Contents

  1. Assessment information and methodology
  2. About the organisation
  3. The Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG)
  4. The difference the IAG makes to recipients and the overall impact
  5. What is working particularly well
  6. Development suggestions
  7. Conditions of Accreditation

2. About the organisation

Bexley Business and Employment (BBE or ‘the organisation’) is the London borough of Bexley’s employability and business support service. With a mission of ‘Supporting economic growth and skills in Bexley’, BBE is based in Erith, in the more deprived north of the borough. Since the last matrix assessment in 2020, a restructuring has seen BBE separate from the council’s adult education college and the organisation is now part of the Economic Development and Skills directorate. This restructuring aims to better reflect the organisation’s role in achieving the council’s priorities in the Bexley Plan 2022 – 2026, especially its priority theme of aspiration for local residents ‘…to live the best lives possible and to reach their potential….and access good jobs’.

With nearly 50 staff, including client advisors who are IAG qualified and health professionals in key worker roles, BBE offers a range of programmes with a focus on local unemployed and economically inactive residents.

The main provision is currently:

Work & Health

For this 15 month programme delivered under a subcontract, clients with a range of mental or physical health conditions are referred by Jobcentre Plus offices. The programme provides support for clients to identify employment needs, have contact with employers, obtain appropriate

Restart

Currently the largest programme, also delivered under a subcontract. Here, clients who are long term unemployed are referred by Jobcentre Plus, with many mandated, and are allocated to an adviser who provides tailored support over 12 months with the aim of a sustained job outcome. As with Work and Health, there are opportunities to be referred for training and have contact with employers, as well as applying for vacancies. In work support continues when needed.

London Works

This is also an employability programme, though here the service recruits its own clients through community outreach work. A major focus is the economically active, who can be hard to reach as they are not claiming benefits. As with the other programmes, the ultimate goal is sustained employment.

Bexley Twofold

A supported employment service for residents who are over 18 with a learning disability. Over 60 clients currently receive individualised employability and in work support. As with other programmes the aim is sustained paid employment, with ongoing in work support as needed.

In addition, a Business Team manages relationships with local employers, providing a range of business support. The team also sources job vacancies from these employers for the clients of the employability programmes.

Standard Report V5

Version Dated: 31 May 2023

The Growth Company Limited 2023

The matrix Standard is delivered by The Growth Company on behalf of the Department for Education.

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