Foreword: Rt Hon Justine Greening, Chair - Purpose Coalition
Foreword: Reed in Partnership
The Journey to the Purpose Goals
Reed in Partnership and its role in the Purpose agenda
Mapping Reed in Partnership’s activities against the Purpose Goals
Addressing the inequality of opportunity that currently exists throughout the country has never been more crucial. Every individual, regardless of background, deserves the chance to improve their circumstances.
Levelling up is focused on addressing these inequalities, in specific areas where the issue is most acute. These areas are now most at risk of levelling down due to the squeeze on cost of living, consequently acting on these social inequalities has never been more crucial.
The pandemic and current cost of living crisis has heightened the expectation of businesses to put social good and purpose at the heart of what they do.
Purpose-led organisations are leading the way in addressing inequalities across society, the best of which display an appetite to support colleagues, customers and the wider communities they operate in.
Despite this, there is still much to be done.
Reed in Partnership is one of these purpose-led organisations, with an underpinning focus on delivering services that improve people’s lives. Throughout this report, its services for equalising opportunities for individuals and levelling up the communities it operates will be tracked against the 14 Purpose Goals.
Reed in Partnership, with its plethora of services directly targeted to improve people’s lives, understands the key to designing and delivering good public services is to root them in communities and provide them the flexibility to adapt to individual’s needs.
Organisations operating within the employability sector especially have an ever-increasing scope to contribute towards levelling up. They are directly involved in the delivering of opportunities and preparing those without the necessary skills for such opportunities.
The internal processes of Reed in Partnership’s employee programme also serves as a crucial contributor to levelling up communities it operates in across the country, with a commitment to giving staff the opportunity to learn, grow and advance their own careers.
Recognising the importance of health and wellbeing to people’s life chances is also a core part of Reed in Partnership’s approach. Reed Wellbeing – a stand-alone organisation within Reed in Partnership – delivers health and wellbeing services including weight management and diabetes prevention programmes. Given the wide ranging contributors to people’s health and wellbeing, it is important that the skills and insights developed by Reed Wellbeing can be integrated into other services Reed in Partnership provides.
Throughout this report, Reed in Partnership’s current purpose-led work will be tracked against the Levelling Up Goals framework, with possible recommendations on where the organisation can go even further.
Rhodri Thomas Managing Director
Reed in Partnership has been committed to ‘levelling-up’ since we were founded in 1998.
Our mission is to deliver services that improve people’s lives. Millions of people across the UK have benefitted from our services, across sectors including employability, health, justice and assessment.
We operate in some of the most deprived communities in the UK and can see first-hand the impact we make. Whether it is helping someone back into employment, giving a young person the chance to develop new skills or supporting people to live healthier lifestyles, the benefits are not only felt by individuals, but by whole communities.
This is levelling-up in action – extending opportunity regardless of place and background, in a way designed around individual needs and local circumstances.
None of this would be possible without our incredible people, and we are equally committed to their progress and development. Through our training programmes, we ensure everyone at Reed in Partnership has the opportunity to grow and succeed. In 2021 alone, over 200 participants in our Future Management Academy progressed to promoted roles.
As an organisation rooted in this mission, we have been delighted to partner with the Purpose Coalition.
The Levelling Up Goals provide a clear framework through which to judge the impact we make. The goals we have focused on in this report are deeply embedded in how we design and deliver our services, and how we look after and develop our own staff.
We are proud of the contribution we have made so far and look forward to doing more as we continue to Thisgrow.report will help guide how we do that.
“We are proud of the contribution we have made so far and look forward to doing more as we continue to grow.”
In 2015, as Secretary of State for International Development, Justine Greening MP led the UK delegation to the United Nations (UN). Along with 184 international partners, she helped to establish the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2017, the SDGs were made more ‘actionable’ by a UN resolution adopted by the General Assembly which identified specific targets for each goal, along with indicators used to measure progress towards each target. These 17 interlinked, global goals were designed to be ‘a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all’. They marked a shift from the previously established Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), following the Millennium Summit of the United Nations in 2000. In contrast to the MDGS, the SDGs were nationally-owned, country-led and targeted wealthy, developed nations as well as developing countries.
The SDGs emphasised the interdependent environment, social and economic aspects of development by centralising the role of sustainability. As Secretary of State, Justine recognised how useful a common set of accessible but ambitious objectives could be in galvanising action to effect change. Since then the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated many of the problems relating to social inequality in the UK. The recovery is a chance for the United Kingdom to address these issues and level up but that requires updated and specific goals in order to outline, inspire and measure progress. The most committed signatories of the Social Mobility Pledge, the Purpose Coalition, aim to improve social mobility in the UK and have responded to this challenge with the launch of the Purpose Goals in February 2021.
These new Goals build on the foundations laid by the UN’s SDGs by outlining 14 clear goals, and draw on expertise provided by academia and businesses which has been applied to the unique challenges facing the UK in levelling up. They focus on key life stages and highlight the main
“If Britain is to achieve levelling up, I believe that we need a galvanising set of goals that can unite Parliament, business, communities, and civil society to work in partnership for the common good of our country.”
issues that need to be resolved in order to create a level playing field for all in this country. The Purpose Goals are intended to guide how the urgent ambition to level up the UK can actually be achieved. The impact of the work carried out to do this can, and should, be measurable.
Sub-goals with quantifiable targets and measurements against which progress can be charted within the 14 goals are being developed by the Purpose Coalition. This will create a more transparent and mensurable framework with which to monitor and subsequently address problems of social mobility and inequality. The Purpose Goals are designed to look at the outcomes of CSR strategies and measures that organisations operate. Many organisations are doing outstanding work and making important contributions to society but are still measuring this via inputs – a measure that focuses on pounds, shillings and pence rather than real impact on human lives.
Crucially, these Goals are a shared framework. Justine and the wider Purpose Coalition, of which Reed in Partnership is a key member, believe that with a common understanding and objectives, there can be action that drives change on the ground. Distinct entities, including universities, businesses, policy-makers, and public sector bodies can work together, with the shared Goals being a uniting and motivating foundation for progress. As the problems which cause social inequality in the UK are interlinked, it seems that the response to these problems must also be collaborative.
The Purpose Coalition has encouraged businesses and universities to share their own best practice with other organisations so they are not only demonstrating their own commitment, but creating a shift towards purpose-led organisations. The Goals can encourage an extension of this co-operative exchange of information which can be used to help level up Britain.
The Reed Group of companies was founded on 7th May 1960 when Sir Alec Reed, aged 26, opened his first Reed office in Hounslow with just £75.
Along with Reed in Partnership and Reed, the recruitment specialists, the Group also contains Reed.co.uk – the UK’s leading job board, which attracts more than 150 million visits every year.
Reed in Partnership was launched in a single office in Hackney in April 1998 as one of the first employment support service providers in the UK.
As the organisation’s performance and expertise grew it expanded to deliver employment services across the UK. In the past three years alone, Reed in Partnership has grown from roughly 600 staff to almost 3,000 in 2022. This rapid growth in just the last few years has given Reed in Partnership a much larger scope to affect change.
Reed in Partnership has also diversified its business across a number of other sectors, delivering employability, skills and health services, working in some of the most deprived communities across the UK.
Its work in each of these sectors enables Reed in Partnership to achieve its mission: to positively transform people and their communities
It supports individuals, their families and the places they live to prosper - often under challenging circumstances.
With Reed in Partnership’s help, people start working,
improve their health, develop their skills and fulfil their potential.
Hundreds of thousands of people across the UK have benefited from accessing a Reed in Partnership service and using it to change their lives for the better.
While Reed in Partnership and the wider Reed Group have continued to grow as businesses, the Group has used this growth to reinvest into its purpose. Reed in Partnership is a trailblazer, setting the standard as business operating as a force for good.
The organisation also effectively works for charity one day every week, with 18% of the Reed Group owned by the Reed Foundation.
The Reed Foundation has provided seed funding for a number of charities, including Ethiopiaid, Womankind and Women at Risk. Founded by Sir Alec Reed in 2007, the ‘Big Give’ has helped to raise over £100 million for UKregistered charities.
In accordance with a continuation and furthering commitment to the ESG agenda, Reed in Partnership has matched its strategy against the 14 Purpose Goals, with a direct assessment against 6 of the most crucial and suitable to its organisational processes.
Reed in Partnership’s work with the Purpose Coalition will assess which areas the organisation is most strong, while offering recommendations as to where its impact can be more directly linked.
Clear and open pathways for young people leaving secondary school are central to a socially mobile generation.
Every young person, no matter their background, should have the choice between a high quality route in education, employment, or training.
Reed in Partnership meets Goal 3 through providing lifechanging experiences and employment support, bridging the gap from youth and education into adult life.
Its developmental support helps young people improve their skills, confidence, resilience and knowledge in order to identify and achieve their personal goals.
Working in conjunction with their parents and guardians, plus educational settings, the organisation helps create opportunities for achievement at this crucial time in people’s lives.
This includes improving engagement with education, accessing high quality, relevant careers advice and developing social consciousness and community awareness.
On behalf of the Greater London Authority and Careers & Enterprise Company, Reed in Partnership delivers the Careers Hub service in Central London.
The service helps young people to build the skills and experiences they need to achieve their potential. It does this by connecting businesses with schools and colleges to create a network of business volunteers.
Enterprise Advisers work with a school or college Careers Leader to provide their students with great careers guidance. They contribute to creating a careers support plan and help students to make informed and important decisions about their futures.
National Citizen Service (NCS)
Designed for 16-17 year olds, NCS is a Governmentsupported programme that runs every summer and autumn, during school holidays.
The experience is centred around energising young people, by giving them the experience of being an adult, without all the responsibilities. On NCS, participants live away from home and get a taste for independence. They mix with a new crowd of people and take on exciting challenges together.
The experience helps young people to develop skills that will set them up for life after school.
Since day one, in 2011, nearly 600,000 young people have taken part in NCS, completing over 14.5 million hours of community action, and gaining priceless life experiences.
Marcel, a Reed in Partnership participant, said of the experience: “NCS allows you to make a difference in your community. The experience taught us to give back.”
Young Careers is a Greater London Authority initiative that provides students in the capital with innovative careers advice. Reed in Partnership actively works with the Young Careers initiative to connect young people with employers, and give direct advice and guidance.
The service develops lasting relationships between schools or colleges and employers. Employers commit to providing a range of career activities that inform, inspire and educate students about their career options and the current world of work.
With Reed in Partnership’s help, schools are able to improve the quality of their careers advice by better reflecting local labour market trends, developing a high-quality careers advice plan and improving their adherence to all eight Gatsby Benchmarks.
Goal - Positive destinationsIn order to access employment and training opportunities, individuals, particularly in social mobility cold spots, need access to the necessary advice and experiences at the right time to take advantage of such opportunities.
Employability schemes are tailored to jobseekers to ensure they receive the right advice, training and upskilling where needed. Reed in Partnership not only delivers a range of skills training and development but is central in designing these services to suit the individual - expanding their horizons to unlock new opportunities
The organisation’s suite of training courses are proven to help people improve their life chances. It offers a range of face-toface and online training courses and assessments, including accredited qualifications and certifications developed with the individual in mind.
Every year Reed in Partnership supports thousands of jobseekers to access the skills, qualifications and licences they need to achieve personal development and support employability and personal and professional growth.
The organisation’s 24 year experience of employability support has helped more than 250,000 people to change their lives for the better by starting lasting and sustainable employment.
Reed in Partnership’s employability services give people the support they need to start working. Together, Reed in Partnership helps them create a plan of action that suits their personal needs and work ambitions. As part of this, people have access to:
• One-to-one expert adviser guidance
• Access to exclusive job vacancies
• High quality skills training
• CV help and interview preparation
• Health and wellbeing support
• Financial support with travel and work clothes
• Continuing in-work support and guidance.
Reed in Partnership shares its expertise and guidance - it helps people to understand their options and rights with independent and confidential guidance. The advice Reed in Partnership provides enables people to find positive solutions and improve their circumstances and prospects.
Reed in Partnership has delivered a wide range of Education and Skills Funding Agency contracts on behalf of the Department for Education, supporting tens of thousands of learners to develop their skills. Reed in Partnership currently delivers the Adult Education Budget funded provision across Greater London.
The Matrix Standard is the international quality standard for organisations that deliver information, advice and or guidance, either as the organisation’s sole purpose or as part of their service offering.
It is the unique quality framework for the effective delivery of information, advice and guidance on learning and work which ultimately supports individuals in their choice of career and life goals.
Reed in Partnership’s accreditation under the Matrix Standard displays a long-term commitment by the organisation to deliver quality advice and guidance to those who need it the most.
As part of Reed in Partnership’s work with jobseekers, it runs jobs fairs that bring together people and businesses from across local communities to open up access to employment.
Businesses across the private sector are reviewing and refreshing recruitment processes. To achieve truly equal and fair equality of opportunity, careers and professions must be open to people of all backgrounds through transparent and accessible recruitment mechanisms.
Reed in Partnership acknowledges that there are many factors that contribute to the job market being difficult for some people.
One may have been out of work caring for a child or relative, may have a health condition or disability. Or they simply may not have been unemployed for a while and don’t have the confidence or skills to look for work again. Whatever their circumstances, Reed in Partnership has found ways to make employment work for thousands of people, irrespective of background. Having been recertified as a Disability Confident Leader, the highest level of recognition on the Government’s Disability Confident Scheme Reed In Partnership are playing a leading role in ensuring the organisation is open and accessible to diverse skills, experiences and voices.
Reed in Partnership in particular carries out extensive strategic work in this area, not only offering recruitment options but providing services to change people’s circumstances and improve their lives.
The organisation is also vital in career longevity, matching the right candidates to the right employment opportunities.
Considering the labour market condition is varied across different areas of the country, a localised, people-focused approach is crucial.
Reed in Partnership delivers support for long-term unemployed jobseekers through delivery of the Department for Work and Pensions’ Restart Scheme.
Reed in Partnership provides a wide range of support options, including skills training, job application and interview preparation, financial help, online tools and health and wellbeing support.
Reed in Partnership provides the Restart Scheme in the Home Counties and North East & Humber as a prime provider. It also provides the service as a subcontractor in Derbyshire, Cornwall, West Midlands and South London.
Reed in Partnership assists people progressing through the justice system to successfully resettle into the community.
Its aim is to help reduce reoffending by supporting people to access sustainable education, employment and training opportunities.
The organisation achieves this by providing a range of holistic interventions and activities that address criminogenic needs, through a mix of direct delivery and partnership work with local specialist provision.
In partnership with HM Prison Probation Services CFO Activity Hubs provide safe and supportive spaces for men and women on licence, or serving a community sentence, to access important services.
This includes individual advice and guidance, peer engagement and development of personal plans to move forward into education, employment or training.
The CFO Activity Hubs contribute to development of the personal skills and purpose needed to desist from offending and integrate into communities through a wide range of engaging activities and developmental support.
Better Working Futures is Reed in Partnership’s name for the Work and Health Programme.
The service gives people who face additional barriers to finding work the best support.
Jobseekers work with their own Employment Adviser who takes time to understand their interests, skills, ambitions, experience, health and personal circumstances.
A plan is developed using this information and access to a range of support offered, including help managing a health or disability, personal skills development and job application support.
A range of personal support is available, drawing on local community services and a range of partner organisations.
Disability Confident Leader Accredited - The Disability Confident scheme supports employers to make the most of the talents disabled people can bring to the workplace.
Business Disability Forum Accredited - Reed in Partnership is a member of the Business Disability Forum.
The Forum supports organisations to become fully accessible to disabled people. Their aim is to transform the life chances and experiences of disabled people as customers and employees.
The Employer Recognition Scheme encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same.
Reed in Partnership is a silver award holder for pledging, demonstrating and advocating support to defence and the armed forces community, and aligning with the values of the Armed Forces Covenant.
In-work support is offered once employment is achieved.
The Job Entry: Targeted Support (JETS) service supports benefit claimants who have become unemployed as recently as 12 weeks ago, and was established as a rapid response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Support includes specialist advice on moving into growing sectors, as well as CV writing help and interview coaching.
Jobseekers will also receive access to financial support, including travel costs, interview clothing, health assessments and training - plus the opportunity to use Reed in Partnership’s Online Career Centre.
Reed acknowledges that ethnic minorities still face significant disparities in employment and progression, and that is something they themselves need to change.
Inclusion and belonging monthly course training and packages have been developed particularly in the past few years.
Reed in Partnership are pleased to be a provider
of a signatory of the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter.
Working Ways is Reed in Partnership’s name for the Intensive Personalised Employment Support service funded by the Department for Work and Pensions.
The service provides one-to-one support and training to people with a disability. The organisation’s Key Workers help people to manage work around their specific disabilities and match their skills to a job role. Reed in Partnership provides the service in partnership with Remploy.
Reed in Partnership maintains a close working relationship with Migrant Help to provide independent advice and guidance to assist asylum seekers in England to move through and understand the asylum process.
If an asylum seeker receives leave to remain in the country they can use Positive Move On Support to aid their integration.
Reed’s advice is impartial and independent and delivered through a series of contacts during a 28 day period. During this period the advice covers housing and welfare, national insurance, mainstream welfare and employment and other local provision. The service includes access to free interpreting and language support.
Robert’s Story
Robert from Stevenage, had been out of work for three years when he was connected with Reed in Partnership through the Restart Scheme.
As is too often the case, Robert’s period of unemployment was coupled with an increase in the effect his mental health issues were having on his day to day life.
As of January 2021, 43% of unemployed people had poor mental health, 16% higher than those who are employed. Robert’s period of unemployment and mental health battles was also coupled with some ongoing issues in his personal life, resulting in him having low confidence and self esteem.
Reed in Partnership’s Employment Adviser, Sam, recognised that Robert would benefit from more than just employability support, as Robert explained his struggles at the time.
Sam worked closely with Robert, creating an action plan to prioritise and help him cope with his personal life and mental health. Sam explained: “At the time, Robert had a lot of things going on at home, yet he didn’t let this get in the way of his goals to gain employment, and better his life, future, and independence.”
Sam enrolled Robert onto several of the organisation’s inhouse courses on the Restart Scheme, including ‘Reboot Your CV’, ‘Transferable Skills’, and ‘Interview Skills’. This supported Robert with the preparation for applying for job roles.
Once Robert was ‘job ready’, Reed in Partnership were able to provide vouchers for new interview clothes and reimburse his travel costs.
Sam said: “We worked together to get the support he needed through therapy sessions at Working Minds, and counselling with Reed Wellbeing. Robert regularly attended Employment Skills Training courses and the transformation in him was phenomenal.”
“We managed to get Robert a two-week training course with Hertfordshire College where he obtained qualifications in customer service for a large retailer, along with mental health awareness, employability, and food safety workshops.”
“Following Robert’s first interview, he had two department managers fighting over who would get Robert on their teamthis just shows what a positive impact Robert had not just on his classmates but also the employer.”
During an in-work support call, Robert told Reed in Partnership:
“I would recommend the Restart Scheme to anybody that wants help with employment. I participated in several courses through the Restart Scheme, and they were great in supporting me with my mental wellbeing, which helped me on my journey to get back into work. I’ve now successfully got a full-time position in Retail Operations, and I am really enjoying it.”
Reed in Partnership’s work goes far above and beyond merely employment services. Working with mostly unemployed people, the organisation is addressing the cause of the issue not just the symptom.
Reed in Partnership are directly helping people improve their lives and circumstances, helping them not just get a job but addressing and supporting the personal issues that have led to the participant becoming unemployed. This is no better illustrated than in Robert’s story.
Once an individual is in employment, opportunities for career development and advancement should be based on ability alone, not one’s connections.
Reed in Partnership offer a range of services to improve the lives of their employees through consistent salary reviews and numerous opportunities to challenge themselves through internal and external development opportunities.
All of Reed in Partnership’s Talent Management Programme is delivered by the internal Learning & Development Team. The team ensures that the same principles of advice, growth and progression are applied internally, upholding and safeguarding the individual-focused participant growth ethos to internal career development.
The Reed in Partnership Career Progression Frameworks involves performance related progression through the roles and pay grades. This is mapped against quarterly performance to improve salary and seniority.
Comprehensive work is carried out, in line with the Career Progression Framework to spot talent, nurture and develop it and provide opportunities for development and progression to support employee retention.
The Reed in Partnership Leadership & Development Team can place people in the Management Academy to support career development.
In 2021 alone the Future Managers Academy progressed 214 people into promoted roles.
Reed in Partnership was gold by the UK Employee Experience Awards 2022 for its Talent Management Programme.
Reed in Partnership has numerous free courses available for employees to enhance career development and support reskilling.
On a case by case basis, Reed in Partnership provides financial support for any employee who wishes to complete a course or qualification that is not relevant to their role and thus outside of the free course remit offered by the organisation.
Through interacting with our participants, Reed in Partnership staff can see every day the impact that rising inflation and the cost-of-living crisis is having on people.
To respond to this situation, Reed in Partnership have introduced a number of new products and initiatives into its programmes:
• Staff have organised a series of cost-of-living events to offer information and advice to participants on what help is available and how they can budget effectively. The organisation has brought together local authorities, utility companies and organisations including Citizens Advice and Shelter to offer expertise and guidance.
• Reed in Partnership are utilising expert local partners to upskill front-line Employment Advisers so they can adequately support and signpost participants needing help to the right local organisations.
• The organisation is also launching a cost-of-living toolkit, bringing together advice and information, which will be provided to participants.
Finally, recognising that energy costs is the primary concern of participants Reed in Partnership have spent the past few months developing a new Energy Advice product.
Reed in Partnership’s Smart Energy Check will provide tailored and bespoke advice to participants on how they can reduce their energy bills by simple changes in their home, affordable tips on home insulation and, crucially, sources of financial advice and support.
Goal 6: Fair career progressionFor people to truly fulfil their potential, improving the mental and physical health of both colleagues, participants and the wider community must be prioritised by Socialorganisations.mobility
cold-spots, areas most in need of levelling up, all too often are most deprived in terms of physical and mental wellbeing, which stunts the growth of individuals and communities.
In 2015, the Reed Group created Reed Wellbeing. The creation of a stand-alone organisation within the Reed Group of companies to serve a solely Health and Wellbeing focus signals the organisation’s wider attitude towards this Reedagenda.Wellbeing
delivers a number of services to help people live healthier lifestyles. Whether this is through the deliverance of NHS contracts, local government contracts, or private employer benefits - the health and wellbeing of communities, employees and participants underpins the organisation’s programme and contributes overwhelmingly towards levelling up.
In order for people to truly improve their lives, and thus level up wider communities as a whole, individuals need to be emotionally and physically ready for employment. Reed Wellbeing plays a crucial role in the wider Reed in Partnership employability services through three specific areas:
• Healthy Lifestyles - clinical education on exercise and diet.
• Self care essentials - guidance on improving mental health, stress and and anxiety management, general mindfulness and sleep therapy.
• Mental health awareness and empowerment - tools to help improve mood such as managing socialising, lifestyle and analysing certain habits.
Embedding these services within Reed in Partnership employability services ensures continuity and an assurance that high-level health and wellbeing guidance is administered across the organisation.
Across the organisation both externally and internally, the Reed Wellbeing online health check system is offered to participants and employees alike.
This system provides the organisation understanding of the physical, mental and financial health of all staff and participants.
The process also provides a completely personalised individual report for those involved, recommending specific modules and courses to improve one’s health and wellbeing.
The clarity this provides the organisation and the data within which to offer specific strategic schemes on employability or wider mental and physical health allows the organisation not only to continually improve but to level up the communities it operates in, directly improving the lives of participants.
Healthier You, NHS Diabetes Prevention ProgrammeReed Wellbeing have been commissioned by NHS England to deliver the NHS DPP in several areas across the country.
The service is a behaviour change programme designed to help people identified as at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes to prevent disease onset.
NHS Low Calorie Diet Programme - The NHS Low Calorie Diet Programme is a 12 month programme that supports people with diagnosed Type 2 diabetes.
Participants receive support to lose weight by controlling their calorie intake and help with behaviour change techniqueswith the aim of trying to put their diabetes into remission.
OneYou - OneYou - is an integrated lifestyle service that supports local adult residents to address a range of health issues through a single access point.
Reed Wellbeing helps participants develop a Health and Wellbeing Plan, based on an assessment of their current health and lifestyle. It then provides them with access to a range of interventions that help them improve their health.
Reed Wellbeing supports the One You programme across three different areas across the country; Haringey, Cheshire East and Leeds.
Specifically targeted in deprived areas, Reed Wellbeing and more widely Reed in Partnership through its range of health and wellbeing services is directly supporting people in improving their lives.
Amidst the panic following the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, people and organisations did what they could to help those fleeing.
The British Government evacuated the BBC staff who wished to leave, and they were relocated to the UK.
A number of the staff were retained by the corporation where roles were available, the remainder were given extra support to provide the stability to address the steps needed to adapt to life in a new country.
Recognising a need for urgent resources, the BBC approached Reed in Partnership, whose employment and resettlement services have helped hundreds of thousands of people to change their lives for the better.
In just thirteen days, Reed in Partnership developed the Rapid Employment and Settlement Support (RESS) service, designed specifically to provide meaningful support to those Afghans that had reached the UK.
The BBC said: “Last year, our utmost priority was to get our employees in Kabul to safety. Now, we are focused on ensuring each one of them is supported in every way possible. Reed in Partnership’s response to this challenge left us in no doubt that they share our mission: there’s a genuine desire, reinforced by the fact that they are offering this pro-bono, to support our Afghan colleagues in a time of great need.”
“We know first-hand from those using Reed in Partnership’s service that they have found it an essential component to their integration. We are grateful to everyone who has been involved in this project for freeing up valuable time and resources to make sure our colleagues have every opportunity to provide a new life for themselves and their families.”
70 Afghan refugees have joined the service so far, which is a blended programme of support focusing on developing employment skills within a UK context, and a series of resettlement sessions providing information, advice, and guidance around housing, banking, and biometric residency permits.
Since Reed in Partnership launched the Rapid Employment and Settlement Support service, more than 20 Afghan refugees have so far either become employed, or have received job offers that are pending a start date.
More than 60 participants now have their National Insurance Number, and 53 have attended specialist Interview Skills and/or Effective Job Searching training. 11 people have now secured permanent housing.
Reed in Partnership and the BBC continue to work together in supporting people evacuated from the conflict in Afghanistan.
Reed in Partnership and the BBC continue to work together in supporting people evacuated from the conflict
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the stark digital divide across the UK - this divide is only becoming more acute with the current cost of living crisis.
In some areas people are divided by poor connection to the internet, in other cases people may have good broadband connection but cannot afford the devices or internet packages so many of us now take for granted.
Although the digital delivery of service is potentially very exciting, cost-effective and convenient, it cannot come at the expense of those who are not as digitally savvy. Reed in Partnership has specific plans to mitigate this eventuality.
As an organisation, it acknowledges that through its services, its experts can identify specific areas and individuals who do not have the devices, the IT know-how or access necessary to progress into employment.
Through directly supplying devices and services or simply through support and development schemes, the organisation is thus uniquely positioned to bridge the divide for those the least socially mobile.
Jobseekers using Reed in Partnership’s employability services are invited into their offices to use PCs and other devices for a range of needs.
There are also a number of different courses available while in the hub, or online, to help participants improve their IT skills.
Reed in Partnership partners with the Department of Justice to create specified digital hubs for ex-offenders recently out of prison to help them access the internet, improve their skills and find a job.
In response to staff being forced to work from home Reed in Partnership ensured that all staff had the necessary devices to enable a deliverance of material and work to be continued.
This was carried out in conjunction with Reed Wellbeing being moved online. Overall, this has led to colleagues having far better access and connectivity to wellbeing resources.
Over the pandemic period Reed in Partnership ran the first ever South West Virtual Job Fair.
Reed in Partnership works with Cosmic to provide training to job searchers. The training includes email account training and etiquette, internet use training and general IT and technology skill training.
As part of the previously mentioned Restart Scheme, if participants in the Restart scheme do not have access to certain technologies, tablets or devices, Reed in Partnership can provide these for them.
Participants who are enrolled on Reed’s employability programme will have devices and phone packages purchased for particular individuals who need them - supporting them even further on their job search and general employability.
Reed in Partnership’s secure, flexible and inclusive network delivers high quality assessments and qualifications, through end-to-end e-assessment services. This process brings together participants with employers, improving connectivity across the job market.
The organisation directly manages one of the UK’s most secure, flexible and inclusive Test Centre networks, providing driving theory tests on behalf of DVSA.
This network has been trusted by government, public and private sector organisations to deliver effective services for over 20 years.
This now includes rigorous and secure testing solutions that provide test-takers with equal opportunities access to a range of important assessments.
Reed in Partnership’s directly-managed network includes urban and rural locations, large candidate cohorts and bespoke mobile solutions for hard-to-reach communities.
This approach delivers mission-critical flexible services, such as booking and scheduling, to help exam owners securely run their assessment programmes and qualifications.
Reed in Partnership’s unique assessment offer:
• Flexible in location and delivery format
• Reliable, proven and integrable modular solutions
• Robust and responsive security features and processes
• Seamless service transition and implementation
• Dedicated continuous improvement structure
• Trusted multi-channel customer service.
Goal 10: Closing the digital divide
The organisation is uniquely positioned to bridge the divide for those the least socially mobile.
Reinforcing all of Reed in Partnership’s work across the Purpose Goals is an overarching commitment to ensuring all participants have the necessary resources and service access to improve their circumstances - in line with Goals 4, 5 and 10.
Through its comprehensive diagnostic and Action Plan process, the organisation ensures all jobseekers using its employability services have the right advice and guidance to develop a successful CV and application, with the necessary employability skills to excel in interview processes.
Reed in Partnership goes even further, with strategic and targeted CFO activity hubs for ex-offenders. Based in Croydon and Lewisham, individual advice and guidance, peer engagement and development of personal plans enables participants to move forward into education, employment or training directly.
This work is actively opening recruitment pathways for these groups, helping to improve their lives and the wider community, as well as reducing the risk of possible re-offending.
Reed in Partnership’s commitment to health and wellbeing can be seen with the establishment of Reed Wellbeing. Not only is this focused on the wellbeing of the organisation’s staff but also its participants and the communities it operates in.
Health and wellbeing is no longer a nice to have and Reed in Partnership recognises that. It is embedded into all of the programmes that the organisation runs and plays an important part in its culture.
The organisation is also leading the way in providing the technological resources necessary to job seekers who most need them to gain employment and then kick on in their careers.
AnalysisIts digital hubs offer PC and internet access, with the support of the Reed in Partnership team on hand.
Reed in Partnership’s comprehensive employability programme identifies individuals who need certain devices or internet packages and purchases these for them, directly closing the digital divide that hampers social mobility.
Hundreds of thousands of people across the UK have benefited from accessing a Reed in Partnership service. As the organisation continues to grow this number will only Importantly,increase.Reed
in Partnership is committed to use this growth to do even more for its colleagues, clients and communities. It is a great example of an organisation that understands the wider role that it can play in society and the importance of its purpose.
Reed in Partnership has a significant amount of data regarding vulnerable unemployed individuals and specific areas where these numbers are comparably higher.
Using this data in a way that means these individuals and areas are targeted strategically for specific schemes and initiatives could enable the organisation to level up whole communities leading to higher levels of social mobility across the country.
Specifically targeting known pockets of deprivation and high unemployment for tailored job openings, employment confidence, and upskilling/reskilling schemes could contribute towards equalising opportunity in the areas that need it the most.
A more comprehensive tracking and measuring of the socio-economic background of Reed in Partnership employees enables a further understanding of the workforce.
This could lead to a deeper understanding of the barriers to career progression and where financial support, especially prevalent now r.e the cost of living crisis, could be more deliberately offered.
Background tracking could be done through 4 specific questions developed by the equality of opportunity coalition:
• “What was the occupation of your main household earner when you were aged 14?
• Which type of school did you attend for the most time between the ages of 11 and 16?
• If you finished school after 1980, were you eligible for free school meals at any point during your school years?
• Did either of your parents attend university and gain a degree (e.g. BA/BSc or equivalent) by the time you were 18?”
Reed in Partnership’s expertise can help shape the wider levelling up agenda from the perspective of a purpose-led business operating on the ground.
The long established links the organisation holds with government and across the industry ensures it has the scope to lead by example.
Reed in Partnership should use its know-how and positioning in the sector to be a firm and clear advocate for purpose-led business focused levelling up. Taking advantage of its relationships with key stakeholders, government departments and the wealth of ties in the communities it operates in, Reed in Partnership can leverage its own efforts on social impact to create a unified and greater impact for local people and communities.
Considering the incoming government’s position on business as central to growth, Reed in Partnership is in an increasingly wellsuited position to lead the way on enterprise-led social value generation.
