Agenda item

To receive an update on the Economic Strategy Review, which was presented in 2015, along with an introduction to the B&NES Virtual Employment Hub.

11.10am – 30 mins – Ben Woods

The Board considered a report which provided an update on the Economic Strategy Review, which was presented in 2015.  The report also set out an introduction to the B&NES Virtual Employment Hub.

Ben Woods, Group Manager – Economy and Culture, gave a presentation to the Board regarding the Employment Hub.  The presentation covered the following issues:

·  It is important to improve the employment prospects of residents as evidence shows that being in work improves both physical and mental health.

·  The latest information on benefit claimants in the B&NES area is:

o  1671 people claiming Universal Credit and seeking work intensively.

o  581 people in work, claiming Universal Credit and required to increase their income.

o  656 people with no work requirements following the work capability assessment

o  260 people on Jobseekers Allowance

o  2330 people on Employment Support Allowance

o  1720 on Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance

o  920 on Disability Living Allowance only

o  2500 on other combinations

·  Work and Health Programme – the organisation Pluss has been awarded the Southern Contract Package area.  This replaces the work Choice and Work Programme.

·  There will be voluntary referral for claimants with health barriers and mandatory referral for claimants who are long term unemployed (over 2 years).

·  The programme will provide an opportunity to improve service integration.  There are currently a large number of employment support programmes in the local area which officers will track and engage with.

·  Officers will be identifying employment opportunities in the local area and aiming to secure jobs for residents (for example the in new Bath casino)

·  The West of England Combined Authority will also have an important role in the provision of work and training opportunities.

·  It is vital to ensure that training takes place at the point where people can use these skills to get into work.

·  Of people out of work due to health barriers 51% are because of mental health issues.

·  There will be early engagement with Virgin Care and links to existing arrangements such as the Volunteer Centre.

·  Pathways and referral mechanisms between services will be developed.

The Board then discussed the report and presentation covering the following points:

·  Bruce Laurence noted the importance of considering outcomes, particularly for people with mental health issues and learning difficulties.  He noted that it was also important to provide relevant vocational training to provide the skills required locally.

·  Cllr Jackson asked officers to consider engaging with two other organisations – Bath Mind and Swallows - in the Somer Valley area who provided employment support.

·  Jane Shayler advised, in response to a question about performance indicators for supporting people with a mental health need or learning disability into employment, that performance is good but these performance indicators only capture employment information for those already in contact with services so there was more that could be done to identify and provide support into employment for those people not in contact with statutory services.

·  Fiona Bird stated that the RUH, as a large local employer, would be interested in this project.

·  It was noted that sometimes people feel that benefits prohibit them from seeking work or that they have been out of work so long that they do not feel ready to re-enter the job market.

·  Many partner organisations could identify people who could make use of local employment services.

A copy of the presentation slides is attached as Appendix 1 to these minutes.

RESOLVED:

(1)  To support the Virtual Employment Hub (VEH) approach outlined in the report and presentation.

(2)  To agree that health colleagues are supported to contribute to the VEH process.

(3)  To consider a further update on this project in six months’ time.