ESFVON
European Structrial Funds Voluntary Organisations Northern

ESF OBJECTIVE 3
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CURRENT CO-FINANCING OPPORTUNITIES IN TYNE & WEAR, NORTHUMBERLAND, AND
CO DURHAM
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Organisations may be aware invitations to tender published in November by Job Centre Plus for prospective projects in Tyne & Wear and Northumberland had to be withdrawn for technical reasons. Corrections have been made and the invitations are now re issued, together with additional opportunities in Co Durham. The following outlines targeted policy fields and actions. The deadline for receipt of applications is now:

12 noon on January 28th 2005

Tyne & Wear: Policy field/Measure 2.1 - Access to basic skills provision (pre-vocational). Please note that bids are restricted to City of Sunderland, Gateshead & South Tyneside, and Newcastle & North Tyneside Districts.

Total resource available: £269,661

Key points from 'summary of activity' (JCP prospectus): innovative approach to engagement and delivery of basic skills - strong links/partnerships with basic skills providers - targeting those not eligible for JCP provision or who need greater support - should deliver basic skills up to entry level 3 [e.g. level of average nine year old able to write in short paragraphs], also life skills - innovative methods of delivery to ensure engagement and demonstrate knowledge of other provision and local labour market to ensure progression routes identified for learners - management information in line with common inspection framework.

Target groups: all unemployed or jobless (inclu people with disabilities, or from ethnic minorities), particularly those who: have qualifications but lack experience or like skills, lack up to date qualifications, returners, history of short term unemployment, returners refugees, on inactive benefits, ESOL, not served by mainstream JCP provision.

Northumberland: Policy field/Measure 2.2 - Improve the Employability and Remove Barriers to Labour Market Entry for those Groups Disadvantaged in the Labour Market. Four specifications indicated, all restricted to the County of Northumberland.

Total resource available: £249,003.

Please note that although four specifications are published this does not mean that the available resource will necessarily fund four projects or that an expected 'average' bid will be £60 - £70k. JCP have indicated that bids will be judged on merit.

Key points from 'summary of activity' (JCP prospectus):

NTH 1: innovative engagement of IB recipients - identifying barriers to work and motivating individuals to overcome these - project to show clear links to disability employment advisers, JCP staff generally, Primary Care Trust, GP surgeries, etc.

Target groups: IB recipients, disaffected young people, lone parents, older workers, people with disabilities, the geographically isolated, ethnic minorities, refugees, homeless.

NTH 2: intervention for alcohol misusers; project to provide specialist advice guidance and support in targeting employment or training. A mentoring service should be available (13 weeks min) to support JCP provision or employment; links to appropriate partners/providers.

Target groups: all unemployed/jobless people, those affected by alcohol, IB recipients, disaffected young people.

NTH 3: project aimed at breaking down barriers to work of disadvantaged individuals - to include provision of flexible courses (of between 2 days and 4 weeks) covering interview skills CVs and job search, and meeting other specific needs.

Target groups: all unemployed people, and groups indicted in NTH 1.

NTH 4: project aimed at breaking down barriers to work of disadvantaged individuals - to include lifestyle management (re.vocational/home circumstances) identifying barriers to work. To include motivational techniques to achieve positive outcomes. Links to JCP advisers.

Target groups: all unemployed people, and groups indicted in NTH 1.

County Durham LSC: Policy field/Measure 1.1 To provide advice, guidance and support to help people and develop active and on-going job search plans and prevent them from moving into long term unemployment.

Total resource £89,188

DUR 1: A project which gains the commitment of the individuals to participate in the labour market and equips them with job search skills they need to prevent them becoming long-term unemployed. It will:

Target groups: All unemployed or jobless people age 18+.Jobless people on incapacity and other inactive benefits. Particular priority to those who:

Lack relevant up to date qualifications, lack key skills, history of short term unemployment, minority groups (inclu BEM). Those on New Deal or JCP mainstream, not eligible. Geographical areas: all County Durham especially Easington.

DUR 2: Working directly in the community using existing GP networks, engage with customers in receipt of Incapacity and Other Inactive Benefits to provide advice and guidance. The project will work with The Aim High Agencies to move people from benefit into learning, employment and enterprise by:

The programme should gain the commitment of the individuals to participate in the labour market. Equip them with job search skills they need to prevent them becoming long-term unemployed.

Target groups and areas: as DUR 1 above.

Policy field/Measure 1.2 To improve the chance of work of the unemployed, returners and young people of working age through targeted involvement to improve vocational and other key skills and remove external barriers to entering the labour market

Total resource: £1,149,110

DUR 3: A project to provide short ILMs/Work Trials to allow customers who have been away from the labour market for long periods of time to demonstrate to prospective employers their commitment to work. To ensure customers are equipped with the skills, knowledge and qualifications required by local employers. Bids must provide details of:-

This list is not exhaustive.

Target groups: as DUR1 plus those with history of unemployment. Those who have completed New Deal are eligible. Target areas: especially Easington and Derwentside.

DUR 4: To provide Work Preparation / Job Tasters / Intermediary Labour Market (ILM) opportunities. To ensure customers are equipped with the skills, knowledge and qualifications required by local employers. Bids must provide details of:-

Examples of potential occupational areas should be responsive to the local labour market and could include e.g:

This list is not exhaustive.

Target groups: as DUR 3 above. Target Areas: all Durham.

DUR 5: Removing barriers to employment for clients on inactive benefits i.e. sickness related benefits. A programme of pre vocational, preparatory training for those people, who wish to return to work, but who are not yet ready or eligible to enter mainstream provision. Customers should spend less than sixteen hours per week on the programme and will develop:-

The project should engage and assess the customer's ability to move into employment and should sign post to relevant agencies for advice and support. i.e. Job brokers, Jobcentre Plus i.e. Disablement Employment Advisers etc. The project should produce an action plan for each individual. The provider should show strong labour market knowledge and methods of engaging customers.

Target groups and areas: all unemployed people aged 18+. Those on New Deal or JCP mainstream, not eligible. County Durham.

DUR 6: The project will consist of a programme of assessment, counselling, placement and post employment support for customers. It should consider transferable skills and engage employers who are interested in recruiting older workers. The bid should show employer involvement and methods of engaging customer groups. It should provide confidence building, and improve low esteem and give job search/careers advice lacking motivation and direction. Providing quality opportunities with employers for work tasters/placements. This programme should also address issues such as health conditions that prevent customers returning to previous occupations. Provider should forge strong links with Jobcentre Plus and other agencies.

Target groups: those aged over 50; then as DUR 4 (ex ILM reference). Target areas: Derwentside, Trimdons, Fishburn, Coxhoe, West Cornforth.

DUR 7: Initiatives to allow access to demand led strategies and employer route-ways such as retail, transport, hospitality, energy, construction, leisure and manufacturing etc - not already accessible under mainstream provision. Initiatives should be demand led and specifically train customers to meet the recruitment needs of employers via a pick and mix of traditional training methods, simulated training and employer placements. The aim of the programmes is not only to move clients into entry level jobs but to ensure that a career path is identified to progress people into supervisory and management level jobs. Training organisations should offer post employment support to not only the jobseeker but also the employer.

Target groups and areas: as DUR 4 above plus those on incapacity.

Policy field/Measure 2.2 To provide help to improve employability and remove barriers to labour market entry for those groups who are disadvantaged in the labour market. To develop local response to assist individuals and multiple disadvantaged in the labour market who face risk of exclusion.

Total resource: £511,112

DUR 8: A project to use innovative ways of engaging with benefit recipients and explore their potential to work. The project will aim to motivate individuals, identify barriers and move them into work, training or facilitate referral/s to other appropriate sources of help. This is to include, and show clear links to, Disability Employment Advisers, NDDP Job brokers and Action Teams.

The project will aim to improve customers' chances of securing and keeping employment by breaking down barriers using one to one mentoring and support, counselling, physiotherapy and complementary therapies. This project should offer an outreach service linking into local medical services, GP surgeries etc. The project should show clear partnership links with the Primary Care Trust, local medical services, GP surgeries and Jobcentre Plus staff.

Target groups and areas: as DUR 1 above plus, returners to the LM, and refugees.

DUR 9: Projects which work with a wide range of jobless customers, particularly those in receipt of incapacity or other inactive benefits to break down barriers and help these customers move into work Projects will use a variety of methods to engage customers and will offer one to one mentoring, counselling and support to improve their chances of securing and keeping employment. Projects will include:

Target groups: as DUR 8. Target areas: as DUR 6

DUR 10: To achieve improved job outcomes and work placement opportunities for clients who are recovering drug/alcohol misusers. A number of people recovering from addiction have little or no work experience and therefore are rejected at the application stage. They also face issues as a number have served prison sentences and therefore have substantial gaps in employment resulting in a lack of recent work experience. Employment is a key goal in helping those recovering from misuse complete the treatment process and re-engage into society. To engage with employers across Durham to raise awareness of how drug misuse affects the workforce. To help employers develop drug & alcohol policies in order to satisfy legal requirements and dispel some of the media myths that surround recovering from drug / alcohol misuse.

Target groups: as DUR 8. Target areas: all County Durham.

DUR 11: To provide a mentoring service to clients outside of New Deal funding to help remove barriers to employment including basic skills needs, provide support and guidance outside of both family and Jobcentre Plus.

The service should aim to work with clients with personal problems, which are restricting their ability to move into employment. The service should be flexible to ensure that the client is able to access support at appropriate times and venues, travel costs must be reimbursed. Consideration will have to be given to effect on benefits unless outreach provision is put in place. The provider must also be able to signpost the client to other support agencies to overcome their individual barriers. Target Groups and areas: as DUR 10 above.

DUR 12: To provide a specialist support service to unemployed people of working age outside of New Deal funding aimed at supporting and influencing those customers with drug and/or alcohol addictions to access appropriate treatment. This is to increase the numbers of customers accessing treatment and therefore enabling them to move into current provision e.g. Progress to Work.

Target groups and areas: as DUR 8 above.

DUR 13: Specialist Service / Mentoring for customers with mental health problems and other health problems. To provide help and support to people with mental health/health problems to increase their prospects of obtaining sustainable employment. To provide one to one support and guidance to increase confidence and self-dependence. Work with professional bodies to help move customers forward towards work.

Target groups and areas: as DUR 8 above

DUR 14: Identification of customers at risk of social exclusion, and early intervention in their lives and those of their families to prevent exclusion. Offering an innovative initiative to address multiple barriers and where appropriate add value to the current government funded programmes e.g New Deal and improve retention rates on government programmes. Project should demonstrate and exploit links with other agencies. Offers training and support in key living skills e.g.

This list is not exhaustive.

Target groups and areas: as DUR 10 above.

DUR 15: Projects, which enhance customers' chances of employment by breaking down barriers and providing on going support, pre and post release. Work with other organisations to support customers in employment post release.

This project should make appropriate links to ensure a coherent approach and compatibility with existing initiatives /organisations, e.g.

Target groups: All Durham Prisons; pre and post release/jobless aged 18 plus; offenders and ex offenders. Not for customers already on or eligible for existing New Deal or mainstream provision. Target areas: all County Durham.

Note on changes to Prospectus and Application information published in November for JCP invitations to tender in Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, which was later aborted.

There have been relatively few changes to the original information applying to Tyne & Wear and Northumberland components. The most significant are change of outputs in Annex C; an additional Annex E giving information about approved qualifications and equivalences; additional information and paragraphing in Part One introduction about Objective 2 and Objective 3. Changes in the application for Section 10, age group definitions amended.

Further information about Tyne & Wear, Northumberland, and County Durham co-financed options, including detailed tender specifications, and the documentation for submission of tenders can be found on the JCP website www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

Note: on entering the site "click" on Working with Jobcentre Plus, and then click European Social Fund, then click on North East region. The tender documents for Tyne & Wear and Northumberland are shown separately.

Or for additional information/advice ring, ESFVON on 0191 2749886
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