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Parental Employability Support Fund (PESF)

PESF is a support �鶹���� offered by �鶹���� and Bute Council which is funded by the Scottish Government.

It provides a more flexible and user-based model of delivery that supports parents into work as well as helping those already in work to increase their household income. It is led by the individual’s needs and delivery is worked round what is required to progress into or towards employment.

The �鶹���� provides:

• Person-centred help for parents to address their barriers to work, which might include a lack of skills or work experience, health support, money advice, confidence building or motivational support.  This can include where appropriate signposting to relevant services/organisations i.e. Housing, Health Visitors, Social Work. Regular contact will be maintained either face-to-face as necessary and video or audio calls dependant on the individual’s needs.

• Support and guidance to carry out training to enhance skills or encourage new opportunities to move into employment, paid for by PESF.

• Potential opportunities to undertake paid work placements up to 30 hours per week with employers.

• Targeted support to help parents already in work through the provision of training and employability support to remain active in the workplace and gain progression through a rewarding career.

• Confidential income and money advice which includes:

  • Benefit advice, guidance, support with claim processes and appropriate signposting to DWP when necessary.

  • Better off Calculations can be supported to complete online

  • Support any debt issues and if appropriate refer to Welfare Rights for any additional support.

  • Advice and guidance on budget issues i.e. discuss and create household budget plan, contacting services where there is debt and refer to Citizens Advice if relevant.

• Access to the Parental Welfare Fund to help with the transition to work and alleviate any worries.

• In work support for up to 52 weeks, frequency agreed at outset of employment.

PESF aims to support parents to access or progress in work. It will provide appropriate and timely support to parents who are within the targeted family groupings and:

• Have the right to live and work in the UK

• Require support to access employment

• Require support to progress in work

Our Engagement Workers are keen to support parents that meet the following criteria:

• Lone Parents

• Parents with disabilities or a disabled child

• 3 or more children

• Minority Ethnic Families

• Youngest child under 1 year

• Parents aged 25 years and less

• Other low-income families, including kinship carers

They can support parents gain new skills, qualifications and assist with job applications, interview techniques and compiling a CV.

If you would like to find out how the Parental Employability Support Fund can help you, please contact:

Tel: 01586 555990
E: employability@argyll-bute.gov.uk

Feedback on the PESF

“I just wanted to send a wee quick message to you to thank you for helping me. I cried when I came off the phone to you. I've been trying so long for this and was desperate to get a break and I'm actually now feeling so positive about the future”.

“Just to let you know I passed my HGV driving test this afternoon!! It still feels like a dream. I'm still in shock. Just wanted to say thanks so much for what you did. I couldn't have done this without you. I've finished reading the book you recommended so it's onwards and upwards for me now!”

“Thank you so much for the support I have received to date.  There is no way I would have been able to afford to pay to put myself through this course, and the fact that you paid for all the resources I needed to help me through my course was amazing.  It was also great to know my PESF support Worker was only a call away if I had any queries or needed help with anything.  Thank you!”