Contents

  1. Assessment information and methodology
  2. About the organisation
  3. The Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG)
  4. The difference the IAG makes to recipients and the overall impact
  5. What is working particularly well
  6. Development suggestions
  7. Conditions of Accreditation

4. The difference the IAG makes to recipients and the overall impact

BBE has a range of measures to record the impact of the IAG on the different client groups, with an emphasis on both personal development and job outcomes. While many clients may not achieve a job outcome during their time on the programme, there is nonetheless a good deal of evidence of the positive impact of IAG for them. The Work Star model effectively manages progress against outcomes such as: health and wellbeing; stability; aspiration and motivation; and social skills. Importantly, clients from across programmes described how they would use the outcomes developed on their programme in the world of work. Clients from the different programmes, but especially those from Work and Health, also described in detail how working with their advisers had led to improved mental and physical health outcomes, enabling them to start an employability journey, in some cases after many years of unemployment or economic inactivity.

As well as the Work Star, client outcomes are recorded in Action Plans, and a distance travelled tool is used across programmes. At an individual level, clients were all keen to highlight their positive experience of BBE.

All described feeling safe, happy and supported, with feedback that included:

They’re always checking in on me and asking how I am. I’m just completing a qualification they recommended before starting my new job in September”;

They don’t judge you and find a way around everything. They’re very understanding and have helped with carer’s and attendance allowances, which gives me the space to think about my future. I now have the confidence to do some courses, which I hope will lead to work”;

I have so much respect for them, including the receptionists. It’s so welcoming. They helped me sort out my medication and then I took the wellbeing course. I feel so much better and ready to face things”;

All the staff are so polite and helpful. They’ve arranged courses for me so that I can get my CSCS card, and it’s all been timed for me to start work when my child goes to nursery in September”;

The adviser made me laugh when there were bad things in my life. That was so important”.

A suite of performance measures are constantly updated, and analysed by senior management and funders. Management and staff described how their IAG delivery makes a positive contribution to these indicators, known across most projects as Customer Service Standards (CSS). While some CSS relate to non-employment outcomes, including health and wellbeing, the majority focus on the journey to employment, with the principal measure being sustained job outcomes. Sustainment is achieved through either 26 weeks in work or by surpassing the income threshold (linked to multiples of the National Living Wage). The latest data shows expected sustained job outcomes for 2022/23 at 462, 65.53% of the 705 target. BBE continues to work with funders and clients to drive up this figure, and achieve the aspirational target of 40% of all participants achieving sustained employment.

Standard Report V5

Version Dated: 31 May 2023

The Growth Company Limited 2023

The matrix Standard is delivered by The Growth Company on behalf of the Department for Education.

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