Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care

Forward Plan Ref: 2025/090

Contact: Will Gardner, Employment Print Finishers Team Leader

Will.gardner@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Director of Adult Social Services (CA9)

Connect to Work (CtW) is a nationally prescribed and locally commissioned supported employment programme, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) through grant funding. It is delivered by the Accountable Bodies that will determine how the support is delivered locally, in line with local priorities.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

a)    Authorise the Council to enter into grant funding agreement/s with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to develop and deliver the Connect to Work Programme for such period as the programme continues to be funded by DWP

b)    Authorise the Council to take receipt of grant funding in its role as Accountable Body (and as determined by an approved DWP grant cost register and delivery plan).

Recommendations approved.

Cabinet had before it a report on Connect to Work (CtW),  a nationally prescribed and locally commissioned supported employment programme, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) through grant funding.

The CtW programme aimed to support individuals outside the workforce and facing disadvantages to get into and to stay in work. Eligible target groups include disabled people, offender/ex-offenders, carers/ex-carers, homeless people, former members of HM Armed Forces or a partner of current or former Armed Forces personnel, people with an alcohol or drug dependency, care experienced young people/care.

The Council had been designated as one of the 43 Accountable Bodies across England which would be responsible for designing the local offer to support people to find and fulfil their potential to work in line with local services and priorities.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Cabinet Member for Adults, presented the report.

During discussion, members referred to the importance of the work outlined in the CtW programme and the collaboration with Enterprise Oxfordshire which would assist in providing access to employment opportunities in the County.

Councillor Bearder moved, and Councillor Higgins seconded the recommendations and they were approved.

RESOLVED to :-

a)    authorise the Council to enter into grant funding agreement/s with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to develop and deliver the Connect to Work Programme for such period as the programme continues to be funded[AB1]  by DWP.

b)    authorise the Council to take receipt of grant funding in its role as Accountable Body (and as determined by an approved DWP grant cost register and delivery plan).