Southampton
We recently spoke to Southampton City Council’s Employment Support Team about how their pilot project the Adults Employment Hub has been supporting older jobseekers in the area.
About the service
Based in Southampton Central Library, the Employment Support Team provides information, advice and guidance to a broad range of people who are looking for work, and they use their network of local support services to help people progress towards, or secure employment. The council has been providing employment support for over 30 years, and in the ten years that Daniel (Interim Senior Development Officer) has been there, there have been many changes in both focus and funding.
The Adults Employment Hub opened in September 2024. This is the first in the country, set up with funding from the Department for Work and Pensions’ Flexible Support Fund, and follows the model of the youth employment hubs initiative rolled out across the UK in recent years. Southampton’s Adults Employment Hub has a bespoke offer for job seekers aged over 50.
How is the Adults Employment Hub different?
As you would expect of any employment support programme, the hub offers a variety of services, including: up to six months of focused support from a designated employment officer; practical support in effective job searching and applications; creating CVs and cover letters; interview practice; bridging support for entering and sustaining employment; access to appropriate training opportunities that are relevant to employment ambitions.
Environment
There are, however, features that make a difference to the way people engage with the hub, which the Employment Support Team see as essential elements of successful progress. Employment Officer Andrew highlighted that the library setting gives a community feel and builds on the person-centred, trauma- informed approach taken by the team. They are conscious of the impact that environment and personal interaction have on someone who may be managing multiple, complex, personal issues. Andrew explained:
It’s really centred around the client’s needs and ambitions… but it’s not all focused directly on providing that intensive employment support… it’s going at our clients’ pace; it’s more of a holistic approach to supporting that individual.
He further explained that if a client presents with high levels of stress, there is the opportunity for them to process this if they want to, within professional boundaries set. This ensures that people are in the right frame of mind to be able to focus effectively on seeking employment, optimising resources and increasing the chances of success.
The upstairs of the library is becoming a centre for employment support in the city, housing the Young Adults Employment Hub, the Business and Intellectual Property Centre as well as the Adults Employment Hub. Computers are available for public use, with support given by Digital Champions – volunteers who offer 1-2-1 support on basic technology and digital access. The Adults Employment Hub has a dedicated room; it’s a welcoming environment for people to meet with their Employment Officer, or focus on independent job search. A number of smaller rooms are also available if needed for a greater degree of privacy. The team recognises the importance of having dedicated spaces for their service, and Dan spoke of feedback from clients who appreciate the sense of value indicated by them having their own space, as ”it instils self-esteem, and they know that it is a safe space solely for their use.”
Flexibility
Flexibility is a theme that was spoken about in relation to several aspects of the service. Dan noted: “We’re dealing with adults with life experience; they’re going to be open and honest with us.” For Employment Officer Natasha (Tash), a really important part of the support lies in the softer outcomes. She said:
Obviously we need to know the outcomes, we need to be looking at employment and training. But actually, if that person’s in a better place by the time they finish with us, then that’s a job well done. So, if their housing situation is calmer, if their health is better, all those little things to put them in a better place.
Although not measured formally, it is clear to the team, that supporting people with the pressing issues they are facing, that are barriers to them progressing towards employment, is a crucial part of the programme. The service actively signposts people for support with physical health, mental health, housing, debt management, and other areas where they are not personally qualified to advise; and clients are supported to pick up the phone if necessary and take that first step, rather than being sent away with information to refer themselves. The Adults Hub is also able to host drop-in sessions, where a specialist adviser will be on hand to answer questions on a variety of topics. These are arranged as need arises, and in relation to the case load at any one time. This level of flexibility, knowing that they have the relationship with other organisations to make referrals or arrange sessions at short notice, works well for the team and the clients, optimising resources and responding to need.
Appointments are scheduled according to need, and typically last up to an hour. Clients have autonomy in booking appointments, at gaps which seem most appropriate for them. Dan mentioned that some clients do feel they like to attend more than once per week. For example, if they are invited to interview, they may need to get interview clothes sorted out, or arrange for Access to Work, so things can ramp up and then scale back down again, if that’s what’s needed. Similarly, if it is appropriate, clients can take a short break from support if there are other life circumstances that need to be prioritised. The team will put them on hold, and they can return when they are ready; the support is still there. Dan recognises too, that occasionally clients may need to rearrange appointments at short notice. But he says “it’s not a flexibility that is there to be taken advantage of, it’s just a natural trusting relationship”.
Dan spoke positively about the strong relationship they have with the city’s Jobcentre Plus (JCP). People are referred via the JCP. When asked about capacity or maximum caseloads, Dan highlighted the need for flexibility, with the service currently having a target of supporting 250 individuals over a 12-month period. Dan described management of caseloads as like walking a tightrope.
There might be one month where Tash has got 20 people on her case load, but they are all really intensive, needing to come in several times a week; there might be another month where Andrew’s got 45 people on his case load, but they’re all light-touch.
So, the team talks quite openly and regularly with the Jobcentre Plus about capacity, to ensure that they can maintain in-depth support that is meaningful and has appeal.
Tailoring
Tash emphasised the importance to their clients, of having something specifically for them, and someone who understands.
They don’t fit into the young person category; they don’t have a particular disability; they don’t usually fit into another box, but they are mature adults, they are supposed to know what they’re doing, where their life’s going, all the stereotypical things.
She recognises the relief that some clients feel when they realise that they don’t have to struggle on their own. Tash made the point that a client at 50 may have another 15-20 years of employment ahead and stressed the importance of helping them to find their confidence, regardless of whatever else is happening, to know that they have worth and that opportunities do exist.
The voluntary nature of the programme is something Andrew feels promotes engagement and empowers people to take control of their own progress; they have the choice to stay or to leave without fear of judgment or sanctions. From the initial meeting with clients, Dan emphasises that they are ‘the boss’. Although the team will give advice, and challenge when needed, ultimately appointments will focus on the ideas and interests of the client, “and that empowerment, ‘I’m in charge of this, this is my journey’ – it really resonates with people.”
Employment opportunities
The Adults Hub does not have designated employer engagement workers, so Andrew and Tash are responsible for employer engagement. Dan feels it works well in some respects, as the Employment Officers know their clients well, and are best placed to introduce them to an employer. There is also the option to reach out to the wider Employment Support Team if they have an employer with a vacancy that can’t be filled from their own case load. They have built positive relationships with many local employers, working closely to achieve shared benefits.
The Adults Hub can offer some support to clients once they have secured employment. Tash explained that it is sometimes a matter of supporting people to liaise effectively with their new employer, “helping them to understand how to use particular systems, and helping them to feel confident sending emails - who they need to speak to. So not necessarily going in with them, but helping them to manage, and to learn how to manage for themselves.” Both Tash and Andrew were clear; once the designated six-month period comes to an end, support doesn’t just stop. They are open to former clients making contact if needed. And for those who might not yet have secured employment, there are other programmes they can access – albeit not specifically focused on older workers but enabling them to keep within the framework of support.
Learning
Dan, Tash and Andrew are all committed to the continuation of the Adults Employment Hub beyond the first year of the pilot. They see the value of the dedicated service for people in their 50s, 60s and beyond, which treats each person as an individual, builds confidence and self-esteem, enabling them to take ownership of their personal progress.
Key elements which emerged from the conversation, were:
- the importance of building relationships with individuals - clients, colleagues, and professionals working in other support organisations
- the correlation between self-esteem and personal progress
- the effectiveness of accessing and utilising local resources
Further information about the Adults Employment Hub can be found here.
