A SCHEME to help and support Taunton Deane Borough Council housing tenants find long-term employment is being extended.

The council has committed £140,000 to the scheme aimed at helping its tenants move off work-related benefits by finding jobs – and so improve their self-confidence, self-esteem and skills.

It was launched early last year and, following a successful 12 months, is to be extended until January 2019, using funding already committed to the project.

The funding is coming from the authority’s housing revenue account that is separate from the council’s day to day funding pot.

The contract for the scheme was awarded to affordable housing provider Yarlington Housing Group and is fulfilled by their subsidiary company Inspired to Achieve (i2a), a social enterprise that has had success with similar employment projects elsewhere in Somerset.

The work is concentrated in the Taunton Deane “One Team” areas in East and North Taunton and in Wellington and a review of work carried out so far shows the team is achieving its aim of helping people into work, training and/or volunteering.

Of the 65 residents involved in i2a, almost a quarter (23 per cent) have found jobs with nine per cent in training and three people involved in volunteering.

Early feedback from those taking part in the project is positive with almost two-thirds saying they are satisfied with the support and advice they receive.

Looking ahead, the project team plans to include rural areas in the project, to continue to develop strong relationships with local employers and to attend more community events.

The i2a team works closely with the One Teams in Taunton and Wellington and multi-agency groups including staff from Taunton Deane Borough Council, Getset Services, Avon and Somerset Police, Fire and Rescue Service, Mind, and many others.

Cllr Terry Beale, executive councillor for Housing Services, said: “The One Team approach is proving really successful in Taunton Deane where we have seen crime levels fall and people’s pride in their communities grow day by day.

“Inspired to Achieve is adding to that excellent work by working closely with our tenants helping them find work and therefore escape the cycle of being dependent on work-related benefits.

“Importantly, this support continues once someone finds a job as it is often those first few weeks in a new job that are reported as the most difficult.

"The help provided by i2a’s employment co-ordinators includes improving literacy skills, finding appropriate work experience and encouraging them every step of the way by offering tailored 1-2-1 support.

“The recognition earned, from the employer, community, friends and family of being in work can really improve an individual’s wellbeing.”