STW News 0411

On-line news & events from Steps to Work I Walsall I Caldmore I Wolverhampton I Bloxwich I Darlaston I Issue 8 I April 2011 I www.stepstowork.co.uk

EMPLOYMENT SHOP OPENS IN CALDMORE WHAT IS TUPE ?

THE NEW WORK PROGRAMME MATRIX APPRENTICESHIPS RED NOSE DAY 2011 COMMITTED 2 EQUALITY WALSALL LIFELONG LEARNING AWARDS COMIC RELIEF FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

To-Work http://facebook.com/people/Stepshttp://twitter.com/StepsToWork

people / skills / jobs

STW NEWS ISS

UE 8 01.04.11

On-line news & events from Steps to Work I Walsall I Caldmore I Wolverhampton I Bloxwich I Darlaston I Issue 8 I April 2011 I www.stepstowork.co.uk

Employment Shop opens in Caldmore The Caldmore ‘One Stop’ Employment shop (COSS) finally opened its doors to the public on 14th February 2011 after 8 months of delivery from the Mobile Information Unit.

Situated at 14 Caldmore Green, the prime location site is right in the heart of the community, ready to engage with residents from across Walsall and specifically those living in Caldmore, Palfrey and Pleck.

The programme started in April 2010 and has since engaged and supported over 900 customers, assisting residents with advice and guidance, CV completion, support with application forms and interview preparation as well as being able to finance training, in work support such as clothing, tools and travel.

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The team, lead by Heather Saranne, supports customers on a one-to-one basis according to their individual needs and career aspirations.

Future plans include the development of the project partner organisations who can deliver weekly surgeries at the shop, such as health trainers, stop smoking service, Jobcentre Plus advisors and Prospects. This will enable customers to access a wide range of support in one community location.

All aboard the Van that can!

Since August last year, COSS have been in partnership with Walsall Probation Service, taking the Mobile Information Unit (MIU) on site every Thursday. Offenders have been signposted to appropriate support in the area.

On board COSS have been able to offer advice and guidance to offenders who are ready to begin the transition into employment. COSS were nominated for and won the Performance Through People Raising Aspirations Award at the recent Walsall Lifelong Learning Award ceremony at Banks’ Stadium for this successful partnership working which aims to move a difficult client group towards achieving their goals..

Caldmore ‘One Stop’

Employment Shop Working in Partnership with

Our full contact details are: Caldmore One Stop Shop, 14 Caldmore Green, Walsall. WS1 3RL Telephone: 01922 720114 Text: 07918 940172 Email: enquiries@steps to work.org

investing in your future European Regional Development Fund European Union

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On-line news & events from Steps to Work I Walsall I Caldmore I Wolverhampton I Bloxwich I Darlaston I Issue 8 I April 2011 I www.stepstowork.co.uk

Keeping you informed

The new Work

TUPE (The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations)

Programme

What is TUPE? Protects employees' terms and conditions of employment when a business is transferred from one owner to another. In this situation, ‘business’ is referred to as the FND and CTF contracts.

On the 1st April 2011, the Coalision Government unveiled the private and voluntary sector organisations that will deliver its flagship work programme from June 2011.

Employees of the previous owner (STW were the contract holders for the FND programme). When the business changes hands employees automatically become staff of the new employer (FourStaR) on the same terms and conditions. It's as if their employment contracts had originally been made with the new employer.

Steps to Work will be subcontractors for FourstaR who are contractors for the West Midlands, Birmingham and Black Country CPA. Appointed by Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to deliver the Welfare to Work Programme, Flexible New Deal (FND).

Steps to Work are expected to be involved in the delivery of the Work Programme as sub contractors for FourstaR.

Your continuity of service and any other rights are all preserved, the only terms and conditions that may change are that of your pension (see Personnel for further details). Both STW and FourstaR are required to inform and consult employees affected directly or indirectly by the transfer, which is expected at the beginning of May. Steps to Work confirms that every post listed as part of the FND and CTF programme will be listed on the list of potentials for TUPE, including corporate staff and would like to re-literate, that posts are effected, not people.

The Chief Executive will release news bulletins as soon as more information is available from DWP.

For further information on TUPE, visit the ACAS website or for your questions and answers log: J:\Steps To Work\cabinet\PERSONNEL\FAQ's TUPE 2011.doc

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On-line news & events from Steps to Work I Walsall I Caldmore I Wolverhampton I Bloxwich I Darlaston I Issue 8 I April 2011 I www.stepstowork.co.uk

matrix

ISO update The surveillance visits went well in February; However, Quality are awaiting the final report from NQA as soon as its finalised a full report will be given to everyone.

The four elements relating to delivery are:

The four elements relating to management are:

1 - People are made aware of the service and how to engage with it Promotion ensures the accessibility of information about the service

5 - Service delivery is planned and maintained Defining measurable aims and objectives and setting up systems to deliver the service

2 - People’s use of the service is defined and understood Defining and understanding the service available and clarifying key policies and practices 3 - People are provided with access to information and support in using it Providing information in accessible forms and assisting people to use it 4 - People are supported in exploring options and making choices Providing information, advice and/or guidance to assist people to review choices

6 - Staff competence and support they are given are sufficient to deliver the service Maintaining and developing the competence of those delivering the service 7 - Feedback on the quality of the service is obtained Obtaining feedback from users of the service, those involved in delivery of the service and other agencies 8 - Continuous quality improvement is ensured through monitoring, evaluation and action Evaluating the effectiveness of the service and planning improvements.

Come the 3rd May we should have a further 15 ISO auditors to add to the already 28 auditors, who can undertake ISO audits.

Good practice and areas of improvements from audits Good use of filing system at some of the STW branches.

Areas of improvements Poor photocopying of documentation, leaving footers missing, documents at a slant.

P.S from the Quality Manager: ISO audits - It has been bought to the Quality Managers attention that, auditors are not saving the completed audit forms (QF27) to the system.

All ISO Auditors need to ensure that upon completion of your audit, the document is save to J:\Steps To Work\WMQC\Steps to Work Business Management System v5 11.02.2010\Section 3 Check and Act working documents\Internal Audits.

The same is applicable to non-conformances.

If you have any questions relating to ISO, please email Jayne Griffiths.

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On-line news & events from Steps to Work I Walsall I Caldmore I Wolverhampton I Bloxwich I Darlaston I Issue 8 I April 2011 I www.stepstowork.co.uk

Apprenticeships – Performance Through People As ever before, Steps to Work believe partnership working to be a critical factor in succeeding. After linking up with Performance through people, Steps to work are now in the process of creating an Apprenticeship scheme which will offer the opportunity for young adults to learn while they earn.

The scheme is aimed at recruiting 19-24 year olds who are finding it difficult to gain the correct qualifications to get them into work. The apprenticeships on offer provide people with the chance to earn a wage whilst gaining the skills and experience needed within the workplace.

Alongside Performance through People, Steps to Work aim to recruit 20 apprentices to start a Business Administration level 2 NVQ, this particular qualification and set of skills will give them the perfect opportunity to seek further employment. As Business Administration is such a widely used skill, there will be plenty of job opportunities for them, after the scheme.

This new found partnership with Performance through People and the apprenticeship scheme is another move made by Steps to Work to get young adults into employment.

The core aim is to provide these youngsters with the qualifications, skills and the confidence to better themselves and start a career.

Performance Through People

In total we raised £205.65p for projects that help those in need both in the UK and I Africa. Staff donated £2 each for dress down day and the NEETs group at Wolverhampton organised a sports day to boost the total by £50 alone.

The core aim is to provide these youngsters with the qualifications, skills and the confidence to better themselves and start a career.

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On-line news & events from Steps to Work I Walsall I Caldmore I Wolverhampton I Bloxwich I Darlaston I Issue 8 I April 2011 I www.stepstowork.co.uk

Committed 2 Equality After originally receiving the Gold Status award in October 2008, Steps to Work have worked very hard in order to maintain the status. In January 2011, Steps to Work was accessed to determine whether we still compelled to Committed to Equality standards.

A number of the Steps to Work staff across all departments were interviewed and asked numerous questions regarding the way they were treated within the business. They discussed how they believed equality to be the core of everything Steps to Work were involved and that it showed in the way the staff were treated and trained. Steps to Work were awarded an average score of 92.5% in the Committed to Equality assessment which recognises how equality is of paramount importance in our business culture.

As a training and employment organisation, we understand the importance of such an award and how it shows fellow organisations and the local people that we count one another as equals and will always attempt to create to the right atmosphere for our staff and our customers.

The people heavily involved in maintaining the Gold Status were Raj Sarai and Alison Jefferies, who are both determined to see the Committed to Equality Logo an ever present within the workplace.

The Committed to Equality interviewer was said to be extremely pleased with how equality focused Steps to Work was and commented...

“I am very impressed with the procedures that take place

and the culture on show at Steps to Work and believe that

equality is something that is deeply embedded with the company”.

Steps to Work are extremely pleased with the award with Alison Jefferies stating “Achieving the Committed to Equality Gold award proves that Steps to Work is committed to Equality & Diversity and that all employees and Senior Management understand its importance.

The auditor from C2E spoke to a number of individuals across the organisation including Personnel, her comments were extremely positive and the interviews revealed that employees and Managers at Steps to work are passionate about Equality & Diversity and understand its importance”.

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On-line news & events from Steps to Work I Walsall I Caldmore I Wolverhampton I Bloxwich I Darlaston I Issue 8 I April 2011 I www.stepstowork.co.uk

Walsall Lifelong Learning Awards Nominee Paula Billiard Fay Hurst Mark Taylor Juliette Trueman Aaron Betteley Laura Allen Andrew Munn Phil Davies Kevin Brown Community Task Force Shaune Calame Leanne Reynolds Leighanne chettham Colleen Mccabe Mobile Information Unit Steps to Work Deb Harborne-Smith

Category Title

Nominator

The Walsall learning champions award The learning towards employment award The overcoming adversity award The overcoming adversity award The learning towards employment award The learning towards employment award The senior learning award The learning towards employment award

Rukhsana Begum Deb Harborne-Smith Rukhsana Begum Dave Humpage Dave Humpage Holly Kinsey Vicky Waterfield Cameron Fowler Steve Pearcey

The collaboration and partnership award The overcoming adversity award The learning towards employment award The building better people award

Angela Barker Sarah Watkinson Helen Lawton Daryll Gallagher

The raising aspirations award The Walsall learning champions award

Carol Kendrick Tamara Crutchley

The 13th Walsall Lifelong Learning Awards were held last night 16th March, organised by Walsall Lifelong Learning Alliance. The Awards celebrate the extraordinary achievements of people in Walsall.

Last nights guest speaker, Steve Backshall, Naturalist, wide life expert and TV presenter of recent BBC nature series ‘Deadly 60’, Steve wowed the audience with his lifelong learning achievements in finding new species from around the globe.

Steve brought onto the stage, snakes, snapping turtles, python and a beautiful owl hawk. Everyone who attended the awards admired Steve Backshall’s endurance events, his outdoor sports and most importantly his inspirational words had the crowd engaged, excited and enthusiastic. It was joy to watch and we all learnt quite a lot too.

Steps to Work were nominated for 2 awards by Frank F Harrison Community College and Walsall Probation, and have been awarded the Performance through People Raising Aspirations Award for the Mobile Information Unit service, which has been dedicated in supporting offenders into work and is a crucial way of reducing reoffending.

Carol Kendrick, Walsall Probation Service Officer in the Keeping on Track Group says: “The Mobile Information Unit has been providing residents with an outreach service, going into the most vulnerable areas of Walsall to support and regenerate the Borough in one of Walsall’s most deprived areas.

The services will include specialist employment advice, employability development, training, subsidised work placements, work readiness, confidence building, mentoring, access to work equipment, childcare, subsidised travel, bespoke tailored support. This is a project individual to Walsall and, there is no other service like it in our area that is supporting communities and giving outreach support to those who need it most and has been very successful so far.”

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On-line news & events from Steps to Work I Walsall I Caldmore I Wolverhampton I Bloxwich I Darlaston I Issue 8 I April 2011 I www.stepstowork.co.uk

Walsall Lifelong Learning Awards Steps to Work Future Routes learner, Colleen McCabe, walked away with the Black Country Training Building Better People Award. Having a difficult upbringing and a negative attitude towards school, she left at the age of 16 with no GCSEs or qualifications; she joined the “Future Routes” programme at Steps to Work.

She did this to gain extra qualifications before she began her College course at Birmingham College to become a fitness instructor.

Andrew Munn, a customer from Work on the Horizon had faced many barriers into finding employment, including some family and personal problems. Andrew had never given up and called into Work on the Horizon asking how to get into care work. Andrew attended courses in First Aid, Food Hygiene, Health and Safety and Manual Handling which would improve his CV. Happily Andrew passed all the courses with flying colours and has since been approaching all the local care homes offering his services voluntary to gain the essential work experience he needs . On top of volunteering towards a better future, Andrew has been teaching youngsters under the age of 14 by becoming a football coach and has been a role model towards younger people teaching them the skills and abilities he has learned and passing this on to future generations. Andrew has been successful in finding employment and starts his new job as a care assistant later this month.

Leighanne Chetham from the Community Task Force programme at Steps to Work was recognised for the Walsall Learning Champions Award for her difficult upbringing and exposure to substance misuse, which had prompted her to become a drugs support worker. A placement was sourced for Leighanne at Hi’s and Low’s, a drug user support group, working with users and attending drop in sessions, making time for others who needed to talk to someone.

Leighanne has completed a voluntary extension of her training programme and still continues to work with the people she has always wanted to. Whilst on the programme Leighanne has completed several qualifications including Drugs Awareness, Domestic Violence, First Aid, Health and Safety and is currently expanding her lifelong learning ambitions by undertaking a Level 3 in Care as well as Advice and Guidance.

Future Routes Project Officer, Deb Harborne-Smith was awarded the Steps to Work, Learning Champions Award, in recognition of her achievements in working with vulnerable young people both inside and outside of work.

Congratulations to all 15 nominees who have been recognised for their achievements towards lifelong learning. The evening has been a huge success for Steps to Work and the Walsall Lifelong Learning Alliance, proving that the company is having a positive impact on its community and, is going from strength to strength to support its employees, customers and partners in creating a better skilled society in which we all live and work.

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On-line news & events from Steps to Work I Walsall I Caldmore I Wolverhampton I Bloxwich I Darlaston I Issue 8 I April 2011 I www.stepstowork.co.uk

BLOXWICH TOWN CENTRE

Case Study:

Andrew Munn, Work on the Horizon Andrew had been working as an Apprentice Trainee Mechanic from March 2008 until August 2010 working towards an NVQ Level 2 in HGV Mechanics.

Andrew had a difficult childhood and due to some personal problems needed to have time off from the Garage which resulted in the company terminating his employment leaving him unable to complete the last unit of his NVQ. After this, Andrew visited numerous garages offering his services voluntary to be able to finish his last unit of his NVQ with no success.

Andrew became extremely disheartened and felt that he now faced long term unemployment.

At the time, Andrews Grandma was in a care home and he saw the work that was being done there by the care workers which inspired him to think about having a complete change of direction.

Andrew called into Work on the Horizon asking how to get into care work. Andrew was advised that a series of short courses in First Aid, Food Hygiene, Health and Safety and Manual Handling, would improve his CV. Over the last few months all of the courses were fully booked, Andrew was extremely disappointed and because he was so anxious to do them he was told to he turned up on the dates they booked and if someone else failed to attend that he could take that place.

Good to his word, Andrew turned up at each one and fortunately there was always a spare place available. Happily Andrew passed all these courses with flying colours and has since been approaching all the local care homes offering his services voluntary to gain the essential work experience he needs.

Bloxwich ‘One Stop’ Employment Shop

On top of volunteering towards a better future, Andrew has been teaching youngsters under the age of 14 by becoming a football coach and has been a role model towards younger people teaching them the skills and abilities he has learned and passing this on to future generations. Andrew is an exceptional character who always goes above and beyond, and never gives up the hope of becoming a care assistant.

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On-line news & events from Steps to Work I Walsall I Caldmore I Wolverhampton I Bloxwich I Darlaston I Issue 8 I April 2011 I www.stepstowork.co.uk

WALSALL TOWN CENTRE

Case Study:

Colleen McCabe Colleen McCabe was at Streetly school when she first came to Steps to Work, and was referred because of her attitude towards education, others and was constantly truanting.

Colleen’s parents became separated and then divorced which contributed towards her attitude and behaviour. Colleen found it difficult to speak others about how she felt about issues in her family life.

When Colleen first came to Steps to Work she was a pleasant young girl that needed a sense of direction. Colleen started on the School Engagement programme where her attitude towards work was de-motivating and her attendance poor. On programme she worked towards ASDAN CoPE level 1. As the months went by Colleen began to take it upon herself to improve and catch up with work she had missed and returned to a fuller curriculum at school. Colleen even attended Steps to Work during the Easter holiday’s to improve on work that needed completing or perking up.

Colleen then was able to complete her CoPE level 1 folder to a high standard.

Once Colleen had left school, she joined the “Future Routes” programme at Steps to Work.

She did this to gain extra qualifications before starting her College course at Birmingham College to become a fitness instructor. Colleen’s attitude towards work continued to get better on programme while also keeping 100% attendance.

Colleen’s attitude towards members of staff and other learners was impeccable. Colleen would often help other learners by nominating herself first on different tasks and challenges the course had to offer and this would motivate the other learners to want to get more involved.

Since moving to Birmingham College, Colleen has gained employment as a part time team member at high street retailer NEXT. She works part time around her college course to help fund equipment she may need so she is self sufficient.

Colleen has proved that you can make a change even when you may sometimes feel it isn’t possible. Colleen is now working towards her long term goal of becoming a member of the British army.

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On-line news & events from Steps to Work I Walsall I Caldmore I Wolverhampton I Bloxwich I Darlaston I Issue 8 I April 2011 I www.stepstowork.co.uk

WALSALL TOWN CENTRE

Case Study:

Aaron Betteley Aaron is a young person aged 20 who had been out of work for 2 years. Not having many skills or work experience, Aaron had found sourcing work a real problem and felt very de-motivated and fed up with not having any financial security.

Not having many qualifications, Aaron was keen to take advantage of the support and advice Steps to Work could offer him to enable him to progress into work.

Aaron wanted a trainee position where he could learn on the job and gain skills and a work history. Referred to the Flexible New Deal programme at Steps to Work by Job Centre Plus, Aaron had no confidence or motivation in believing that he could achieve a job that would support him financially, without the support of receiving benefits. Steps to Work set up an in work benefit calculation, but at Aaron’s young age, it was unfortunate that he was not entitled to any other financial support. However, Aaron could access to a free 3 month bus pass from Workwise and a clothing allowance from Work on the Horizon once he had secured employment.

Steps to Work soon had Aarons CV typed up and ready to send out to employers, promoting all his best skills and ensuring that it would stand out from others. Aaron became increasingly confident and this reflected on his attitude and self belief.

Aaron was called for an interview as a Trainee Saddle maker at Throwgoods Saddlery in Walsall.

Aaron was successful at the interview and started work in November 2010. Aaron is very optimistic and positive about his future prospects long term as a Saddle maker.

“I have been really pleased and grateful for the support that Steps to Work have given me and without them id still be claiming benefits. It’s a great feeling to come into work in the morning” added Aaron.

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On-line news & events from Steps to Work I Walsall I Caldmore I Wolverhampton I Bloxwich I Darlaston I Issue 8 I April 2011 I www.stepstowork.co.uk

WALSALL TOWN CENTRE

Case Study:

Leighanne Chettham From a young age, Leighanne had been exposed to close family members with substance misuse. Things often became very difficult for Leighanne at home and so Leighanne always had wanted to become a drugs support worker. Leighanne didn’t have the confidence to believe in herself before she was referred to the community task force programme at Steps to Work.

As well as her battle for employment, Leighanne is a shining inspiration to the people she supports on her voluntary placement, who face their own hurdles because of their history of drug abuse.

Being unemployed, was an extra struggle for Leighanne to get into the field of work she always wanted. Leighanne knew that she wanted to make a real difference to people's lives.

Having ambition, Steps to Work needed to draw out the lack of confidence in Leighanne to make sure she gained a successful future. Leighanne always showed a standard of commitment and dedication that consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty to support both individuals

and their communities working with some of the most vulnerable and hard to reach groups including the homeless, prostitutes and those with mental health problems A placement was sourced for Leighanne at Hi’s and Low’s, a drug user support group.

Leighanne threw herself whole heartedly into the role, working with users and attending drop in sessions, making time for others who needed to talk to someone. Leighanne has wanted to develop and improve on her ambitions, which she constantly does, devoting her spare time to help and support others by attending team building days, country walks and camping.

Following Leighannes first hand knowledge of how people can be affected by drugs and alcohol misuse she was very understanding with the users, non judgemental and very confidential.

Leighanne has completed a voluntary extension of her training programme and still continues to work with the people she has always wanted to.

Whilst on the programme Leighanne has completed several qualifications including Drugs Awareness, Domestic Violence, First Aid, Health and Safety and is currently expanding her lifelong learning by undertaking a Level 3 in Care as well as Advice and Guidance.

We know at Steps to Work that Leighanne will succeed with her future ambitions in becoming a drugs support worker as she has exceptional commitment and dedication needed as well as the ability to go above and beyond what is necessary.

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On-line news & events from Steps to Work I Walsall I Caldmore I Wolverhampton I Bloxwich I Darlaston I Issue 8 I April 2011 I www.stepstowork.co.uk

Comic Relief Football Tournament On Tuesday 8th March 2011 staff from Steps to Work at Townend House participated in a football tournament at power league, Halesowen in aid of comic relief.

The tournament format was a league table with every team playing each other once and eventually the top two in the league standings would go through to compete in a grand finale.

The tournament was held by The Black Country Chamber of Commerce and teams from all over the Black Country were invited to play which was mostly made up from business/organisations from Dudley, Wolverhampton, Sedgley and Stourbridge.

The team was captained by Matt Lovatt, assisted by Shaun Calame.

Steps to Work FC breezed through the first stage, winning every game and only conceding 3 goals in the process and with such excellent displays, the lads made no mistake finishing top of the table. The team was now through to the final where they did Steps to Work proud, thrashing the opposition 5-0 before they were crowned the Chamber of Commerce 2011 champions.

A great time was had by all and the team were very proud to have represented Steps to Work in such an emphatic way! The lads also managed to gain some sponsors from staff across Steps to Work with all proceedings being sent to charity. Both Matt and Shaune stated that whilst they were delighted to have won the tournament, playing for such a worthy cause made for an all sweeter victory.

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On-line news & events from Steps to Work I Walsall I Caldmore I Wolverhampton I Bloxwich I Darlaston I Issue 8 I April 2011 I www.stepstowork.co.uk

Congratulations Adam Siciliano for passing Level 3 Advice and Guidance Tahmeena Mumtaz for completing her A1 Assessors Award Colleen Donnelly for passing Level 4 Advice and Guidance

Maria Guy, Hamaria Liagat, Peter Collett, Claire Madeley,

Teejay Quintyne Olivia Madkins, Shazna Begum, Kersty Cullum,

Jonathon Badyal, Samantha Lame, Carol Crowe, Shabeena Ali, Ravinder Bassi, Khadija Chopdat, Cody Cornish,

Mohammed Kaleem, Laim Horton, Christopher Roberts.

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