ESF BBO Wise Steps Enterprise Support

Tender description

The Wise Group is one of the UK's leading social enterprises, supporting many thousands of people each year from some of our most disadvantaged communities. We unlock the potential of those with the most complex needs and provide the flexible, holistic support people need to live healthier, happier lives Wise Steps was awarded GBP7.2 million by the Big Lottery Fund and the European Social Fund to support people facing barriers to work in Newcastle, Sunderland, Gateshead, North Tyneside and South Tyneside. Wise Steps will target 1950 people in neighbourhoods across the area, to assist people to access employment and work experience opportunities, support them to achieve qualifications and improve their wellbeing and life chances. The programme started in October 2016 and will deliver support until April 2019. It is available to all residents of Tyne and Wear who are of working age, unemployed or economically inactive, and have multiple disadvantages. Specific target groups are: - unemployed people and those who are economically inactive - people with disabilities (physical or mental) - black and minority ethnic (BME) - refugees - ex-offenders - lone parents - over 50s - unpaid carers - care leavers Due to a change in the partnership, we now need to procure a specialist partner to deliver enterprise support to participants. The service should include: - one-to-one as well as group work to generate ideas - one-to-one as well as group work with customers to encourage interest in self employment - provision of skills and qualifications that relate to enterprise - provision of support with marketing, business planning and access to financial support (note there is no financial support available through this project) - long term, one to one support to help move customers into self-employment - guidance and support to coaches on the subject of self-employment We anticipate that between June 2017 until April 2019 support will be delivered to around 100 participants, with intensive support for at least 50 who will move into self employment.