Title	Date	Start Time	Duration	Register
Reducing barriers to work using data led campaigns In September 2023 the UK experienced an economic inactivity rate of 21.3% and an estimated unemployment rate of 4.3%, both of which have increased compared to previous data. Economic inactivity has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, prompting government efforts to integrate this group into the workforce. Historically, policies under Universal Credit and legacy benefits emphasised pushing people into employment through conditionality and short term measures. Today, both major political parties are exploring ways to facilitate return to work and eliminate barriers to employment. However, the government is also extending conditionality and adopting a tougher stance on sanctions for a broader range of people. Haringey is home to a young, ethnically diverse population. In June 2023, almost one fifth of those between 16 to 65 were on Universal Credit. Nearly 7% of residents over 16 were claiming unemployment related benefits, a figure above the London average of 4.7% and the 3rd highest rate of all UK councils Haringey Council wanted to find ways to overcome barriers to employment for young people and families with children and has used data to achieve success with its employment support programmes. Join this webinar to learn: - The new carrot and stick policy changes designed to break down barriers to work and reduce economic inactivity - What Haringey Council did to increase take up of free childcare for two year olds to 70% - How Haringey Council successfully helped 95 NEETs on their employment journey With guest speakers from Haringey Council	29/11/2023j/n/Y	10:30 GMT2023-11-29T10:30:00ZH:i T	1.3 hours	Register
Policy review of 2023 and what 2024 may hold Join our last webinar of 2023 to hear our policy analysts review 2023's policy changes and big issues, from the ongoing cost of living and energy crises to the funding of local government and the Autumn Statement. We will highlight our policy findings from the year including our work that revealed that millions of households across the UK are missing out on £19 billion of support each year. We'll look at the role that data is playing in helping leading organisations to tackle these issues. Through case studies of different types of households we'll look at what the changes mean for families now, and what 2024 has in store. Along the way we'll share the positive impact that organisations we work with are having, and give practical solutions that others can adopt.	6/12/2023j/n/Y	10:30 GMT2023-12-06T10:30:00ZH:i T	1.3 hours	Register
How the debt sector is connecting people to support	31/1/2024j/n/Y	10:30 GMT2024-01-31T10:30:00ZH:i T	1.3 hours	Register

Title

Date

Start Time

Duration

Reducing barriers to work using data led campaigns In September 2023 the UK experienced an economic inactivity rate of 21.3% and an estimated unemployment rate of 4.3%, both of which have increased compared to previous data. Economic inactivity has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, prompting government efforts to integrate this group into the workforce.

Historically, policies under Universal Credit and legacy benefits emphasised pushing people into employment through conditionality and short term measures. Today, both major political parties are exploring ways to facilitate return to work and eliminate barriers to employment. However, the government is also extending conditionality and adopting a tougher stance on sanctions for a broader range of people.

Haringey is home to a young, ethnically diverse population. In June 2023, almost one fifth of those between 16 to 65 were on Universal Credit. Nearly 7% of residents over 16 were claiming unemployment related benefits, a figure above the London average of 4.7% and the 3rd highest rate of all UK councils

Haringey Council wanted to find ways to overcome barriers to employment for young people and families with children and has used data to achieve success with its employment support programmes.

Join this webinar to learn:

- The new carrot and stick policy changes designed to break down barriers to work and reduce economic inactivity
- What Haringey Council did to increase take up of free childcare for two year olds to 70%
- How Haringey Council successfully helped 95 NEETs on their employment journey

With guest speakers from Haringey Council

29/11/2023

10:30 GMT

1.3 hours

Policy review of 2023 and what 2024 may hold Join our last webinar of 2023 to hear our policy analysts review 2023's policy changes and big issues, from the ongoing cost of living and energy crises to the funding of local government and the Autumn Statement.

We will highlight our policy findings from the year including our work that revealed that millions of households across the UK are missing out on £19 billion of support each year.

We'll look at the role that data is playing in helping leading organisations to tackle these issues.

Through case studies of different types of households we'll look at what the changes mean for families now, and what 2024 has in store.

Along the way we'll share the positive impact that organisations we work with are having, and give practical solutions that others can adopt.

6/12/2023

10:30 GMT

1.3 hours

How the debt sector is connecting people to support

31/1/2024

10:30 GMT

1.3 hours

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council creates new team to help people clear debt and find work

CLIENT:
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council

SECTOR:
Local authority

PRODUCTS USED:
Better Off Calculator

Download product brochure

To help residents to achieve their goals Rotherham Council created a new Employment Solutions team and used the Better Off Calculator from Policy in Practice. The tool was also integral to the council winning a South Yorkshire Financial Inclusion Award. In just one week they helped 12 people into work or training.

The challenge

In 2020 the world changed drastically and many people experienced a significant income shock. Unemployment rose and more people turned to the social security system than ever before, many for the first time. In just twelve months the number of people who claimed Universal Credit doubled to six million across the UK.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council knew that more people would need holistic support. The council wanted to find new and innovative ways to offer preventative support to residents. Their aim was to reduce poverty and homelessness by supporting people with complex issues into training and employment opportunities.

The solution

Rotherham Council established the Employment Solutions team with help from the European Social Fund (ESF) to support Rotherham’s residents into education and employment. The support includes helping people access qualifications and education; providing technology such as tablets so that they can complete applications online, and offering coaching through the interview processes.

Rotherham Council’s support goes beyond employment, however. They have taken an holistic approach to help people towards greater financial, mental and physical health.

The team uses the Better Off Calculator from Policy in Practice to help deliver their nuanced preventative approach to poverty. The calculator shows customers if they are claiming all the support and benefits they are eligible for and, using graphs and clear visuals, gives a simple outline of the person’s expenditure. Using the built-in scenario modelling, Employment Solution officers can quickly show someone how their income and expenditure would change if they were to move into work. The overall aim is to increase the money in their residents’ pockets and help them to better employment opportunities.

The Better Off Calculator is vital to the success of sustaining tenancies, maximising income, helping people budget and supporting our customers into employment. The work we have done has led to tenancy sustainment and reduction in arrears. The calculator has supported us to set up a new Employment Initiative with wrap around support. We were thrilled to win an award this year for Financial Inclusion. The calculator definitely supported us to achieve this.

Glennis Leathwood, Employment Solutions Team Leader at Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council.

The impact

Since October 2020, the Employment Solutions Team has had over 300 participants on the project. In just one week they helped 12 people into work or training. Overall, by referring into Employment Solutions over 200 people have been supported into employment. The team have also been working with nearly 50 young people into new roles with the Better Off Calculator playing a pivotal role in helping them gain employment.

By using Policy in Practice’s Better Off Calculator, Rotherham Council has been able to assist customers and motivate them into work and training. They have maintained excellent partnerships with DWP and resource the local Jobcentre with a daily Tenancy Support Officer who sees all new claims to UC, advising on advance payments, alternative payment arrangements and rent payments. They also have a Digital Support Assistant who assists with new claims to Universal Credit and changes in circumstances as well as a Debt Advice Officer.

The Better Off Calculator is used as a motivational tool, as what better way is there to show someone how they can improve their situation by entering employment than by seeing that big difference as a financial figure?

Andy Johnson, Employment Support Officer at Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council.

Rotherham is very proud of the success the Better Off Calculator has had on people’s lives. Many people are better off as a result of doing a benefit check, and they have improved their customer’s health and wellbeing.