Purpose

The Trailblazer is aligned to
Trafford approach to Living Well, and will integrate with and add
an employment dimension to the boroughs approach.

Decision

1)        
That the contents of
the report, be noted.

 
2)        
That the commissioning
of the Economic Inactivity Trailblazer (EIT) for Trafford be
approved, comprised of a combination of in-house delivery by
Trafford Council and commissioning of activities and services that
support the aims of the programme.
 
3)        
That this decision be classified 'urgent’ and
be exempted from the 'call-in' process for the following
reason:

 

The EIT has a one-year lifespan to demonstrate and
provide evidence of the efficacy of the approach staring from April
2025 to March 2026. Any further delay will impact on our ability to
mobilise the project, reach the number of target clients and our
ability to report to GMCA on the progress of the
project.

Reasons for the decision

The Department for Work and
Pensions (DWP) are funding Greater Manchester Combined Authority
(GMCA) to deliver the Economic Inactivity Trailblazer (EIT). GMCA
are funding GM Local Authorities to design and deliver the EIT
provision. DWP have stipulated delivery takes place between 1 April
2025 and 31 March 2026. All 10 GM boroughs
are participating.
 
The Economic Inactivity
Trailblazer is a place-based initiative designed to reduce economic
inactivity by addressing complex barriers to employment through
four interconnected project elements.
 
Aligned to the Live Well agenda
Trafford is expanding and investing in community-based job clubs
and employment support, aligning these with the borough’s
advice hub model. This approach is being integrated with social
prescribing and a strengthened Voluntary, Community, Faith and
Social Enterprise (VCFSE) offer, ensuring residents can access
holistic, community-led support that addresses both employment and
wider wellbeing needs.
 
In Trafford delivery will be
led by the Inclusive Economy and Communities Team comprised of a
mix of delivery by existing and newly recruited staff and
commissioned activities by the VCFSE sector.
 

Alternative options considered

This funding is specifically
targeted to supporting those who are economically inactive working
alongside partners and the VCFSE. It is a test and learn model that
supports the wider Live Well approach therefore there are no other
appropriate options to consider.