Category

• Promising Local Practice

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Poverty impact

• Mitigation
• Reduction

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Poverty driver

• Increase employment income

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Keywords

• Income Maximisation
• Employment
• Training
• Advice
• Families

Aim

The aim of the project is to provide dedicated support for low-income families and lift them out of poverty.

Summary

Invest in Renfrewshire is the primary employability service delivered by Renfrewshire Council. It provides support services to improve the welfare of children and families in Renfrewshire, tackling poverty through employment. The project provides help and support to any unemployed parent looking for work or those on low-income. Invest in Renfrewshire is a voluntary service that aims to tackle poverty and social inclusion in Renfrewshire through reducing unemployment and supporting local people to realise and fulfil their potential. The support provided includes welfare advice to maximise household income, help to improve confidence, accredited training, job searching and interview skills support, travel and help with childcare.

What difference does it make?

Invest in Renfrewshire has supported 352 new parents in 2023/24 to access, retain, and progress into employment. As income from employment is a significant driver of child poverty, targeted employment support for parents to increase their income from employment can make a difference to child poverty for those engaging with Invest. Clients receive one-to-one support and are trained through group sessions and interventions that enable parents to develop their confidence and skills. This has made a difference to their professional lives whilst also reducing poverty through employment. Clients are supported to reach and remain in employment through a range of practical and financial support services provided by Invest in Renfrewshire.

Key take-aways

• Increasing income through employment, education, and training provides a strong route out of poverty for families.
• A dedicated adviser is beneficial to service users. This keeps consistency with support and prevents people from telling their story multiple times.
• Employers have to adopt more flexible working practices.

 

Organisations

Renfrewshire Council.

Location

Renfrewshire. The employability base of the project is located in the Russell Institute in Paisley, but the project delivers a community-based service across Renfrewshire. The Russell Institute is a hub that provides employability services, training and development.

Invest in Renfrewshire started in 2019, while the Child Poverty Fund was outlined in 2022.

Contact