With an increasing focus on employment support provision at a local level, meeting local needs, the JobsPlus model offers a useful case study into a hyper-local approach.

This webinar showcased lessons learned from the early stages of the JobsPlus pilot programme in England. We heard from those delivering JobsPlus, from the organisations involved in the conception of the trial to people delivering it on the ground.

L&W is leading the pilot programme, with support from Communities that Work, the Institute for Employment Studies (IES) and Youth Futures Foundation. The pilots are funded by the Department for Work and Pensions and by Youth Futures.

Previous research has found that social housing residents are nearly twice as likely to be out of work as those in other tenures. This is linked to a combination of housing allocation policies and labour market disadvantages.

Seeking to address this, the JobsPlus pilot programme is being trialled at ten sites across England, delivered by housing associations in the heart of social housing communities. JobsPlus is an innovative community-led employment scheme that aims to help people into work through on-site employment services, community support, and financial incentives.

Speakers:

• Elizabeth Gerard, Deputy Director, Learning and Work Institute (chair)
• Lynsey Sweeney, Managing Director, Communities that Work  
• Adam Swersky, Interim Director of Skills and Employment, East Midlands Combined County Authority 
• Tracy Fishwick OBE, Managing Director, Transform Lives Company
• Karen Kenmare, Head of Business Growth, Thirteen Group
• Lyndsey Henry, Employability Caseworker, Thirteen Group 
• Lee Hayday, Employment specialist, L&Q Foundation 

The webinar may be of interest to policymakers at national and local levels, social landlords, employment services providers, and researchers, as well as everyone interested in place-based employment support.