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Getting People into Work

The People into Work Blue Print


The OCS Foundation seeks to tackle the causes and effects of poverty in the UK by developing the capacity and skills of our community's socially and economically disadvantaged members. Over the past three years, we have developed the People into Work program.  We are excited to share the findings and methodology with you, which will be available through a detailed blueprint and accompanying managers guide that will be freely available for all businesses across the UK.

"We are proud of its success and eager to share our experience with others."

The Blueprint

The Blueprint document presents the People into Work program, an evidence-based approach to recruitment. The program aims to deliver economic, social, and governance (ESG) goals while changing the lives of people in the communities.

It provides proof of concept and tools for companies to deliver the program. The program enables companies to tap into pools of people who would otherwise not have been considered for jobs before. The document highlights that companies will need an authentic commitment, dedicated resources, partners, and people in the right environment to deliver the program.

The program emphasises a partnership approach and person-centred principles in a business environment, producing positive outcomes of improved health and wellbeing, and economic gain for individuals.  Click here to download the Blueprint

The Blueprint - People into Work

The Recipe Book

The Recipe Book supports the Blueprint for People into Work, which aims to provide businesses with access to new employees who demonstrate commitment to their jobs, have higher retention rates, and lower absences. The program also offers tools to recruit the right person for the job and provides partner organisations and contract managers knowledge on how to support incoming employees.

 

The program is designed to help people who may have barriers such as low self-esteem, health issues, or lack of experience, and who may need additional support to stay in work. The benefit of reading this PDF is to gain an understanding of how the People into Work program can benefit businesses by providing them with access to committed and reliable employees and the support they need to succeed in the workplace. Click here to download the People into work Recipe Book.

The Recipe Book - People into Work

Watch the video below to see how the People into Work programme is supporting one of our colleagues Bunni.

Watch the video below to see how the People into Work programme is supporting one of our colleagues Amma.

How we worked to create the Blueprint

Bromley by Bow Centre, Clarion Futures and Well North Enterprises
The OCS Foundation works in partnership with organisations including Bromley By Bow Centre, Clarion Futures and Well North Enterprises to deliver a UK-wide People into Work program, aimed at bringing meaningful employment opportunities to local people with anticipated outcomes of improved health and well-being and economic gain.

The program was designed to create a blueprint for employers which the OCS Foundation. From our initial pilots in 2019, we have developed a model of good practice and a holistic, person centred approach. The program engages with people furthest removed from the workplace, for example, who may be entering the workplace for the first time, returning to work after illness, or who do not have the necessary written, reading or language skills to find suitable employment.

To develop and refine the program, the OCS Foundation has initially placed candidates in roles with OCS. To date, candidates have been successfully placed at several participating customer sites.

Young people and veterans

Before the program, the life experiences and challenges of some of our new candidates included homelessness, alcohol addiction, returning to work after raising children, and being a full-time carer living with stress and anxiety. The OCS Foundation is now also focusing on young people and veterans and supporting them into work.

Our learnings

Our pilot project in 2019 enabled 60% of applicants to be successful in securing a sustainable job and 44% remained in post.

A full evaluation report, detailing good practice and learnings, and a Toolkit to support delivery of the program has been produced and are shaping and informing the development of our two-year program.

This will generate a proof of concept that will be shared with the wider Facilities Management sector in support of opening opportunities for people who would otherwise not have them.

People into Work - a case study

Our program partners each identify the uniqueness of the project because of its front-end support and the extremely caring approach of the OCS Team. The program helped Christiana get a permanent job meaning she can enjoy a better financial position and improved health and wellbeing.

Christiana says, "My managers have been very supportive in the work I do. I feel strong now I am working".

Watch our team share their experiences of the People into Work program.