support Groups for BME Young People
New support groups for young people from black, minority ethnic communities are being created by East Sussex Council’s Youth Development Service. The first group will be set up in the Eastbourne area. It is hoped that further groups will follow, including one for the Lewes district. The Council’s BME Young People’s Support Worker, Jed Murray, said the new groups would be an additional service for BME young people aged 13–19, not a replacement for existing mainstream youth groups. He stressed that although integration and community cohesion are very important the Council recognise that for some attending mainstream youth clubs may be difficult. Anyone interested in finding out more about the group should contact Jed Murray on 07825 926550 or email jed.murray@eastsussex.gov.uk
Source: East Sussex County Council, 11th 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
Sompriti is an organisation
that works towards the empowerment of black and
minority ethnic people in Lewes district, Eastbourne
and Wealden district.
It provides community work, training, employment
and development opportunities as well as promoting
racial equality.
Contact Ila Mazumdar, Co-ordinator on 01273 477550
or via email ila@sompriti.com
66 High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1XG info@sompriti.com
ICIS is an information ‘bank’ helping
people in West Sussex find information through difficult
or challenging circumstances, and enabling people
to find care, support or advice services. The service
operates a telephone and text helpline on 0800 859929
for enquiries as well as the website, http://www.icis-info4life.org.uk/index.htm
Support services can be searched for on the East
Sussex Community Information Service (ESCIS), which
is a computer database of local and community information
developed and managed by the Libraries, Information
and Arts service of East Sussex County Council
in association with Brighton and Hove Libraries.
It can be accessed at www.escis.org.uk/index.asp.
DTI launches Ethnic Minority Business Task Force
The DTI has launched an Ethnic Minority Business
Task force to encourage BME companies to grow.
A recent DTI survey, 'Finance For Small And Medium-Sized
Enterprises: Comparisons of Ethnic Minority And
White-Owned Businesses' found that BME firms
often face barriers to obtaining finance:
• Businesses with
Black African and Black Caribbean owners are
much more likely to be refused
loans than businesses with Indian, Pakistani and
White owners
• On average, ethnic minority-owned businesses pay
higher bank loan charges than white-owned businesses
• For Black African and Pakistani-owned businesses
there is a significantly greater gap between the
amounts of business finance sought and the amounts
agreed
Discrepancies can be
partly explained by standard business risk factors
and factors such as the age
of businesses and available collateral against
loans, but not entirely – especially relating
to margins paid on loans and gaps in financing.
Minister for Industry and Regions Margaret Hodge
said:
"Over the next two
years the new Task Force will propose ways to
encourage more ethnic minority
participation in enterprise. It will also reach
out to potential entrepreneurs in under-represented
BME groups, including ethnic minority women, looking
to help remove the barriers to doing business which
face them."
The Chair of the Task
Force will be Adeeba Malik MBE, Deputy CEO at
QED – UK and Tom Riordan,
Chief Executive at Yorkshire Regional Development
Agency Yorkshire Forward will be deputy.
The Taskforce Chair and Deputy Chair will announce
further details about the membership and projected
work of the Task Force in the autumn.
The DTI survey, 'Finance For Small And Medium-Sized
Enterprises: Comparisons of Ethnic Minority And
White-Owned Businesses' is available at: http://www.dti.gov.uk/files/file39925.pdf
Source: GNN, 19th June 2007
Handbook and Network For Forced Marriage
Survivors
The government’s forced marriage unit offers a support network and handbook for
victims of forced marriage. The unit handles around
5,000 enquiries each year, and helps to rescue
around 300 women, children and men trapped in abusive
forced marriages per year. 15% of cases involve
men and 30% of cases involve minors.
The handbook offers
practical help and information for the survivors
of forced marriages and the survivors’ network, offered
in partnership with Karma
Nirvana (an NGO dealing with forced marriages), it aims to offer long-term emotional support.
The survivors’ handbook
can be found by clicking here
Source: GNN, 8th May 2007
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
Support to those providing services to people from ethnic minority communities
Support for accessing education services
is provided by the English as an Additional
Language Service;
c/o Marshlands School
Marshfoot Lane
Hailsham BN27 2PH
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
Click
here for information from East Sussex
County Council about education for travellers
Friends,
Families and Travellers – a
national voluntary organisation (non-profit)
working with the traveller community
Community Base
113 Queens Base,
Brighton,
East Sussex BN1 3XG
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
Older People’s Engagement Day
East Sussex County Council and the East Sussex Seniors’ Association recently ran an ‘Older People’s Engagement Day’ to improve the communication between local decision makers and older residents in the county. During the event East Sussex Seniors’ Association identified eight issues of greatest concern and interest to older people:
Better support for older people returning to work, and accommodation of flexible working patterns.
The use of health MOT style tests and other ‘early warning’ screening tests designed to identify potential problems.
Funding for lifelong learning opportunities.
Better community involvement and the breaking down of barriers between generations.
Better communication between agencies to support vulnerable members of the community.
Having access to a range of different types of transport initiatives and the free bus pass system to meet different needs.
The importance of respite services for carers, including emergency respite.
A panel of elected councillors and executives from various relevant bodies responded to questions on these subjects with their thoughts and comments. The day ended with the Council’s Chairman, Councillor Bob Lacey, OBE, officially launching the ‘Time of Our Lives’ Strategy – a plan for improving and promoting quality of later life in East Sussex 2008 to 2011. The Strategy is aimed at bridging a wide range of areas that concern older people.
Represented at the event were the NHS; the Sussex Police; the Department of Work and Pensions; the Learning and Skills Council and the County Council’s departments for Transport and Environment; Adult Social Care and Communications and Policy.
Source: East Sussex County Council, 10th March 2008
Older People's Directory Launched
A new comprehensive list of services for older people living in Crawley has been launched by Crawley Borough Council. The 36-page ‘Directory of Services for Older People in Crawley’ lists groups, organisations and charities that offer services, advice and information. It includes well known organisations like Age Concern Crawley but also has 11 pages dedicated to smaller groups, including 4Sight; Crawley Silver Jaye Stroke Club; Crawley Volunteer Centre; St Andrew's Friendship Club; Sussex Deaf Association; West Sussex Association for Disabled People; and many more. The publication has been funded by Crawley Borough Council, following the Services for Older People Best Value Review and is available at the Town Hall; libraries; surgeries; and sheltered housing schemes.
Source: Crawley Borough Council, 10th December 2007
Is The Government Failing The Elderly?
Around two thirds of older people believe the government are not doing enough to combat ageism, according to a survey by Help the Aged. Many of the1,321 over 60’s questioned wanted an outright ban on age discrimination, with others saying they faced a daily barrage of incidents of ageism.
Help the Aged has recently launched its Just Equal Treatment campaign to put ageism on equal footing with racism and sexism. The charity is calling for the Single Equality Bill to include a ban on age discrimination to cover the provision of goods, facilities and services.
Last year ageism at work for people under 65 was outlawed. However, the Government’s Discrimination Law Review is consulting on whether further steps are necessary. Help the Aged presented 450 responses to the Government’s Discrimination Law Review earlier this month.
Source: BBC online, 3rd September 2007
For information about the Campaign Against Age
Discrimination in employment, see http://www.caade.net/
TAEN
The Age and Employment Network (TAEN, formerly
Third Age Employment Network) gives help for
over 50’s looking for work 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.
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;
The media.
Volunteering
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. 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. A list of older-friendly organisations
is provided on the VITA website.
Please see http://www.wrvs.org.uk/vita/home.htm 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/volunteering.htm
Age Concern is the UK’s
largest organization 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.
Please see below for the main Age Concern offices
in Sussex
Age Concern East Sussex (ACES)
The East Sussex branch of the charity is based
in Lewes. It also runs an Advocacy Service from
this office. http://www.ageconcern-eastsussex.org.uk
54 Cliffe High Street, Lewes, BN7 2AN
01273 476704
Age Concern: Eastbourne
Working with and for older people in Eastbourne.
The William and Patricia Venton Centre Junction
Road, Eastbourne, BN21 3QY
01323 638474 http://www.ageconcerneastbourne.co.uk
Age Concern: Brighton, Hove and Portslade (ACBHP)
An independent charity which seeks to improve the
quality of life of all older people in the town. http://www.ageconcernbrighton-hove.org.uk
29-31 Prestonville Road, Brighton, BN1 3TJ
01273 720603
East Sussex County Council
has launched a series of forums for older people
as part of their strategy
to get more older people involved in the improvement
of public services across the board. The council
will be working closely with several key organisations
to achieve the strategy, including Age Concern
and Mind. The forums are: Rother Seniors’ Forum,
Meridian Coast and Downs Mature Citizens’ Community
Forum, Seaford Seniors’ Forum, Lewes and
District Coalition of Older People, Wealden Senior
Citizen’s Partnership.
For further information
about this work and the Strategy for Involving
Older People in Improving
Public Services and the local older people’s
forums contact Vicky Smith, Older People’s
Involvement Officer with the County Council on
01273 482036 or email vicky.smith@eastsussex.gov.uk.
Source: www.eastsussex.gov.uk, 18/04/06
60+ Action Group
Enabling older people to have their say. http://www.sixtyplus.org
28/29 Western Road, Hove, BN3 1ND
01273 779888
Impact Initiatives
Provides services across Sussex to support people's
health, independence and learning. http://www.impact-initiatives.org.uk
Brighthelm North Road, Brighton, BN1 1YD
01273 821914
Use the Brighton and Hove Community and Voluntary
Sector Forum search to find action and support
groups for Older People in the Brighton and Hove
area.For further information, visit http://cvsectorform.org.uk
http://www.ipicthat.com, a programme that combines words, images, and most importantly, sounds, to help build and retain reading vocabulary has been launched by a 49-year-old man living in Hastings. Marcus Burns, originally from New Zealand arrived in the South East in 1998 to work as a builder. A year later a head-on car collision left him with severe injuries which meant he had to give up his trade. Marcus, who could not read or write, started English classes at Hastings College four years ago and, with the help of a tutor, he has designed ‘Picture That’ to help others with the condition.
Marcus has received help from East Sussex Enterprise Hub, who introduced him to potential investors and a range of organisations involved in dyslexia. He was also put in touch with University of Brighton media graduates who had formed a company called Di8it, who took on the development of the website. After four years of work, ‘Picture That’ went online in October. More than 1,000 people have signed up. Marcus sees potential to build revenue through the website by offering relevant companies the opportunity to sponsor illustrated words. For example, the words bath' and bathroom' now have a link to a bathroom design company.
Source: The Argus (Business), 26th February 2008
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
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
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
For information about post-16 opportunities
and services for young people with disabilities,
visithttp://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
Access to Work
Access to Work (ATW) provides support for employees
with disabilities and their employers, to help
them overcome any obstacles in the workplace
as a result of their disability. For more information
on ATW click
here
UK Signs New Human Rights Convention for Disabled
People The UK was one of the
first countries to sign the United Nations Convention
on Disability Rights
in March. Minister for Disabled People, Anne McGuire,
igned the Convention at a ceremony at the UN in
New York. The Convention covers items such as disabled
people’s rights to education, employment
and participation in political and public life.
Ms McGuire said: "I am proud to be able to
sign the Convention for the UK… But it's
not just our citizens who will benefit from this.
There are around 650 million disabled people worldwide
who stand to see an improvement in their lives
too - especially in the developing world where
80% of the world's disabled population live. This
Convention at last puts disabled people's human
rights on an equal footing with everyone else's."
Source: GNN, 29th March 2007
Click
here to see information for disabled people provided
by Directgov, the provider 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
National agencies offering
support to people with disabilities include:
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
visithttp://www.disabledgo.info/Default.asp
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/
ODI Research Published About Independent Living
The Office for Disability Issues (ODI) has published
research Better outcomes, lower costs summarising
existing evidence relating to savings to social
and health care budgets that can be attained
by investing in housing adaptations in addition
to the benefits that individuals and wider society
experience through independent living.
The report 'Better outcomes,
lower costs', by Frances Heywood and Lynn Turner
at the University
of Bristol, is office-for-disability-issues@dwp.gsi.gov.uk.
Source: GNN, 10th May 2007
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.
The government is offering £900,000
in funding to be matched by charitable contributions
in cash
or kind to launch 'No to Failure' as an independent,
managed project. The first pilot project is in
the London Borough of Southwark.
Source: GNN, 15th May 2007
Ready, Willing and Able’s
website has information about work for disabled
people, and job vacancies.
For further details, visit http://www.readywillingable.net
Royal Association for
Disability and Rehabilitation – Tel:
020 7250 3222
Website: http://www.radar.org.uk
NATSPEC is a member association for specialist
independent colleges catering for people with learning
difficulties and disabilities. For further information,
see http://www.natspec.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/
Post 16 opportunities and services for young people with an impairment or disability can be found at http://www.after16.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
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
Disability Equals Business – a
Sussex-based business providing support for businesses
to embrace
diversity, as well as free confidential advice
and support on disability issues in the workplace.
