Working for the Job Centre?

Recently found myself in the job centre.....boo....it wasn't to find a job...yay! It was to work in partnership with the DWP in Suffolk on the governments troubled families initiative. Here's a brief overview of how it panned out.

It's all about the evidence .....

DWP Family Focus Pilot 2014

I did feel initially, as they explained to me how they wanted me to work holistically on their clients confidence, that I might be in the wrong office or that I was being filmed for you've been framed - but no. We were given free reign to work with the client group as we saw fit.

Here's what we achieved and if you are interested there is a little more detail below. As with any of our projects the work is only half the battle. Collating the data so that you can prove what you say you can do for clients is the other half. Crucially it's the half that enables you to go back and say please sir can I have some more..

Headline impacts working with 10 people - This is the short hand version of what we achieved

• 9 out of 10 achieved or are fully on course to achieve a nationally recognised qualification.
• 86% attendance – so far (three sets of sessions yet to finish, expecting it to be higher still)
• Referring DWP staff from Ipswich universally extremely happy and satisfied with the progression of their clients (see quotes later in report)
• 6 motivated into and have applied for  further training and education – 3 yet to complete - but progression routes identified. Suffolk Council estimate the additional cost of those who remain NEET to be £56,000 per person, so a possible huge saving there as these are the very hardest to reach that they are targeting.
• Across the cohort we doubled their confidence levels, They rated themselves twice as confident
• Increased their self determination (the idea that their decisions make a difference) by 57%
• Increased their perception of being integrated within their community by 42%
• Havebury housing (a local housing association) are now looking to work closer in partnership with us having recognised the impact we had with their clients.

1 learner failed to complete as parental influence was making it too difficult – we flagged non attendance very early and concluded it wasn’t right at this time. The flexible nature of the blogging evidence capture means should it be decided to reengage with this client we have the evidence to pick from where we left off.

What we do

Noise Solution works across the Eastern region, working wherever appropriate, often in the home with clients. We use our experience to make people successful quickly at creating the music that’s important to them. We capture and share that success with the people important in their lives using social media (Blogging). Our experience and our evidence shows us that through that process of ‘success shared well’ we increase confidence, aspirations, and facilitate positive progressions into voluntary placements and education, community integration and wellbeing.

Over a number of months in 2014 Noise Solution worked with 10 clients referred under the ‘Family Focus’ umbrella by the DWP. It was in a pilot project to test the appropriateness and effectiveness of Noise Solution’s methodology for this client group.

Noise Solution is an outcomes driven organisation providing bespoke 1 to 1 support through music and technology and aims to:

• increase the learner’s confidence
• foster a greater feeling of self determination
• provide a successful educational experience with qualification where appropriate
• increase musical skills
• facilitate a positive progression to education/volunteering etc

Delivery

Each client had up to ten one on one sessions with a specialist Noise Solution tutor. For the most part the first five of the sessions were held in the client’s home, using a laptop, portable keyboards and other available resources, and the second five were held in a professional recording studio.

Sessions included specific tuition around music technology to create the style of music learners found relevant to them.

The content of each session is led by the student’s interests and builds on the work of previous weeks. The music is a way of engaging quickly and non threateningly with clients who may view professionals suspiciously or are generally hard to engage. The aim is to build confidence and motivation that is recognised by the client and those around them and to facilitate positive progressions.

The musical output and qualitative evidence we captured through the sessions can be seen on the students’ blogs. The blogs are a core element of Noise Solution practice: the tutor will upload students’ comments, video and audio clips to a personal (and protected) blog. The blog can be shared with the people important to the learner including professionals, peers and families, and it is a way of sharing success. It is also importantly a way to feed back others recognition of their success through comments.

Impact

As a cohort the group judged themselves to be twice as confident when they finished from when they started. Attendance rates were excellent for the client group at 86%. At the beginning of the intervention a baseline questionnaire was completed with the client, gathering data related to the five intended outcomes.

Participants were asked to score these questions on a scale of 1 (low) to 5 (high). This questionnaire was repeated upon completion of the sessions. We want to measure how far the learner progresses between their initial score and the maximum possible score of 5. By comparing the two we are able to provide a percentage score for the progress made by each student, and also by the students collectively.

Success measures

• Attendance rates 86% 73 of 85 sessions
• Perception of their own confidence 50% increase
• Perception of their own interest in new things around them 50% increase
• Perception of how good they felt about themselves 46% increase
• Perception of their ability to make good decisions for themselves 40% increase
• Perception of their sense of self determination 57% increase
• Feeling of connection with community 42% increase
• Qualifications 6 Bronze level 1 Arts Awards (three to complete soon)

Positive progressions - progressing to what?

DL Successfully integrated on group course run by Fire Brigade application made and accepted to do Access to Education at West Suffolk College

KC into training with Princes Trust, We had set up interview with Suffolk FE College that she was motivated to attend but they turned her down due to their last experience, She has since completed a 12 week Princes Trust programme and been offered places at two other colleges

AL transitioned well into further Ed at Suffolk One, maintaining it. Is now looking to engage with Japanese lessons

KJ  started voluntary work at Charity shop has started with a view to making his application to Princes Trust look better. Interview for Princes trust is set up to happen when Noise Solution sessions end

AL Has applied to Suffolk New College. Significantly Alex attributed our work with him overcoming to some extent his fear of the internet as a tool – something that had prevented him from accessing some opportunities.

CB was motivated and ready to enter training but training course fell through, no fault of his – has now been helped to make application for Suffolk New College, Should be starting again in September, another case of the confidence benefits being maintained over a period of time.

Qualitative evidence of impact was also collected from the tutors and also importantly feedback from those referring or close to the learners i.e. family and/or professionals. This provides independent reflection on the impact of the sessions on the learners.

Comments from referring DWP staff

“On both occasions of using Noise Solution I have been more than happy with not only the outcome but the actual journey and experience my young people have had.  Both increased their confidence far more than was ever expected. The mentors at Noise solution kept me, and other interested parties, involved and updated throughout every single step, they were friendly and approachable towards my clients and really understood how to get them to open up and feel confident in expressing themselves

I would be more than happy to refer to this provision in the future, and once I have another eligible young person who I feel could benefit from Noise solution, I will have no hesitation in making a referral.”

DWP Referrer 1

“5 referrals to Noise Solution must be proof I strongly believe in their beliefs, theories and principles.

Not being very academic myself I love new and innovative ways of education – Noise Solution is just that.

When I first heard about Noise Solution I thought you had to be good at music to enrol but after having a presentation form Simon it all began to make sense.

Helping hard to reach people with progression to other opportunities, increasing their confidence and creating a positive learning experience is the way tutors support people re-engage. Using knowledgeable, determined and understanding tutors is a must and I hear  they all gain great satisfaction from moving people forward.

I feel privileged to work with local organisations such as Noise Solution and I feel proud to be part of the  great results. The young people I have referred are overcoming difficulties and increasing their belief that they are capable of achieving. With the young people taking on board this new exciting challenge if means I am then able to engaging with parents to help move them closer to employment and away from their chaotic lifestyles.

I feel the collaboration with DWP has been successful and  look forward to recommending the service to more claimants and other key partners within Suffolk Family Focus team. “

 DWP Referrer 2

Some lovely quotes from participants and those close to them

List of comments referring to clients or from clients themselves

I’ve seen Lots of improvement in her attitude - more fun to be around - less stressed. She is more confident. everything has worked for her - She's achieved! (mum)

I don't want it to finish – I think its really benefitting – She is now taking praise for being successful at her music - she's accepting that she is talented. She posted on Facebook her playing and singing, so much more confident – its’boosted her quite a bit (dad)

“I’ve reapplied for college, the guy in charge of the course said how talented I was” (K)

“Makes me feel good”” (K)

“ J, you should be so very proud of what you have achieved over the past few weeks. I could see how much your confidence has grown when I saw you on Wednesday. I think this way of learning has really suited you and I hope that you continue developing your skills within the CSV media team. The world is your oyster and you can do anything you put your mind to – I am here for you whatever path you choose to take. Good luck with applications for apprenticeships and looking for part time work, I have started sending you job alert emails. Stay positive and carry on achieving even more goals. Well done!”

Juliette - DWP

"My confidence has grown quite a lot - I feel like I can be happy enough to just play in front of other people

I had a great time meeting Ed and Ben who run IO Radio at CSV Media Clubhouse and look forward to doing more there in the future.

It was so good I even did their full training so can now use all of their state-of-the-art touch screen technology.

I hope to be supporting my friend with his show.

Happy day

“I’ve learnt to make music which is something I can now do. It’s given me confidence to interact with new things I’ve not done before - experience something some other people cant, It’s opened up pathways to what I maybe can do when I’m older, Might be successful if I take this pathway, Things look brighter than they did. College is the future”

“"I think its gone extremely well - so pleased he completed - something he wanted - like having the old D back. Excellent” Sara, D's Mum”

“feel like their should be more because it’s fun. I’ve achieved playing the piano, using reaper. I’m going to start college and see where that takes me. I’m pretty sure that college is achievable. It’s all a lot better, thought it would take me a long time to learn anything but it hasn’t, I feel more confident, I have an urge to keep going. I don’t want it to end”

“listening to the music i make makes me feel like im walking on clouds”

“I feel good about progressing with the Arts Award - Like I’m going to accomplish something”

“I feel more confident & in control of my life”

The timing was unfortunate in terms of exams and moving house but the outcome looks promising. (tutor)

She's more interested in Music and the piano and I've noticed changes in her. (mum)

“I feel absolutely proud of myself”

KL - Regarding how he feels after completing another part of his Arts Award

“(the track) sounds brilliant in my opinion, I can’t wait to put my headphones in and listen to it!

“Hi Simon, Thank you for all your help. A and I have completed the form for A to go to Suffolk new College. Thanks again. W x”

“When I get my certificate it’s going up on my wall”

“I’m now thinking through having used the blog that the internet could be useful and I could actually use it - Before I would never have used it

‘ Hi K- I have been following your blog and the work that you have been doing and you should be really proud of yourself. I know things have been difficult but you are doing what your mum wants for you and that’s to move forward and enjoy your life, that’s what she has always and ever wanted. You are a lovely young man and have a lot to give to this world and I am so pleased that others are seeing this and not just me!- and I am so pleased that YOU are finally seeing it to. Be proud of yourself K and your achievements and the other things will fall into place.

“This has really helped keep my motivation up - I feel like I’m not stalled anymore”

“I was at about a 5 before the session I’m definitely at an 8 now - stuff still on my mind but I’ll go home and do some more of this and I’ll be fine. I popped into crack on to do volunteer work and I start on Monday – that’s progress I’ve not worked since college and if I can get experience I increase my chance of getting a job, it feels awesome, like things are finally moving forward. This has definitely helped me along and given me a more positive attitude - 10 out of 10 today - uplifting, sorted me right out”

Spoke to Princes Trust - Asked me for an interview on the 29th of Jily at 2pm…Awesome - more progress - qualifications = more chance of getting employment”

“It’s the only decent education that I’ve been good at and enjoyed doing. It feels like something I’ve been waiting for…”

“He’s just taught me how to do something. Compared to a year ago working with him, it’s like he’s a completely different person…”

Matty from Anglia Care Trust talks about CB’s progress

“It definitely gives me more confidence to be able to join in and do more things at more places…” CB