Decision details

The report seeks approval for the Sheffield’s Working Employment Programme 2017 - 2018 (The Programme).  This is an extension of the Sheffield’s Working Employment Programme 2016 – 2017, which was approved by the Cabinet Member for Business and Economy in August 2016. The Programme has been designed to support more of our most vulnerable residents to prepare for, enter, sustain and progress within work.

That the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families:-

(i) approves the Sheffield’s Working Programme 2017 - 2018 as set out in the report;

(ii) approves a 1 year extension to the following contracts detailed in the report:

Southey, Owlerton Area Regeneration(SOAR)

·         Zest

·         Reach South Sheffield

·         Manor and Castle Development Trust (MCDT)

·         Prospects

·         Royal Mencap,

·         Big Ambitions (Specialist Keyworker contract) 

·         Big Ambitions (Employer Champion contract)

·         Sheffield Citizens Advice

·         The Suit Works;

(iii) approves the award of a grant to the Autism Centre for Supported Employment (ACSE) for a further year; and

(iv) authorises the Executive Director, People Services, to take the necessary steps to implement these recommendations.

The Sheffield’s Working Programme directly supports vulnerable residents to find and sustain employment.

The terms of the existing agreements provide a 1 year extensions and the intention to extend the programme subject to a further report seeking approval was stated in the report to the Cabinet Member for Business and Economy seeking approval for the Programme for 2016-17.

In house Council delivery:

The Council is not in the position to deliver the wide range of outcomes as described in this report.

Not to fund the programme:

If the Council did not fund this programme, activity would not be delivered and outcomes for vulnerable people not achieved.