Education and training services

Tender description

Step by Step has been delivered since May 2012 within Kirklees. Following on from a small scale pilot project, originally the provision was commissioned in response to a growing need for voluntary neighbourhood based outreach provision and rising unemployment figures in many of the disadvantaged communities. The provision must ensure that: — Step By Step provides an accessible community based gateway to the complex Employment and Skills landscape. — Step By Step offers maximum benefit to the residents of Kirklees. — Step By Step provides strategic intelligence for the Council to use in a co-ordination and influencing capacity. Proposals were invited by the Council of the Borough of Kirklees (the “Council”) from shortlisted Capable Delivery Partners currently on “Category 4 – Employability Provision” of the Council’s Dynamic Purchasing System for the Provision of Education, Training, Employment and Lifelong Learning (REF:KMCIRS-064). Step by Step has been delivered since May 2012 within Kirklees. Following on from a small scale pilot project, originally the provision was commissioned in response to a growing need for voluntary neighbourhood based outreach provision and rising unemployment figures in many of the disadvantaged communities. The Step by Step community outreach approach has proved to be very successful, and has strong support from Councillors and the communities they represent. Due to a number of changes in the external landscape and within the Council itself, this is an opportunity to refocus the Step by Step provision to ensure that: — Step By Step provides an accessible community based gateway to the complex Employment and Skills landscape. — Step By Step offers maximum benefit to the residents of Kirklees. — Step By Step provides strategic intelligence for the Council to use in a coordination and influencing capacity. Step by Step provision will build on previous good practice to ensure maximum impact. It will be designed to be inclusive to all residents and must help residents to identify barriers that prevent them entering the labour market and signpost to other funded employment and skills support to help with the removal of such barriers. Step by Step should add value and align to mainstream provision; it should not duplicate or displace any other provision available in the district. Where necessary the provision should plug gaps in available employment support. The emphasis will be to inspire participants to realise their full potential and to empower them to have a positive outlook on accessing further learning and work. Therefore, the delivery approach must be economically focused, interactive and engaging to ensure participants gain a deeper understanding of the barriers and positive steps they can make to reduce or eliminate them. The approach should also involve some learning through group workshops (no more than 10 participants in each) and where appropriate individualised through 1:1 coaching to ensure personal reflection and responsibility to undertake follow-up actions as relevant. Step by Step Interventions should be flexible to respond to the needs of individuals but may include: — Initial Assessment and identification of barriers to learning and work (this must be provided for all residents who access provision). — Creation of Job-Search Tools (includes creating CV, cover letters, Universal Job Match accounts). — Digital Access – to create and manage applications and benefit payments. — 1-2-1 supported job applications on Universal Job Match (part of the JSA claimant commitment) or job applications on other websites. — Information, Advice and Guidance – Benefits (including support with benefits sanctions), Learning (exploring course options), Volunteering (exploring local opportunities), Work Experience (Looking at options for individuals to develop their skills and career development). — Referrals to mainstream or other funded support e.g. Jobcentre Plus, Connexions, National Careers Service, Health Services, Housing Support, Employment Support, Learning providers etc. Residents who are close to accessing the labour market should be supported on a one to one basis to find appropriate employment. This may involve personalised employer engagement taking place. For those where basic maths, English and ESOL skills also present a barrier, additional support should be provided to ensure engagement and learning. In addition it is expected that the Provider will facilitate engagement with other fully funded functional skills provision.