Change programme - help to get back into work

To receive help from Change, an individual must:

• reside in North East Lincolnshire
• be committed to finding sustainable employment in North East Lincolnshire
• be in receipt of a Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) out-of-work benefit (or an unemployed partner of a DWP benefit recipient)
• not be in the Work Programme
• be an be an individual classified as a 'NEET' (not in education, employment or training).
• (Except EMPOWER clients, please see below)

The referral process to the Change programme is through the Jobcentre Plus, so individuals who are interested in the programme should speak to their advisor or call the Jobcentre Plus on 0845 604 3719.

To be eligible for EMPOWER individuals must be:

• aged 18+, currently in prison and due for release having served a sentence for less than 12 months and will not be under statutory probation supervision

Or

• aged 18+ and in the community, North East Lincolnshire resident with a conviction that may be a barrier to employment.

And, in either case:

• be an unemployed individual living in North East Lincolnshire who is in receipt of a DWP out-of-work benefit (or is an unemployed partner of a DWP benefit recipient) at the time of engagement.
   

How we can help

The Change programme offers a broad range of help to individuals who will all need different levels of support to enable them to get back into work. Below are details on all the services offered by the Change programme.

Crosby employment bureau: is based in Grimsby town centre and can provide help to Change clients who are unemployed, but work ready. Crosby can give advice on how to write a high quality CV, search for a job, develop good interviewing techniques and apply for vacancies. Crosby also has strong links with local employers and works closely with North East Lincolnshire Council as part of the service we can provide to inward investors.

Creating work opportunities: the building skills for life project provides supported paid work opportunities, called ILM’s, to unemployed local people for up to six months. The ILM’s give people the chance to be supported back into work by helping them manage and improving their confidence to do things for themselves, rather than relying on agencies to help them. The aim is to provide support to help people change their unemployable habits into employable ones. This can include simple things that we take for granted such as having the determination to get up and get ready and also gives individuals the chance to develop other skills essential for work.

Stepping forward to work: focuses support on individuals disadvantaged by disability and factors resulting from their disability, residing in deprived areas of North East Lincolnshire. The service provides courses to help their clients gain the skills necessary for them to compete in the job market and overcome barriers relating to physical health, money management, emotional and mental health, confidence building and accommodation.

EMPOWER: offers help to local residents who are unemployed ex-offenders and residents currently in prison and due for release to North East Lincolnshire. The project aims to better coordinate all of the services and support that exists for offenders and ex-offenders in the borough. Through better coordination of the existing support this can help individuals address the barriers they face in finding and staying in paid employment.

OWEN: the OWEN (Older workers employment network) project provides employment support to those aged 45 and over through a programme of activity designed to tackle the specific issues and barriers encountered by older job seekers. OWEN offers a client centred service to individuals including guidance, as and when required, to support them through every aspect of their job search and application and identify those then ready to make the transition into employment.

Employment support key worker team: offers direct support to those who need more intensive help to get back into employment and have been in receipt of an out-of-work benefit for a minimum of three months and face two or more of the following social barriers:

• Childcare issues
• Carers issues
• Offending
• Managing debt
• Drug and alcohol misuse
• Physical health issues
• Emotional and mental health issues
• Complex housing problems
• Lacking in self confidence
• Transport difficulties due to location.

The employment support key worker team are based out in the community in the five different neighbourhood areas in North East Lincolnshire to provide hands on expertise where it’s needed most. They also run a number of job clubs called Workclub+, please see the Change news and events page for further details. Again referral to the employment support key worker service is through the Jobcentre Plus.

For more information on the Change programme please contact the community investment team on (01472) 326142 or community.investment@nelincs.gov.uk

If you are looking for work and want to come onto the Change programme please speak to your Jobcentre Plus advisor or contact them to make an appointment on 0845 6043719.