A helping hand?

Addressing long-term unemployment and high unemployment levels among certain groups in London continues to challenge policy-makers.

The London Assembly Economy Committee investigated the role of Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations in employment and skills programmes in the capital.

We wanted to know:

• What are the specific initiatives, or barriers, which help or hinder VCSE involvement in employment and skills programmes?
• How could future developments, including possible further devolution, be exploited to develop a more diverse supply chain in employment and skills programmes in London?
• How can the Mayor, central and local government ensure VCSE organisations have a role in delivering employment and support programmes in the capital?

VCSE organisations play an important role in supporting those who find it the most difficult to get a job. However a number of barriers affect VCSE involvement in employment programmes, including:

• Financial pressures
• Contracting arrangements
• Concerns about the effectiveness of mandatory work placements
• Gaps in sharing good practice

The report 'A helping hand' made a number of recommendations, including:

• The Department for Work and Pensions should reform the payment-by-results model.
• The Mayor and the London Enterprise Panel (LEP) should champion choice-based and voluntary approaches and call for an end to mandatory work placements.
• The Mayor and the London Enterprise Panel should develop a shared good practice resource.