South Lanarkshire councillors have praised work done to improve employment skills for vulnerable parents.
At the equal opportunities forum earlier this week, elected members welcomed the report that outlined the achievements made to support parents with health conditions or disabilities in gaining employment.
Councillor Mary Donnelly (Hamilton West and Earnock) 'totally welcomed' the report, saying a "great programme" had been shown to members.
She added: "I have had experience with working with disabled organisations working with employability and you’ve been going along the same guidelines as they did to try and get people into working arrangements and helping them upon that road, so it’s a great programme you’ve shown us.”
The “Making it Work” project provides employability support which also contributes to child poverty targets and increases access to fair work opportunities for vulnerable parents.
The programme supports 60 parents in the move into good quality employment opportunities as well as providing specific, tailored employability support along with health, wellbeing, financial and childcare support.
Referrals for the project are made from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Disability Employment Advisors (DEA) who identify parents who are eligible for support.
Each parent is assigned a key worker to support them on their employment journey, each person is required to undertake an initial assessment of needs required for the required employability support.
Parents participate in a six-week programme which is designed to motivate and empower people to take up fair work opportunities as well as developing social skills.
Participants are given interview skills to boost self-esteem and confidence, and there is also a ‘Dressing Room’ initiative which is delivered by Routes to Work South to supply males and females facing financial hardship with appropriate interview clothing and hygiene packs.
Bothwell and Uddingston councillor Maureen Devlin, said: “That’s a great report, very interesting, I think it’s very good the fact that we’re building confidence because that’s what’s needed – the thought of going for an interview at the best of times is horrendous so this is really really good.”
Councillor Bert Thomson (Blantyre) said: “I sincerely hope there is funding.
"It’s something very current and worthwhile pursuing. I was interested when you said about mental health, because of course mental health doesn’t just affect individuals, it affects the family and friends as well.
"That’s very interesting, it is all about including. I do think there has been progress, but I think there’s a lot more to do but I’m sure with commitment and further funding more will be achieved.”
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