FEA – the model
The FEA initiative is a unique and innovative model of client engagement, working within local communities to support those most in need. The model does not duplicate existing services and acts as a bridge between socially isolated and disengaged people and the services designed to help them. The FEAi approach has been developed over a number of years and is applicable across a range of target groups and environments. In addition to the mainstream programme, specialist pilots have been delivered focusing services on people from BME communities, blind and partially sighted people, residents of specific housing estates and local health service recipients.
Community Animators, many of whom have experienced unemployment and related issues themselves, engage with people through door knocking and street work, using a community survey as an initial engagement tool. The Community Animators will visit clients in their own homes and will provide information on areas of interest and make referrals to appropriate agencies and organisations to address identified barriers. Only when the client is ready will they be formally registered.
FEA teams work in a defined area, building links to community based organisations, local service providers and housing associations. The Community Animators work closely with other agencies, building referrals links, and sharing information to ensure services are as ‘joined up’ as possible. This is designed to make the client experience easier.
As clients begin to engage with employability services the Community Animator will liaise with the relevant agency and will re-engage clients who drop out of the process. The Community Animator will also continue to provide support to assist clients who have moved into training or employment to sustain outcomes.
FEA – summary of activity
· We engage those furthest away from the labour market through door-knocking in local communities
· We listen and work at the pace of each individual and build up trust
· We provide people with information and enable them to make choices
· We help people to link effectively to existing services
· We work with partners to support people through their journey back to sustainable employment
FEA – the role of the Animator
The FEAi Community Animators work to link their clients to the services they need and will address any issue which arises to help a client progress in their lives. Many clients present with multiple issues including social problems such as addictions and debt. The Community Animator will refer clients to specialist services that can help them, accompanying them to appointments if required. The Animators:
· Befriend, mentor, advocate, encourage and challenge their clients
· Build links and relationships with, and between, clients and agencies
· Believe in the ethos of the initiative and deliver it at community level
The Animators try to support clients discuss their aspirations and to set goals. The time committed by the Animators to listening to their clients' concerns and empowering them to make their own decisions is appreciated by clients, with over 75% saying they could not have received the same service from another agency (Mid-term Review, Cambridge Policy Consultants).
Despite this commonly held view, the average FEA ‘contact’ lasts around 30 minutes, considerably less than the usual one hour appointment system used within employability organisations. The FEA goes to the client, although visits to the community based office are encouraged at an early stage to introduce structure to the activity.
FEAi - the results
The FEAi approach has produced significant results within communities experiencing multiple deprivation. The key statistics are as follows:
· For every 12 doors the Animators knock on someone goes into work
· 22% of all registered clients move into employment
· 12% move into further education or training
· 90% sustain outcomes at 13 weeks
· 75% sustain outcomes at 6 months
In addition to the hard outcomes achieved by the programme, a significant number of soft outcomes are generated. These include supporting people to address addictions issues, problems with debt, caring concerns, numeracy & literacy and childcare. Although many of the FEA clients were years from being employment ready, encouraging positive activity and volunteering produced some very good results in terms of reported improved quality of life and higher levels of involvement in the local community.
For further information on the FEA model and CEiS employability services please contact:
Susan Boath
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