Decision

To accept £95,755.83 grant funding offered by the DWP Flexible Support Fund Partnership, to fund and recruit two community support employment officers for a period of 12 months and to sign the agreement for the funding

Reasons for the decision

In 2023 Tendring District Council (TDC) obtained funding to deliver a 12-month Flexible Support Funded Community Budget in Tendring which aimed to provide bespoke support to those claimants furthest away from the labour market and in most need of help in removing barriers to employment using a collaborative and multi-disciplinary approach. Delivered during 2024/2025, this initiative proved successful and TDC was invited again to apply for further funding to deliver the project during 2025/2026, for a further 12-month period. This funding has been approved in principle and to accept the funding the agreement needs to be signed.

Alternative options considered

The Council could choose not to accept the grant funding which would then greatly reduce the provision previously given to the highlighted cohort of people who have a greater need for support into employment. Previous indicators show a strong requirement for such a service and this would not then be available for this specific customer base.