GM Public Service Reform

Working Well: Local integration

Kate Smith : Chief Executives Department, Bolton Council

Rachel Ravey: Key Worker, Ingeus

GM Public Service Reform

Strategic Context• Prosperity and narrowing the gap: dual priorities in the

Community Strategy• Sustainable economic growth means equipping all our

residents with the right mix of skills• Supporting those furthest from work in their path to

employment is challenging• Yet, once in sustained work, people live longer, healthier

lives• Early success of Working Well has been a catalyst in

securing devolution agreement.

GM Public Service Reform

Worklessness

Over 13 years, the Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and Incapacity Benefit (IB)

cohort has stayed between 143,000 and

172,000 in GM (currently 14,480 in

Bolton)

13 YEARS

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Working Well• Works with individuals for up to two years• Supports people exiting the Work Programme, on

Employment Support Allowance, into work • Ingeus providing Keyworker role and co-ordinating

referrals in Bolton• Local integration of all other public services, led by local

authority e.g. Health, Housing, Skills etc• Extensive evaluation of client profile incl. location,

presenting issues, support received etc• Early indications are positive but need ongoing and active

engagement of partners

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Ingeus in Bolton• 2 full-time Key Worker, Rachel Ravey and Kelly Robinson

Partnerships Manager: Stuart Duffey• Mental Health Advisor, and Physical Health Advisor. Also

a Work and Wellbeing Coach• Key Workers based in Central Library. Operating health

appointments and group sessions at Lever Chambers. • Co-located at Halliwell and Farnworth UCAN. Also used

for group session and 121 appointments• Support includes 121 and group support, bespoke action

plans, range of interventions and in-work support delivered by key worker, senior professionals and referrals.

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Referrals in Bolton• 114 clients enrolled in Bolton (1167 in GM at end of October). • Common barriers presented :

o Mental Health Problems (depression/anxiety) (73%)o Physical health problems, e.g muscular skeletal conditions (65%)o Bereavement (27%)o Debt 22%o Few skills and qualifications (31%)

• Local service referrals include Community Housing, RSL specific services, Local Welfare Provision, Money Skills, Think Positive, BIDAS, One Point, College.

• We have engaged with many partners and services but still need to talk to others about the programme

• To date, 6 clients secured employment as a result of the programme- may more ‘stabilised’.

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Client profile- October Headlines• Gender: roughly equal split

• Majority aged 35+ years. 17% under 24 (higher than GM av.) 84% White British

• 72% single

• 69% no children

• 68% live in social rented; 13% private rented

• 31% not worked for 11+ years; 19% never worked

• 48% no qualifications

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Case Study 1- partnership working in action!Client Profile:

• 23 years old; female; living with partner.

• Health conditions include: depression and anxiety

• Lives in Bolton at Home property in Farnworth

• Client has never worked. Volunteers at The Well

Challenges:

Client and her partner had significant problems managing their money e.g paying out all their quarterly bills at once leaving no funds for ‘day to day’ essentials. Lead to reliance on Farnworth & Kearsley Foodbank

This was increasing client anxiety

Support given:

Money Skills worked with the client (accompanied initially by Key Worker) to develop payment plan and begin to equip client with skills to manage money

Key Worker and Work and Wellbeing worker supported client to develop her confidence and share her positive volunteering experiences with other

Resolution/Next steps:•Key worker identified client struggling to manage her day to day life and her own welfare. Worked with client to agree to social services assessment.•Continued support from Key worker and partner agencies• Client gained in confidence enough to give a presentation to Ingeus staff on benefits of volunteering and work of the Food bank. DWP have asked her to give a presentation to their staff.

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Case Study 2Client Profile:

• 23 years old; male; single and living alone.

• Health conditions: sickle cell anaemia.

• Lives in Bolton at Home property

• Volunteers at the Octagon

• Client never worked until now. Secured employment at Poundland.

Challenges: •Health condition stabilised.•Client aspired to do a drama course. Very positive experience volunteering. •Unable to look for work due to lack of documentation.

Support given•Client supported by Key Worker to get ‘leave to remain’ documents.•Client obtained functional Maths and English. Key Worker and others worked with client to build his confidence, develop his CV, interview skills etc•Client secured employment for 16 hours a week at Poundland•Client now studying Drama at Bolton College

Resolution/Next steps:• Client struggling to get finances in place to manage new work/study arrangements•Client/Key Worker trying to arrange Tax Credits but unable to contact anyone•Client is anxious that his new job will lead to rent arrears

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Case Studies

• Are we missing something?

• What other/different interventions might support the client?

• Could your service further help the client?

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How you can help

• Communicate the programme across your organisation

• Share with us suitable services/referral routes for these clients

• Consider offering an opportunity for someone out of work e.g. voluntary placement

• Anything else?