Steps

This ESF funded service assists those who have multiple barriers to employment or who are long term unemployed. Our objective is for each individual to complete their action plan by moving into employment, training, more advanced qualifications or progression to stage 3 providers on the Employability Pipeline.

What we do

An Apex Personal Development Mentor will work with each person and agree an action plan, reviewed at regular intervals, created together to address any barriers while building on the individual’s strengths and skills. We will support each person to achieve specific milestones to ensure they progress towards full time employment, education, training or accessing other employment support.

Some elements we will assist with include:

benefits requirements (including signing up for Universal Jobmatch)
letters of disclosure
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
registration with health professionals
opening bank accounts
progression into volunteering or work experience
opportunities to achieve recognised vocational qualifications such as CSCS card

Who is it for?

Our Steps service is support offered to participants who have multiple barriers to employment or are long term unemployed.

Barriers (other than being long term unemployed) can include:

having criminal convictions
mental health issues
Looked after young person
Migrants
From employment deprived areas
Living in a jobless household
Armed forces veteran
Low income employed
Substance related conditions

This list is not exhaustive and a call to your local Apex team can give more details on qualifying criteria.

How it is accessed

Referrals are not restricted to a particular source for this service, and can include self-referrals, as long as participants are facing two of the noted barriers. Please telephone or email your local Apex office for more information.