Issue - meetings

The Board considered a report that provided an update on the development of the Families into Work Programme.

The Programme was an innovative pilot project that would focus on one hundred families in the Northumberland Park Ward with the aim of developing a multi agency approach to addressing Worklessness and social exclusion issues. This would be done by working closely with families to improve the life chances of all family members.

It was noted that the pilot would take place over a three year period and would include an embedded evaluation. A team of four people would be established to work with the one hundred families identified. Participation in the scheme was voluntary and required permission from the families for Services to share information about them in order to form the best package of services to meet their needs.

The Chair advised that she had spoken to the Chief Executive at ?? and had been advised that they would be happy to be associated with the project.

In response to concerns that smaller businesses may not be sufficiently involved and that opportunities for self employment were not given enough prominence, the Board was advised that consideration was being given to holding an Employment Event, which would be hosted by CoNEL. This would provide an opportunity for these areas to be looked at.

Councillor Amin noted that self employment often provided an initial route into employment for people from BME backgrounds. Although this provided a good option for many people, it was not a complete route and work could be carried out to develop this further.

RESOLVED:

That the programme of work to develop and establish the project, previously funded under the Neighbourhood Working Fund, continue to be funded from the Area Based Grant.