The Help Out service has been in operation for nine months, having initially been appointed through a direct award, and has successfully engaged with 245 individuals. The service has proven that in conjunction with the Worklessness Support Service, job outcomes and health and wellbeing outcomes for individuals are significantly improved.

Through engagement with the service the number of people moving into employment has increased by 10% with 50% of individuals sustaining employment at six months. Extended provision of the service for a further eleven months at a reduced financial envelope aligns contract end points and allows for options to be explored regarding the merging of the two contracts when the Wirral Worklessness contract expires on 31st March 2024.

This programme is designed to engage eligible workless young people and adults and support their progression into education, employment, and training via a suite of flexible, tailored employment support services.

Resolved – that the Director of Public Health has decided to make a direct award of a contract with an  11 month term to  Involve Northwest for the  increase of  employment support and improvement of  health outcomes through delivery of the Help Out service.

This report seeks approval for a direct award to Involve Northwest for the continuation of the Help Out service to support employment opportunities to improve health outcomes.  The Help Out service supports the Wirral Worklessness Support Service contract and the Council’s wider Wirral Ways to Work Programme managed by the Economic Growth Team. The programme is Wirral wide but has a specific focus within Wirral’s most deprived communities. It is designed to engage eligible workless young people and adults and support their progression into education, employment, and training via a suite of flexible, tailored employment support services.

The Help Out Contract will operate from 1st May 2023 to 31st March 2024, aligning with the Wirral worklessness contract and allows for options to be explored regarding the merging of the two contracts for the 2024/25 financial year onwards contingent on the service demonstrating the continued successful delivery of outcomes.

The activities outlined in this report support the vision of the Wirral Plan 2021-2026, the Wirral Economic Strategy 2021-26 and the Wirral Health and Wellbeing 2022-27 strategy to ‘create opportunities to get the best health outcomes from economy and regeneration programmes’ and will contribute directly or indirectly to delivering the following themes of the Wirral Plan:

•  Brighter Futures

•  Inclusive Economy 

•  Safe and Pleasant Communities

•  Active and Healthy Lives

This matter affects all wards within the Borough and is not a key decision

Consideration has been given to not continue the service given that one off grant funding is ending as well as several other funding options and models. Several different options for delivery  have been considered. Given the positive outcomes the service has demonstrated to date the  recommendation is to continue the service within a reduced financial envelope.