Blended Employability Service

The Blended Employability Service is City of Edinburgh Council’s main employability provision in Edinburgh for citizens. It consists of four contracts, each with a remit to support client groups with various barriers to employment. While the contracts operate independently and are delivered by different Third Sector partners, a no-wrong door approach is in operation and contracted providers work together to ensure citizens are accessing the most appropriate support.

Next Step

Next Step Edinburgh aims to provide a holistic support service to people who are presently unemployed and actively looking to get back into employment across Edinburgh. It is delivered by a consortium led by Community Renewal, along with the Wheatley Foundation and Citizen’s Advice Edinburgh. The service provides clients with:

• Help with writing CVs, application forms or interview preparation
• Coaching for those who feel they don’t even know where to start
• Help with accessing courses or volunteering opportunities
• Support to apply for funding for training, including CSCS
• Direct links to employers who are recruiting right now
• Support with search for job vacancies

All in Edinburgh

All in Edinburgh provides supported employment for people who have a disability or long-term health condition (including mental health) in Edinburgh. This support aims to help people with a disability or long-term health condition find a job and keep it.

All in Edinburgh also work with organisations that are looking to recruit people they may not have considered before. They match people with the organisation – and the job – that is right for them, while supporting employers to ensure they support clients to sustain their roles.

All in Edinburgh is run by four organisations working together: ENABLE Scotland; Forth Sector; Into Work and The Action Group.

EnCompass

Encompass is an education, training and employability service delivered by Access to Industry for people in Edinburgh living with complex needs (history of drug/alcohol abuse, criminal justice, homelessness). It helps people furthest removed from the labour market to build their skills, gain access to opportunities and, where appropriate, move into employment.

The programme offers one-to-one casework support so that participants can establish a positive, consistent relationship with one worker. All support and training is delivered in a safe and supportive environment. Encompass offers bespoke, skill-based training delivered in outreach locations and via AI’s in-house community college. It also offers a wide range of employability opportunities, including supportive work placements and volunteering. Participants gain qualifications in core communication and employability skills.

Advance

Advance is an in-work employment support service delivered by a consortium of Enable Scotland, Forth Sector and The Action Group. The service supports clients:

• Experiencing in-work poverty, by supporting progression and upskilling to progress within their roles and in line with career aspirations.
• At risk of losing their job, by offering advice and support to both the client and the employer to retain employment.
• With career change for clients who want new jobs and support them to gain a new position and provide appropriate support in the new job.
• With crisis management – where an employer or client is experiencing difficulties in relation to performance, attendance or disciplinary. We act as a support and intermediary to resolve the situation quickly.

As well as the in-work support element of the service, there is also an income maximisation service which supports clients to ensure they are accessing all benefits they are entitled to while in-work.