Welfare Reform Conference

Oxfam Cymru

Antonina MendolaHayley Richards 14 June 2013

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OXFAM CYMRU

• Building Livelihoods & Strengthening Communities in Wales

• Sanctuary in Wales

• BME Lone Parent Access to Work

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WELFARE REFORM & LONE PARENTS

• May 2012 - Lone parents moved from Income Support to Job Seekers Allowance when youngest child is 5 years old

• Number of female lone parents in receipt JSA has increased by 750% since 2009

• Lone parents on JSA must actively look for work & are subject to conditionality

• Various rights & flexibilities for lone parents to take into account childcare responsibilities

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UNIVERSAL CREDIT

• Significant changes to lone parent flexibilities under Universal Credit

• Only 1 out of 12 flexibilities transferred in entirety to UC regulations – government will provide ‘guidance’ on flexibility but this will be at advisor discretion – no longer any specialist lone parent advisors

• 11 not accounted for at all or qualified to narrow their application e.g. can still restrict hours of work but only if can show jobs available offering those hours

• Can no longer refuse to take or leave a job because of lack of available/ affordable childcare

• No longer have 1 week notice to attend interview• Lone parents may be sanctioned due to circumstances beyond

their control

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ACCESS TO WORK

• A JCP special project delivered by Oxfam Cymru

• Intensive 1:1 mentoring/ coaching support• Sustainable Livelihoods Approach• Neuro Linguistic Programming

Techniques• Support tailored to needs e.g. at home/

around school hours• Confidence building• Group sessions• Voluntary work placements• Skills development & training• Information on benefits system• CV development

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BME LONE PARENTS

• Lack of understanding of benefit system or rights & responsibilities within it

• Lack of training, skills, UK based work experience

• Cultural / religious issues• ESOL• Digital inclusion• Lack of suitable p/t and flexible jobs• Previous experience of abuse/

trauma• Confidence & assertiveness

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S – a 36 year old single mother from Pakistan with 2 children aged 4 & 15

• S has spent the last 15 years raising her children and has no UK based work experience. Before coming to the UK she was a primary school teacher in Pakistan. She lacked confidence. Through the Access to Work Project S did a voluntary work placement in an Oxfam shop for 4 days a week around her childcare responsibilities. She gained confidence and has now passed Retail Skills Level 2. She would like to set up her own business. She says she feels as if she is dreaming as she is so happy!

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N – a refugee from Gambia & a single mother with a 7 year old son

• N came to the UK in 2006. She is isolated and guarded due to past experiences. She is wary of leaving her child with anyone due to a lack of trust. She has self belief issues and thinks she can only get a low level job despite being well educated and having worked at a high level in Gambia. Through the Access to Work Project N secured a 2 month placement at a local solicitors firm. This helped her gain confidence.

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J – a 30 year old refugee & single mother with 2 children aged 8 & 5

• J fled her country of origin when threatened with female circumcision during pregnancy. She met the father of her second child in the UK who subjected her to domestic violence. As a result J and her children have spent a year in a refuge for their safety. Through the Access to Work Project J has registered for an ESOL course and taken up a work placement for 3 days a week at an Oxfam shop.

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Achievements

• 24 participants • 7 took up ESOL classes/ 1

Essential Skills • 13 participated in work

placements: 11 Oxfam shops, 1 large solicitors firm, 1 in a community organisation

• 2 into paid work • Retail skills Level 2 pilot in

Wales (3 credits) - 7 participants

• 1 internship as Project Administrator – currently co-ordinating evidence gathering for learners

• Good relationships with District Office, Partnership Managers and Jobcentre Plus staff

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What the women said

• “I am taking responsibility for men’s duties”.

• “Now want to learn to drive”.

• “I am more punctual”.

• “Realising the place you had the weakness”.

• “1 month ago I used to think I can’t go out I can’t do this. Now I think different”.

• “Before I came on the project I didn’t know what I wanted to do; now I am clear”.

• “I’ve lived in Grangetown 12 years & never been to Cardiff Bay”.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

• Initial JCP customer assessment & assumed understanding

• Allocation of personal advisor

• Payment of out of pocket expenses

• Childcare

• ESOL

• Digital inclusion