Need a clear post 16 local offer. Kickstart is one of several initiatives (youth offer, sector-based work academies, apprenticeships, T levels, traineeships). To mitigate risks of falling through gaps and / or duplicated offers, young people need access to a coordinated picture of what is available locally – what each initiative is, what it leads to, how it aligns with other activity (existing/new, national/local) building on councils’ statutory duties and impartial, local careers advice and guidance. The Youth Hubs are a step towards achieving this. Where they are not established, JCP should co-commission its flexible support funds to replicate the intentions of the Youth Hubs.
Need choice in the Kickstart job. Ideally, they should be able to apply for the opportunity that is right for them e.g. via job matching by local intermediaries / brokerage, local jobs fairs, with careers advice to support them though their decision. If relevant jobs are not viable / available, effective local careers support is needed to help find an alternative. If DWP decides young people will be placed into jobs, a clear process is needed to make it feel like a job rather than a short-term scheme.
Outreach and engagement activities. We need to engage young people who can progress onto the programme to ensure they are aware of Kickstart and how to access it. This is important if access is via JCP and participants need to be on UC as many do not claim benefits. More flexibility on eligibility is required, including to reach ‘inactive’ young people and ensure 16-17 year old NEETS have an effective route in.
A quality customer journey. It should have built into it a clear route into sustainable work and training opportunities to support next steps for those on the scheme.
Wraparound support is essential. Every young person has unique circumstances so their needs will vary, but all of them need to be in a good place to give Kickstart their best shot including those most in need / furthest from the labour market. Some may have personal or financial challenges – physical or mental health issues, care leavers, caring responsibilities, low skills, loss of confidence, debt, housing unhealthy lifestyles problems etc. Wraparound support must be built into the Kickstart funding to give the best chance of sustained success. It should not be the young person’s responsibility to join up the dots for support.
Understanding support needs early on. An initial assessment is needed (including to identify wider needs) for instance skills and training, pre-employment support, wraparound. From there an action plan can be developed. Local and combined authorities and their local partners know which services and support should be delivered alongside the placement.
Support before, during and after the placement. A case worker is essential to help young people stay in work by helping them make changes from benefits to wages, deal with issues at work, make changes at home so they turn up on time, help them find work once Kickstart has finished. Ongoing support which is intensified at month four (CV update sessions, interview practice and job search) is vital where the job isn’t being made permanent. This role should not be underestimated if young people are to transition into more permanent jobs. This needs to be funded. In previous programmes, these functions were fulfilled by councils, that were funded to do this role.
A record of achievement and a bankable transferable skill. Every Kickstart participant should receive a standardised recognisable record of achievement, and in line with best practice from local intermediate labour market programmes, employers should ensure they come away with a bankable transferable skill (e.g. health and safety qualifications, industry safety cards IT, driving).