FCR10 - Financial savings 2019-20 - Employability Programmes
| Title | FCR10 - Financial savings 2019-20 - Employability Programmes |
|---|---|
| Council Resource | Finance and Corporate |
| Service Area | Finance and Corporate |
| Aims and Objectives | The aim of this assessment is to consider, as part of the Council's savings exercise, the impact of changing the way the Council supports clients across employability programmes, including the Scottish Government Fair Start Scotland Programme. This change will see the same number of (and in some cases more) clients will continue to be supported, at a lower cost to the Council. The Council is developing a suite of online support materials to assist individuals allowing more clients to meet their needs through self-service routes at a reduced cost. The reduction in youth unemployment figures at national and local levels has also led to fewer clients requiring support through the employability programmes for young people. This programme will continue to be delivered to clients requiring support in line with the current reduced demands of the service. Again, at a reduced cost to the Council. The introduction of Fair Start Scotland by the Scottish Government brings in support for people (particularly around Health), who would otherwise have been placed in a number of Council programmes. The creation of this new programme has allowed the Council to redirect clients, who meet the necessary criteria, reducing the numbers requiring multiple supports and the associated expenditure. The introduction of Fair Start Scotland has enabled the cessation of the Working Matters Programme, previously delivered for the Council by Routes to Work South. Working Matters targeted the same client group now being supported by Fair Start Scotland. In 2018/2019, the programme is expected to engage with more than 2,200 individuals. By using on-line tools including self-service, the number of individuals engaging with and benefitting from the Employability Programme of the Council and its partners, will continue at this level going forward. As a result, the overall Council Employability Programme can continue to be delivered for £0.360m less from 2019/20 |
| Conclusion | The aim of this assessment is to consider, as part of the Council's savings exercise, the impact of changing the way the Council supports clients across employability programmes, including the Scottish Government Fair Start Scotland Programme. Overall unemployment figures in Scotland have reduced, this is the same for South Lanarkshire (SL). Scottish and SL unemployment rates for 2017/18 are Scotland - 4.2%, SL - 4.0%. The Scottish unemployment rate for 2016/17 was 4.9%. This has reduced the numbers of people requiring support through the various employability programmes that the Council delivers. The suite of on-line resources being developed will allow people access to self-service routes whilst still allowing their needs to be met. This will result in a reduced cost to the Council. For anyone who is unable to access the online supports, they will be able to access face to face or telephone supports. Employability programmes are provided to all residents of South Lanarkshire regardless of the protected characteristic. Where appropriate reasonable adjustments will be provided to support people, this might be in relation to disabilities or language issues to ensure they are able to participate in any of the available programmes. No negative impact has been identified during this assessment. the change in programme delivery will continue to meet the needs of those who need the support to progress into work. Although the Working Matters Programme previously delivered by Routes to Work South on behalf of the Council will cease. The target group for this programme will now be supported by Fair Start Scotland. |
| Completion date | 2018 - 2019 |
| Contact Email address | equalities@southlanarkshire.gov.uk |
| Area | Council Wide |