A new programme aimed at helping people in North East Lincolnshire into work is hailing a team of key workers as the secret to its early success.
The employment support key worker team is a new and unique way of supporting the long term unemployed. So far the team of six have worked with almost 300 people, with 35 of those who were claiming out of work benefit, now in full time employment.
Key workers are North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC) staff who live in the local communities that they represent so they are familiar with the help available.
Support is offered on a variety of matters and can include anything from lack of confidence, low self-esteem, drug and alcohol problems to offending behaviour.
The key worker team was set up as part of the Change programme after NELC received Working Neighbourhoods Funding (WNF). WNF is awarded to deprived areas around the UK to reduce the level of unemployment and increase enterprise. Already tackling North East Lincolnshire’s level of unemployment, the team is doing just that.
One client was previously unemployed and was introduced to his key worker buddy after working on another project. His key worker discovered he was dyslexic which was preventing him from gaining his preferred job as a builder. He has been signed up to numeracy and literacy courses which, once completed, will allow him to take his CSCS card and safety passport - both essential for a career in the building trade.
Matthew Benton, employment support key worker manager for NELC, said: “We meet with people on a regular basis in a community location which is convenient to them. We understand that everyone is different and, as such, we tailor the support to each individual.
“The team of key workers consist of people who are committed to making a real difference to the lives of people on the Change programme. They take some of the pain out of the journey towards gaining employment, while at the same time, helping people to understand the mountains of information that they are bombarded with.
"The success so far of the key worker team has shown that North East Lincolnshire’s approach to helping people into employment, is really working, and is set to continue over the coming years."