Theme A | Theme B | Theme C | Theme D | Theme E |Theme F |Theme H 

Theme A - Equal Access

Objectives
The Equal Access Development Partnership aims to support collaborative activity to combat discrimination experienced by individuals and groups in the labour market by developing new models of intervention in working with disadvantaged groups to facilitate the transfer from benefits to the labour market.

Target Groups
Disabled People; Offenders and Ex-offenders; Older ex-workers; Drus and Alcohol Misusers; Young People leaving care.

Mainstreaming Outcomes

 Glasgow City Council
Research activity - FEA model informing employability framework as recognised model of good practice – This research activity helped identify some of the issues identified by residents of disadvantaged communities as well as benefits around the model of support. 

Capital City Partnership – Wise Move
The CCP activities focused on supporting target groups through an Action Team approach, which deals with specific barriers and also money issues in the transition from benefits to employment income. 

The Wise Group focused on building capacity with homelessness organisations to consider the employability needs of clients.  The Wise Move activity was successful in building the capacity of homeless organisations in Edinburgh.  This model was recognised as a model of good practice and a template for future client-specific activities. 

DWP
The DWP designed and delivered a programme of workshops in a number of geographical areas in Scotland promoting the value of an age diverse workforce and the need to adopt non-ageist employment practices, according to the standards set by the Code of Practice.  This support sought to prepare small businesses for age discrimination legislation to be enforced in 2006.
Activity was in preparation for the legal enforcement of Age Discrimination Legislation in 2006..

Glasgow Caledonian University
The Glasgow Caledonian University developed a research and training initiative to address the challenges of developing quality welfare benefit and related advice to dis-engaged groups.
The research has strong linkages to Scottish Executive including Employability Framework which is expected to create added value for the activity. 

North Ayrshire Council
North Ayrshire Council developed a recruitment service that engaged and trained clients to take up contracts within the care services.  The activity is now funded through mainstream ESF.  A key success was the targeting of short-term training for those closer to the labour market and the focus on in-work benefit analysis.

NLC Social Work Department
The department developed and enhanced an established supported employment initiative, recognised widely as a model of good practice.  The project expanded the employment opportunities available to people with disabilities by researching and applying new and innovative approaches. Activity successfully integrated into mainstream authority provision.  There is interest among other supported employment projects re the group employment model and its potential replicability.  In addition this project is a case study within the employability framework.

Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health (SDCMH)
The SDCMH developed a project aimed to address exclusion of people with mental health problems from the labour market by improving the willingness and ability of employers to recruit and retain this group in their workplaces. The toolkit developed as part of the activity has been integrated into the Scottish Health at Work programme.  In addition the Centre for Healthy Working Lives have provided funds to continue the direct training.  The activity is part-financed by the Scottish Executive; therefore there is considerable interest more widely for this activity.

Stirling Council
The Stirling Council project developed an employer focussed supported employment model bringing together local authority departments who do not commonly collaborate. The activity is now funded through mainstream ESF.  The model of integrating care and economic development services has been recognised more widely as a model of good practice.  The project has resulted in changed practices of recruitment within Stirling Council – all GS1 & 2 posts are passed directly through the project in the first instance.

The Wise Group
The Wise Group further developed the Workable project to extend support available to NDD clients.  Workable is a job brokerage and guidance service, which supports disabled people into employment and addresses the specific barriers encountered by this client group.  The lessons learned have been fed into the employability framework. Activity is now funded with alternative funds sought for longer-term development.

West Lothian Council
The West Lothian EQUAL project supported the design, development and pilot testing of innovative actions to support mature excluded individuals into work and to develop employability assets within this demographic group. The activity is now continuing with mainstream ESF support and with developments including new local partnerships to expand provision for older workers.  Success factors included the targeting of sector specific training along with strong employer links.

Research Activities

Glasgow Caledonian University, Research activity – Developing Mentoring Methodologies; University of Glasgow – Urban Studies Research activity - Labour Market Flows;

University of Glasgow – TERU Research Activity - Mainstreaming Innovative Employability Enhancing Approaches;

Napier University Research Activity - Older Workers;

Paisley University Research Activity - Employability & Employer Attitudes;

Each of these projects was presented to the Scottish Executive during a closed seminar undertaken through Action 3 activity.  It is expected the influence will be reflected in ongoing policy development.  The timing also provided the opportunity to impact on the Employability Framework “Workforce Plus”. 

For more information please contact Lynne Ward, Equal Co-ordinator on 01236 616485 or   wardl@northlan.gov.uk 
Also visit the Equal Access website at http://www.equal-access-scotland.org.uk