The Solent Jobs Programme aimed to provide employment-related support to at least 1,200 long term workless adults with disabilities and health conditions across the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership area.
People in a range of different benefit groups were eligible for support, alongside lone parents. As well as supporting participants into work, it was intended to improve participants’ wellbeing and their self-efficacy where possible. The programme comprised:
- Intensive case management, skills and employability support
- Mental and physical health support
- Employment support and a subsidised job (known as a Transitional Employment Programme or TEP, which is based on an Intermediate Labour Market model).
Overall, 1,153 people registered to take part. Participants experienced a range of barriers to employment, which often interacted with one another. This included long-term unemployment, a lack of qualifications, multiple health conditions and living in a workless household. 94 per cent of referrals were from Jobcentre Plus.
A mixed method evaluation was used, which was part of the Southampton and Portsmouth City Deal agreement with national government. It was funded by the European Social Fund and City Deal/local matched funds.
