London Employment and Skills Policy Network

15 March 2012 2pm - 4pm

Venue: LVSC 200A Pentonville Rd London N1 9JP

Chair: Kathrine Quiller-Croasdell, Cardboard Citizens

Round of introductions.

Steve Kerr (LVSC) gave a quick update on some LESPN-related matters:  Firstly, thanks to Kathrine for agreeing to chair at extremely short notice.  An advisory group has been established for LESPN to help set priorities for the network, etc. The group is comprised of representatives from: Action Acton, BTEG, Community Links, Crisis, Employability Forum, LTEN, Open College Network, St Giles Trust, Third Age Foundation, Women Like Us.  LVSC has been invited to put forward a voluntary and community sector nominees to sit on the Skills and Employment Working Group of the London Enterprise Panel. Thanks to everyone who put their names forward at short notice, there was a very high level of interest and many high quality candidates. The nominee will be chosen soon and will use the LESPN as a sounding board for issues facing the sector.  Sad news that LVSTC has wound up. LVSC is working with former LVSTC staff and other partners to develop a new Technical Assistance programme for the VCS in London.  LESPN is not planning any particular activity around the mayoral election, however LVSC is part of a collation of organisations called Family Friendly London which has developed a manifesto which contains some employment-related asks. Details here: www.familyfriendlylondon.org.uk  LVSC and Rocket Science are hosting a supply chain networking event for the two London NEET programmes currently being commissioned, the GLA ESF Youth Programme and the YPLA Youth Contract. It is open to VCS subcontractors and shortlisted lead contractors and will be take place on 10 April 2012 at The Gallery, 77 Cowcross Street.

Presentation: Pauline Daniyan, Greater London Authority

Presentation available for download here: http://bit.ly/vMCo6Z

Pauline stressed that the GLA is targeting the hardest to help NEETs in its ESF programme. This ESF programme sits alongside a wide range of other provision for young people delivered by the GLA. GLA is hoping to see strong partnership bids.

1 Questions: Rich Cook (Princes Trust) and Toyin Fagbemi (LTEN) asked about the first stage application process managed through CompeteFor. Pauline replied that bidders need to demonstrate that they are capable of delivering the project, but that there will be further opportunities for finalising supply chains following the short listing.

Presentation: Richard Bell, Skills Funding Agency

Richard explained that the SFA did not have a statutory planning role, but predominantly a regulatory role. Colleges and providers were now being given the freedoms and flexibilities to shape delivery. An announcement about the award of the SFA ESF contracts will be made soon. SFA does not expect to launch any more procurement rounds this year.

Questions: Daniel Khan (Open College Network) said that the rules around eligibility for fee remission were impacting disproportionately on BAME women. OCN London region had around 6000 students doing Access to Higher Education qualifications, and many were BAME women over 24 who were returning to study. They now had to get a student loan in order to access HE, where they would have to take on further debt. The rules had tones of racism and sexism. Richard replied that the policy was not racist or sexist. Anyone could access the course, it was just a matter of where the funding came from, in this case from the individual taking a loan rather than from the provider.

Jo Barter (CITE) said that the SFA guidance recommends that management fees for subcontracting should be between 5 and 15 per cent. However, she sees management fees much higher than that, between 25 and 47 per cent. What is the SFA’s view? Also, what work is being done to prepare for the introduction of job outcome payments within SFA contracts. This is a strength of the voluntary and community sector.

Richard said that subcontracting is a new dimension to SFA’s work and SFA is keeping a register of subcontracting problems. However, it cannot intervene in contracts. SFA is open to receiving information on subcontracting issues affecting VCS in London.

In terms of job outcomes, the model for outcome payment hasn’t been decided yet. SFA is currently collecting information on how colleges are achieving job outcomes, an developing links with Jobcentre Plus, employers, etc.

ACTION: Steve Kerr to collect information fro LESPN members on subcontracting challenges in the skills sector, and report back to SFA.

2 ACTION: Steve Kerr to follow up with Richard to get further detail on job outcome pilots, and disseminate to LESPN members.

Martin Prescott (HT Group) pointed out that FE colleges tend to do less, not more, subcontracting when budgets are cut. If the SFA wants to get better value, it should contract directly with VCS organisations and cut out the middle man. Richard replied that consortia of VCS groups can bid for SFA contracts, as long as they meeting the various contracting requirements.

ACTION: Steve Kerr to follow up with Richard to get further detail on rules around consortia bids (turnover, track record, etc), and disseminate to LESPN members.

Simin Azimi (Refugee Women’s Association) said that the SFA should set an upper limit for management fees, that colleges were bound by.

Presentation: Lizzi Holman, Reed in Partnership

Lizzi explained that all referrals onto the programme came from local authorities. To ensure that the programme complements existing local provision, Reed has developed a different set of progress measures for each borough. Accessing flexible work that fits around family life will be a priority for customers on this programme. A list of subcontractors for the programme will be published on the Reed website soon. At this stage there are not quite as many referrals as expected. VCS groups working with families who they think would benefit from the programme can contact Reed, who will approach the local authority to invite them to refer the relevant people.

Questions: Anna Burke (Eco Actif) commented that in some boroughs where Eco-Actif is delivering the programme, there is a conflict with the DCLG’s Troubled Families provision, which is almost identical in terms of the target families, progress measures, and outcomes. This is creating enormous confusion. Lizzi said that this was a conflict in many boroughs.

Steve Kerr (LVSC) asked whether Reed has able to give any indication of the volume of customers coming on the programme, and how they are spread across London. Lizzi said that DWP prevents Reed from providing any figures or information on referral volumes.

Discussion on future of ESF Technical Assistance.

Steve Kerr (LVSC) introduced the topic by saying that LVSTC has wound up, and there was now a danger that their enormous experience in European Funding would be lost to the sector. LVSC is working with former LVSTC staff and other partners to develop a new Technical Assistance programme for the

3 VCS in London. It would be useful to hear views from people at the meeting on what kind of support a Technical Assistance programme could provide in future.

Ray Phillips (ex-LVSTC) said that European funds were very important to the VCS, and the 2014-2020 ESF programme was an very important opportunity. The sector needs to lobby to shape the next programme to tackle London priorities, especially poverty.

John Griffiths (Rocket Science) said that given the lack of match funding being made available by the public co-financing organisations in London, some of London’s prime contractors should consider contributing match. It could be an extremely good value investment in supporting and enhancing their programme delivery.

Martin Prescott (HT Group) said that there was a role for a sort of organisational support and consultancy service, similar to what 3SC offers.

Simin Azimi (Refugee Womens Association) said that LVSTC had been doing all the right things, and had enormous credibility within the sector. A new project should begin by learning from what they did well.

Ingrid Gardiner (Equal Footing) said that a new project must not forget the importance of the lobbying function.

Meeting closes.

4 Attendees:

Abdulla Almamun, Osmani Trust Alex Rainbow, London Community Resource Network Amanda Francis, Rinova Andy Boaden, Community Action Southwark Anna Burke, Eco-Actif Arlene Boreland, Irish Travellers Movement in Britain Corin Piling, Cardinal Hume David Palfreman, Training for Life Debby Kennett, London Gypsy and Traveller Unit Derek Wheeler, Harringey EBP Elaine Gunn, LB Southwark Eugene Blavo, LEAP Fabricio Catroppa, Praxis Fahira Mulamehic, Refugee Council Genefer Victorin, Bromley By Bow Centre Geraldine Lindsay, London Gypsy and Traveller Unit Ingrid Gardiner, Equal Footing Jean Rolfe, Green Corridor Jenny Pounde, Elfrida Rathbone Camden Jo Barter, CITE Jo Oxlade, Circle 33 Housing John Griffiths, Rocket Science Kathrine Quiller-Croasdell, Cardboard Citizens Lizzi Holman, Reed in Partnership Martin Prescott, HT Group Nicolle Oshinowo Pauline Daniyan GLA Philip Mathew, 15 billion Rachael Bailey, Women Like Us Ray Phillips Rich Cook, Princes Trust Richard Bell, Skills Funding Agency Saiful Alam, Osmani Trust Serkan Baykusoglu, Social Studies Sheniz Tan, Lionheart in the Community Simin Azimi, Refugee Womens Association Steve Kerr, LVSC Sylvia Francis, Third Age Foundation Toyin Fagbemi LTEN Vitalis Chigbu, Lifeforce Global Academy W Livingston Gilchrist, MLB Solutions