Issue No.25 / October 2023
Index reveals half measures for disabled workers
What’s inside...
Page 3 Youth Voice attend Royal Foundation event
Page 4-5 Sharing best practice at the IEP Basecamp
Page 6 Boxer Nigel Benn delivers knockout talk on visit to Leicester
The first holistic research project to examine disability inclusivity in British workplaces has revealed significant discord in disabled people’s access to good work. Issue No.25 / October 2023
Despite one in five of the UK’s workingage population having a disability or longterm health condition, the 2023 Ingeus Disability Diversity and Inclusivity Index unearths a lack of suitable and accessible roles with chance for progression. Capturing the experiences of almost 2,000 employers, disabled workers and jobseekers, the survey assessed the opportunities, career equity and culture surrounding disabled people in the workplace.
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The results, released by Ingeus and market research consultancy CoreData, create an index against which chronological changes can be tracked. The inaugural Index score of 54.9 / 100 was most negatively impacted by the lack of opportunity disabled people face in finding suitable work that allows them to live comfortably. While the lack of appropriate roles dominated disabled people’s experiences, [Continued on page 2]
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Continued... the research also identified a reticence to disclose health details during the recruitment process and a prevalence of temporary, lower-paid positions for employed disabled people. Key findings included: •
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A direct correlation between people’s disability and their chances of finding jobs that were a good match for their skills and experience. A lack of awareness from employers and jobseekers about help available. Employers’ desire for experienced support to help them with the cultural and practical elements of attracting and keeping disabled employees. Jobseekers’ requirements for small, inexpensive adaptations, such as flexible working policies, as opposed to costly workplace modifications. An inertia, as opposed to unwillingness, from employers to recruit disabled people.
The disability employment gap (the gap between the employment rates of disabled and non-disabled people) sits at almost 30%, while employers struggle to
recruit and retain qualified workers. It’s a mismatch which Ingeus works hard to combat.
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“People with disabilities and health conditions have the same working desires and expectations as everyone else,” says Fiona Monahan Chief Executive Officer at Ingeus UK.
“Attracting more disabled people into the workforce, with the support they need, is a win-win for everyone. Working is proven to be good for people’s health, their families and society. It also makes sound economic sense to reduce the number of economically inactive people and bring their considerable skills into play.
“We want our ongoing indexing to chart and drive change, while we work to match jobseekers to their perfect job, and support employers to help people with disabilities join and stay in the labour market.” Download the report:
“It is frustrating and worrying that people with disabilities – the majority of which are invisible – are scared they’ll never find a job. One in five feel hopeless, believing finding work they really love is out of reach. This should never be the case, especially when addressing recruitment and retention challenges is not necessarily onerous.
Finalists at the 2023 ERSA Employability Awards Congratulations to everyone named as a finalist at this year’s ERSA Employability Awards! This year Ingeus is proud to have nominations recognised in seven categories, including one for our partnership with national employer, OCS. “Everyone nominated for an ERSA award is a winner in my eyes,” says Elizabeth Taylor, ERSA Chief Executive. “The categories explore everything that’s fabulous about our sector; it’s dedicated people, proactive partnerships, and pioneering projects!”
Issue No.25 / October 2023
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Congratulations to our finalists… Arlene Todd - Employer Engagement Practitioner of the Year Mary-Victoria - Frontline Advisor of the Year OCS - Employer Partnership of the Year Mike Collins - The Sharing Best Practice Award Housing Support Team - Tailored Employment Support of the Year Operational Excellence Team - The Behind the Scenes Award Greater Manchester Team - Social Value Award Winners will be announced at the ERSA Conference and Awards on Tuesday 28th November.
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Youth Voice attend Royal Foundation event
Ingeus’ Youth Voice Ambassadors are a dynamic team of young people aged 16-25 who come together from across the country to influence change.
empower them to be better prepared for life and work. So, what better event for our ambassadors to attend than the ‘Exploring Our Emotional Worlds’ event hosted by The Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales in partnership with The Mix UK.
The Ambassador Programme is designed to give young people a platform to use their voice and to
Our ambassadors had the opportunity to speak about the specific mental health challenges their generation face and learn to understand how to manage their emotions.
Issue No.25 / October 2023
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Dr Alex George, UK Youth Mental Health Ambassador, hosted a panel with HRH Prince of Wales and two inspiring young people to discuss mental health needs and support for young people. The panel opened the discussion of the solutions that could support young people to better look after their own and each other’s mental wellbeing. Well done to our ambassadors for being part of a very important conversation!
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Sharing best practice at the IEP Basecamp Julie Graham, CEO of Employment Services spent the day with frontline colleagues and shares her insights from the day at the IEP Basecamp. The Institute of Employability Professional’s (IEP) inaugural Basecamp in Birmingham was an opportunity for frontline practitioners to engage with others; to gain motivation and encouragement. Record numbers of people are off work with health conditions, many not actively seeking to return, while vacancies remain stubbornly high. Tumultuous economic and political upheaval persists, while workers grapple with post-Covid workplace changes and the ever-evolving new-normal. At Basecamp, attended by frontline practitioners from across the UK, was a genuine sense of camaraderie. For many attendees, it was the first time they’d had an opportunity to speak to peers from other organisations about the day-today challenges they face – and how to overcome them. There was a heartening willingness to share insights and expertise. A common theme from the day was the joined-up approach fostering support for
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programmes’ participants and frontline staff, and the event was a great example of coming together to do just that.
Support needs evolve – and so must our delivery Gitin Chavda, Restart Scheme Regional Director opened the IEP Basecamp, and spoke of our participants’ changing needs such as the heightened cost of living driving the need for higher paid jobs, and labour market changes increasing the call for new and transferable skills. Combine this with the catastrophic impact of Covid on our nation’s physical and mental health and looking at the requirement for higher levels of support pretty much across the board. Basecamp experts outlined strategies for supporting people with complex needs and practical techniques to engender trust and engagement. Colleagues specifically commended the talks on active listening and motivational interviewing as ways to genuinely deep dive with participants. We talked at length about validating participants’ concerns and resisting the fixing reflex – the urge to tell people how they should change. This I think is key to reducing disengagement from programmes, which is a big challenge for our industry. While the practical and immediate aspects of job hunting are the important staples of many frontline advisors’ roles, that holy grail of holistic support sits at the summit of our metaphorical
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mountain. Empowering individuals to grow and adapt in an ever-changing jobs market means looking at personal growth, skills development, progression, and career longevity and demands new thinking in the way services are commissioned and delivered.
We can’t do this alone The basic premise that jobseekers need jobs is not as straightforward as it sounds. Job design, to accommodate people returning to or entering work for the first time, is critical to successful recruitment. Helping employers develop their willingness and adapt for a wider range of employee needs is something we champion here but there is still much to be done in terms of detuning employers to unconscious bias; reducing the stigma and stereotypes that often engulf a potentially valuable new employee.
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We need to open opportunities for participants with disabilities and health conditions; criminal convictions; limited or no work experience; parents; and older workers. Frontline advisors can equip them with the tools they need to sustain work, but employers, skills providers, and commissioners have a huge role to play in preparing the middle-ground.
Our frontline comes first Basecamp commenced with a session on self-care. Mental wellbeing activity was a
top learning point but so often, we don’t prioritise our own wellbeing. Employability professionals have an innate empathy and compassion. Burning themselves up to give others light is a danger.
frameworks and wellbeing resources for our colleagues but what more could we offer? The IEP Basecamp gathered new thoughts to make meaningful changes to the way frontline practitioners work through insightful presentations, workshops, and discussions.
We employ in the region of 1,500 frontline staff and understand that being their best selves are what makes them a formidable force for good. We have built comprehensive employee assistance
Together, IEP Basecamp was able to shine a light on better ways of working as we embark on our sector’s climb of its very own Mount Everest: good work for everyone.
Getting to know you... Jo Hall
Payroll & Benefits Manager
This month we stopped to take a minute to find out more about Jo and her role at Ingeus. “I manage and oversee Ingeus’ payroll, benefits and pension schemes. Me and the team are responsible for making
Issue No.25 / October 2023
sure all our colleagues are all paid on time and accurately each month, and that they have access to a wide range of benefits to support their work, lifestyle and wellbeing.” I work closely with the people and finance teams and have been with Ingeus for over 11 years, it’s been an amazing experience and I love getting involved in projects helping to enhance our people’s journey within the business.”
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We asked Jo to answer life’s essential ‘this or that’ questions:
Summer or Winter? Summer Chocolate or sweets? Chocolate Night or morning? Night City or countryside? Countryside Cats or dogs? Cats Dressed up or casual? Casual Phone calls or emails? Emails Books or films? Films Night out or night in? Night out Holidays or home comforts? Holidays
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Boxer Nigel Benn delivers knockout talk on visit to Leicester
Former double-weight world boxing champion Nigel Benn was a huge hit at our event in Leicester on the 19th October. More than 60 guests joined Nigel at the Voluntary Action Leicester office on Newarke Street. They included people on probation and youth programmes; our peer mentors and staff with lived experience of the criminal justice system; and representatives from the police, prison service, and violence reduction network. Attending on behalf of our partner Pure Insights International, he spoke candidly about his own life and talked at length with those attending. Now living in Australia, Nigel was born in East London and described the repressed anger he felt after the death of his 17-year-old brother when he was just 8 years old; a traumatic event that rocked his family. He recalled the self-discipline he learned Issue No.25 / October 2023
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serving in the army and how he transferred this to his boxing career, winning his first 22 fights by knockout and earning him plaudits as one of the greatest Super Middleweights of all time. Yet describing how his chaotic behaviour almost cost him everything, including the loss of his family, Nigel spoke with emotion about his love for his wife, and his faith.
Working with specialist partners and the probation service, we deliver Commissioned Rehabilitative Services to help people on probation settle back into their communities across the East Midlands. Support with physical and mental wellbeing is crucial to remove obstacles to rehabilitation. Pure Insights International provides counselling services to our participants.
The former champion has since dedicated the last 20 years to charity work, counselling people with addiction and marital issues. He is visiting the UK to support his son Connor Benn, a welterweight fighter, with whom he shares ‘an unbreakable bond’.
“Nigel’s courage and resilience shone through; you could hear a pin drop at times,” says Adam Hart, Chief Operating Officer of Ingeus UK, who attended the event. “We were delighted he could spend the afternoon inspiring and motivating our participants – they were hooked!”
“My faith and family have given me the chance to re-build my life,” said Nigel. “The high I get from helping others means more to me than any of my boxing accolades.
As part of its Commissioned Rehabilitative Services contract, we deliver personal wellbeing services in the East Midlands (Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire), West Midlands (Staffordshire, Warwickshire), Yorkshire and the Humber (West Yorkshire, Humberside) and the North East (Northumbria).
“Changing your mindset can help you achieve anything and if I can influence just one person’s life for the better then that’s good enough for me.”
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OCS recruits are challenging stereotypes with a career switch
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“I hadn’t been able to find work, but Ingeus helped me and recognised my abilities,” she said. “This job is interesting for me as it relates to my law qualifications, so I am very happy. “I would recommend Ingeus to everyone, they absolutely help and support all people to have a good future.”
Think ‘security’ roles and a muscular, stoneyfaced male may well spring to mind. Well, think again – as did three Ingeus jobseekers who never imagined they’d be starting new security careers in London’s courts. Luciana, Hilda, and Sami are just three of the successful participants stretching gender and age stereotypes as a direct result of Ingeus’newly developed partnership with OCS. OCS provides facilities management services including security, cleaning and catering staff and approached Ingeus to recruit Restart Scheme participants as court and tribunal security officers in London. Ingeus Employer Account Manager Farwa spent several weeks calling 160 potential applicants to see whether the role would suit them. She narrowed the search down to 12 people who Issue No.25 / October 2023
attended a three-day Routeway Course devised by Ingeus to explain the job in detail. Seven people were offered roles, four of whom are female. “There wasn’t a dry eye in the building – people were jumping up and down with delight after getting the jobs,” she recalls. “An established company had given them a chance and you couldn’t help but feel the emotion in the room.” Luciana is thrilled with her new fulltime role, as are her children. “My three children are so happy. They tell everybody they are proud of me and that I am so brave,” says the 44-year-old, who moved to England from Portugal in 2008. She received support from Ingeus with transport costs, work clothes and food parcels and said she would thoroughly recommend the Restart Scheme. “I work inside and outside the court building, checking everything is safe. Ingeus has opened my mind to a new career, and I am so happy and confident now.”
While, Sami, at the age of 62 had almost given up finding employment again after a series of knockbacks over an 18-month period. Keen for a change of career after 17 years working for a supermarket, he hopes he’s now found his job for life. “I was out of work for a year-and-a half and applied for a lot of jobs, but it was difficult to get an interview because of my age,” he remembered. “It was affecting my confidence. “I am really happy with my new court security job. I hope I never have to do a job search ever again, I want to do this job for the rest of my working life.” Ingeus’s Farwar added: “It can be harder for older people to find employment especially when they have had the same job for a long time. I am very proud of Sami and he is already a big hit in his new job.” Watch the full OCS case study:
Equally, Hilda, 45 and originally from Iran, says Ingeus helped her think differently about her options.
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Safi thinks it’s time for a change They say a change is as good as a rest, but that couldn’t have been further from the truth for 16-year-old Safiya – Safi – from Leicester, having spent a funpacked five days on the new NCS Change It experience. Designed to equip young people with the skills to positively impact their world, the residential adventure saw Safi rock climbing, abseiling, and co-founding her own political party! “I was tempted by the thought of doing something completely different with my summer holiday,” explains Safi. “I’m interested in politics, I’d like a career where I can influence and help people, so the Change It camp sounded perfect when NCS came to my school to present it.” NCS – National Citizen Service – is a government-backed programme for all 16 and 17 year-olds to build confidence and skills for future work and life. New for 2023, and delivered by Ingeus and its partners, there is a trio of residential experiences: Live It, Change It, and Boss It. Each promises a generous helping of outdoor sporting challenges and friendship-forming activities to ignite career aspirations and kickstart independent living. It runs at youth hostels and adventure camps across England and costs £95 (with bursaries also available).
volleyball, which she’d never played before. She learnt CPR life-saving techniques and as co-prime minister of her group, developed real-life policies to debate with the other fledgling parties. Culminating in a general election decided with a moo-off (trying to keep a straight face while an opponent moos in your face!), the week flew by according to Safi. Amongst all the fun, Safi also appreciated the skills she was developing: “Initially I was a little nervous, going out of my comfort zone with rock climbing and abseiling. The leaders were terrific though, nurturing and encouraging. Where we stayed was really homely and I loved the mix of independence and fun, with the more thought-provoking, serious activities.
Safi stayed at YHA Castleton in the Peak District and unearthed a love of
“NCS taught me to listen and understand other people’s points of view. I also developed my social skills and lots of us have set up a chat group to keep in touch. I’ve just moved schools to sixth form, without any of my existing friends.
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NCS has helped enormously, giving me experience of being in a new setting, talking to new people and not being embarrassed.” Safi is now studying A-levels in history, politics and psychology at Loughborough High School and hopes her drive for positive change will lead to a future career in law or international relations. She’ll also be using her powers of persuasion to encourage her brothers and cousins to attend NCS in the future. “If you want to meet new people and try new things, all in a friendly setting with great people helping you, then NCS is a must-do,” she adds. Working in partnership with the Youth Hostel Association, Ingeus works closely with community groups, local authorities and the wider youth sector to enable young people to take part in NCS. At YHA Castleton it enlists the expertise of Flying Futures CIC and Pilot IMS Ltd to deliver unforgettable NCS experiences for young people, just like Safi. 8