Thirteen’s Core Employability Team:
Performance and Achievement Report Year 1 Meet the Team
Jo Couhig Team leader
Dave Yellow Case worker
Sarah Mackin Case worker
Jess Dolby Case worker
Tracy Simmons Case worker
Khialah Wilson Case worker
The core employability team was launched in August 2018. Funded internally, the team has embedded itself within Thirteen. There are no restrictions in terms of the customers the team engages with, so it is able to support any Thirteen tenant and anyone else living in a Thirteen property in Tees Valley and Durham localities, regardless of their age or circumstances. The team works intensively with customers to deliver a focused employability provision that aims to move them into sustainable employment.
Mark McGahern Case worker
Michelle Hamilton Employer engagement officer
Performance and Achievement Report Year 1 Snapshot of Achievements
Success Stories
1,078
customers referred to the service since its launch
Bethany’s employability caseworker, Jessica Dolby, worked with her to help update her CV and make sure it was properly worded to suit her chosen area of work. Bethany successfully applied for one of Thirteen’s apprenticeship vacancies and was offered the role of Customer Service and Lettings Apprentice.
549
tenants signed up for employability support
172
jobs secured
Bethany’s story Bethany was referred to the service in August 2018 by Thirteen’s Key Step team. She had successfully completed Key Step’s tenancy facilitation course and was offered shared accommodation in a Thirteen property.
15
customers supported into roles at Thirteen
Core Employability Team Achievements 1078 customers living in a Thirteen property were referred to the service since its launch. Of those:
549 tenants signed up to the service and started receiving
employability support with a dedicated case worker.
321 tenants have had a quality supported intervention to break down barriers to work, improving their chances of landing their ideal role. This support includes CV development, confidence building, competency interview techniques, application form support and access to exclusive job vacancies. 172 jobs were secured for Thirteen tenants. 152 of these are first jobs; with 50 being sustained for at least 12 weeks. 96 Full time and 56 part time jobs. 20 second and subsequent jobs have been secured and on-going employment support continues for those who have fallen out and have wished to continue with further support. 15 customers have been supported into Thirteen or supply chain exclusive opportunities: 5 full-time roles with JMac Scaffolding and Safety Systems. 2 concierge assistant roles with Thirteen 2 apprenticeships 1 Report Writing Specialist 5 facilities management department roles with Thirteen
Bethany happily accepted the role and is now doing really well in her new job. She said “I am so proud of the person I have become thanks to the support I’ve had. I know I wouldn’t be where I am now without the ongoing help I still receive from the team. “I knew I wanted a position with Thirteen after my first meeting with Jess and thanks to the motivation and confidence I’ve gained, I got there. I now work in an industry I’m hugely passionate about. The entire experience and journey with Key Step and with the employability service was the best thing to happen to me and proves just how dedicated and successful the team are.” Jo Couhig, Thirteen’s employability team leader, said: “It’s great to see Bethany doing so well in her new apprenticeship role. She worked really hard with Jessica to make sure she was ready to take the next step in the job market and I’m pleased that Thirteen was able to help her with her career.”
Performance and Achievement Report Year 1 Karen’s story as told by Tom Cook, Thirteen’s supervisor of concierge
Neil’s story Neil (pictured above) registered with the core employability service in February 2019, after the money advice team referred him when he revealed he had recently lost his job and his partner was expecting twins. Neil was interested in physical, hands-on work. He met Michelle from the employer engagement team to discuss the grounds maintenance roles being advertised by Thirteen. He was invited to attend a support session for the roles, where he discussed his previous employment history and how his skills could transfer into these roles. He then met with his case worker, Tracy, to review his application and supported him with the STAR technique to prepare for the interview process. Neil was successful in gaining employment with Thirteen in a grounds maintenance role and started with the organisation in March 2019. Neil has successfully sustained his full-time employment and the twins have now been born. Neil said: “The support has been amazing; I can’t believe how fast I was seen and offered immense support with such a fantastic opportunity. Working closely with Thirteen services has helped our family so much financially. My work life balance is perfect as I used to work evening shifts and now works day shifts and have more time with my family.” Paul Stephens, ground maintenance services manager at Thirteen said: “Neil is making excellent progress as a seasonal member of the grounds maintenance team and has integrated well with his teammates. Since joining the service, he has worked in the team that looks after the gardens of Thirteen’s void properties and has had a positive impact on the performance of the team and on the standards the teams are maintaining. Ongoing I have no doubt that Neil will continue his great start with Thirteen and am sure that working for Thirteen will be fulfilling for him.”
Karen started employment with us at the beginning of May after successfully gaining the position through Thirteen’s employability team. Karen’s CV stood out to me because she has a wealth of support work experience, and what really stood out is that Karen has also successfully gained multiple professional development qualifications over the past few years. CCTV training, SIA Security Guard License and First Aid at Work were three qualifications which put a positive weight on her application. Karen was unemployed for a few years before she joined us, but from the start she’s hit the ground running, listening to her colleagues and learning aspects of the role with ease. I’m sure Karen will go from strength to strength in this role as she gathers more experience, she is a pleasure to work with and I have had nothing but positive feedback from her colleagues.
Performance and Achievement Report Year 1 Commissioned Services The core employability service also helps support external commissioned support services in various localities, adding value to the service and expanding the Thirteen brand.
241
customers supported over the year
53
customers placed into education and training opportunities
61
customers supported into employment
Clarion Housing, September 2018 to September 2019
Ellie’s story Ellie was already in employment and accessed the service by signing up to the Clarion contract provision. Ellie accessed support to help her apply for a neighbourhood co-ordinator role with Thirteen. Ellie received support with her application and with the interview that followed and is now working for Thirteen as a Neighbourhood Support Coordinator. Ellie said: “There were four vacancies and I was the only external candidate to be offered one of the jobs. Thank you so much for your help and support. Without it, I may not have got it, so I really appreciate all your help!”
Thirteen is commissioned to provide jobs and training information, advice and guidance (IAG) and related activities focused in and around the Clarion Housing communities of Saltersgill and Central Mews in Middlesbrough via two job clubs. The job clubs are available to anyone who can travel to them and continue to provide a busy and pro-active environment in which expert advice and guidance is provided, and customers are supported with a variety of employability needs. A dedicated case worker is currently working with eight Clarion customers at the job clubs, supporting each with a tailored approach to achieving sustainable employment and enhance their quality of life.
Accent Housing, September 2018 – April 2019 Thirteen was commissioned to provide an employability service for any customers of Accent Housing regardless of age or circumstances in various localities. Through the delivery of job clubs and one-to-one appointments the team provided bespoke support for Accent customers into employment, education and training opportunities. Michael’s story Michael signed up to the service with a dedicated Thirteen case worker in February 2019. Straight away, he gained access to Thirteen’s Discovery programme to help him secure a six-month fixed term internal role as an estate operative. When he completed the programme, Michael had one-to-one support with his case worker to complete the online application, then was provided with interview preparation skills and successfully gained employment with Thirteen. Michael has taken to his role with ease and advises he is loving the job.
Performance and Achievement Report Year 1 Routes to Work, September 2018 – July 2019 Thirteen provides a dedicated case worker two days a week in North Ormesby, Middlesbrough to deliver the Routes to Work contract focused on supporting those most distant from the labour market to prepare for, and access, employment opportunities. This has included the introduction of an exceptionally busy job club established at the North Ormesby Hub. This provides a very positive environment for customers to develop their skills and gain specialist support, as well as finding out about opportunities to volunteer in the area and gain credits for rewards.
Volunteer and Peer Mentor Service Thirteen continues to provide a voluntary service for anyone aged over 18 who is interested in gaining experience in a variety of internal departments. One recent success is Ann* who has been supported to volunteer with Thirteen’s scheme for young parents in Hartlepool. Ann is enjoying her volunteer opportunity and is learning all about the service. She has become really involved within the team, regularly meets and greets clients and supports with client activities. A Thirteen staff member said: “Ann has been supported by staff to learn Thirteen’s procedures and role expectations. She also receives regular support and supervision to make sure she’s happy in the role. She is great at speaking to the customers and feeding relevant information to staff.”
Ann said “My volunteering role is absolutely amazing. As a peer mentor I can give something back to young parents. I’ve been involved in loads of interesting things – activities, signposting and client visits. My advice to others thinking of volunteering is that if you really want to help or get experience for a job in the future, it’s the way forward. You will be able to get out, meet people, learn new things and go on courses.” *Not the volunteer’s real name
Thirteen’s Supported Housing Schemes Within the support services directorate, the employability team works across the external commissioned services to add value to the contracts, offering value for money for the commissioners and moving customers nearer the labour market. The team offers a specialist advice and brokerage service, carrying out diagnostics to ascertain readiness for work, identifying training needs and upskilling tenants. Employability champions are allocated to each of the services and a regular employability presence has been established in Durham’s Coney Avenue and School View schemes as well as Tees Valley’s Penrith and Leighton Road schemes.
Performance and Achievement Report Year 1 Financial Support
Positive Things On The Horizon
Thirteen customers:
• Further activity planned for Thirteen’s supported schemes in all the localities offering an employability service menu of choice
Reduction in their rent arrears of
for
£28,169 95 within a 6-month period
tenants who have received employability support
Referrals to Money Advice Team generated a total income of
£16,661
The employability team have referred customers into Thirteen’s money advice team and generated a total income of £16,661. This is the total amount received through support such as accessing additional benefits, the Thirteen hardship fund, council tax reduction, reduction in outgoings and discretionary housing payments for customers. 95 tenants who have received employability support have seen a reduction in their rent arrears by £28,169 within a 6-month period A number of neighbourhood coordinators have contacted the employability team to thank the team for its support.
One neighbourhood coordinator commented: “You have helped tenants so much with keeping on top of their rent since you started working with them and supported them into employment. Thank you so much!”
• New contracts coming soon: - Routes to Work Stockton providing a dedicated Caseworker two days per week - New full-time contract for RTW Middlesbrough after a very successful first year - Accent contract has been extended and will be covering more localities • An exciting partnership with Learning Curve…. watch this space!
Employability services menu
We offer a tasty choice of FREE services to help you kick-start your career! With your caseworker, please discuss the options below and order your starter, main course and dessert.
Starters Hungry for success? Try one of these to get
• Information, advice and guidance • Employability workshops: • CV writing • Interview skills • Presentation skills • Building confidence and motivation • One-to-one caseworker support • ESOL • Maths and English • E-learning
you started:
Main Courses Tuck into these to help you on your way: • • • • •
Desserts
Steps to Success - a two-week, Level 1 accredited employability course Customer service or hospitality routeway - a two-week, Level 2 accredited course, offering a customer service or food hygiene qualification Vocational training (external). Pick a course to get you on the way to gaining a new job Developing and applying mentoring and befriending skills - a Level 2 accredited course Learning Curve development opportunities - vocational courses
Add a little extra to complete your choices: • Volunteering opportunities • Apprenticeships and traineeships