About Us
Past History
We were originally part of Community Action Derby. We have delivered New Deal programmes since 1998 and our experienced staff were seconded to the CIC (Community Interest Company) to continue delivery. Community Action set up the CIC following a review of its services, and its need to ensure non-primary purpose income generation was used effectively.
The CIC began in October 2009, delivering welfare to work programmes such as FND Stage 4 for A4E, and secured another subcontract with Intraining Group to deliver Community Task Force. We were one of the first successful organisations to bid for Future Jobs Fund round 1, which began in October 2009 to create 212 jobs, and secured a further successful FJF bid for additional 100 jobs by March 2011.
Over 51% of our FJF clients are still in work.
Through us, prime contractors have access to 850 voluntary and community groups in the city who have the potential to be involved in such large contracts and access to the network of infrastructure organisations within the Derbyshire boundary.
Our current delivery covers the city and South Derbyshire. Our previous New Deal contracts have included provision in Swadlincote, Belper, Uttoxeter and Matlock.
We now deliver 2 contracts under the work programme:
End to End provision for A4E Ltd - managing referrals and then working with our clients to ensure they are searching effectively for work and boosting their experience and CV through work placements, and
Vocational Routeway for Ingeus Deloitte - an 18 week support journey, enabling customers to reutnr to work through longer work placemnets and effective job searching.
Our approach has always been person-centred and 'flexibility' is a core part of our model. We have always offered high-level one-to-one support and moved clients within provision to increase their progression towards sustainable employment.
Our subcontracting organisations (for Future Jobs Fund employed opportunities and placements) are issued contracts that mirror our own both with DWP, the Jobcentre Plus and the prime contractor and are regularly monitored, vigorously checking auditable trails as required. Our aim is to support engagement of smaller groups.
We work very closely with other similar organisations who are delivering a range of welfare to work programmes in the city, to maximise the opportunities to move customers into sustainable work.
Engagement of the 3rd sector is a vital component to the success of the Work Programme, as our members are well placed to support with and engage with the 'hardest to reach'. Often these organisations are small and do not have the infrastructure themselves to cope with the monitoring and contractual obligations with large prime contractors. We add value by removing the complexity of working with these small organisations who themselves have vast experience of working with hard to reach people and communities.
Our Key strengths are local knowledge; 3rd Sector expertise; strong track record; experience of prime contractor model; person-centered customer approach; and experience of youth- focused programme delivery.