Guidance

August 2018: Touchbase edition 128

Updated 9 March 2020

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Rough sleeping strategy: prevention, intervention, recovery

Up to 6,000 vulnerable people will receive rapid specialist assessments and support under new measures in the government’s rough sleeping strategy.

Backed by £100 million of funding, the strategy sets out how the government will support homeless people and end rough sleeping by 2027.

The strategy has 3 pillars:

  • prevention – understanding the issues that lead to rough sleeping and providing timely support for those at risk
  • intervention – helping those already sleeping rough with swift support tailored to their individual circumstances
  • recovery – supporting people in finding a new home and rebuilding their lives

Summer jobs

Summer jobs help young people gain workplace skills that will provide a great platform for their future careers.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a summer jobs campaign to make it easier for people to find summer and seasonal jobs – and for employers to fill their vacancies.

As part of the campaign, a new search tool on Find a job allows jobseekers to search for summer jobs, and for employers to highlight their vacancies. There are currently over 29,000 summer or temporary jobs available on the service.

Understanding Universal Credit website

The newly launched Understanding Universal Credit website provides information to help people navigate Universal Credit.

There’s a section for organisations who support people in making and managing their Universal Credit claim, and another that helps employers understand what Universal Credit means for them and their employees who claim it.

Pension Awareness week 2018

From 10 September to 15 September 2018, the Pension Awareness campaign bus will be touring the UK.

Organised by Pension Geeks and Scottish Widows, and supported by DWP, the campaign aims to raise awareness of retirement planning.

The Pension Awareness campaign bus will visit the following cities:

  • Edinburgh (Monday 10 September 2018)
  • Newcastle (Tuesday 11 September 2018)
  • Leicester (Wednesday 12 September 2018)
  • Cardiff (Thursday 13 September 2018)
  • Reading (Friday 14 September 2018)
  • London (Saturday 15 September 2018)

Older workers toolkit for employers

The population is ageing. By 2030, half of all adults in the UK will be over 50 years old. The workforce is also becoming more age-diverse, with up to 5 generations working alongside each other for the first time.

Business in the Community, with support from DWP and ACAS, has produced a toolkit to help employers respond to the challenges of an ageing population and the needs of their older workers.

Child Benefit payments for 16 year olds staying in education or training

Child Benefit stops on 31 August on or after a child’s 16th birthday if they leave education or training. It continues if they stay in approved education or training, but parents or guardians must tell the Child Benefit Office.

Parents or guardians of children in their last year of school can confirm their plans:

Parents or guardians must tell the Child Benefit Office about their plans as soon as possible. All details must be processed by the Child Benefit Office by 30 August 2018.

GCSEs are changing

If you’re an employer, you may have started to receive applications and CVs from young people in England who have taken the new, more challenging, GCSEs which have a numerical grading scale.

More information about the new GCSEs and grading scale, and what your organisation needs to do to adapt, is available:

GCSEs are changing video

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have their own qualification systems, and are not affected by these changes.

Help to Save – government support for savers

HM Revenue & Customs has started a trial of the Help to Save scheme, which aims to help people become regular savers. The scheme is available to people who are:

  • entitled to Working Tax Credit and receiving payments for Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit
  • claiming Universal Credit and have a household income – in their last monthly assessment period – of £542.88 or more

Help to Save account holders can save up to £50 a month in their account. They will receive a 50% bonus on their highest balance after 2 years and a further bonus after 4 years if they continue to save. People who want to take part in the trial should apply online or call 0300 322 7093.

Help to Save will be available to everyone who is eligible by October 2018.

News round-up

Update on the future of DWP jobcentres

Unemployment rate falls to 4%, with record low youth unemployment

Two non-executive directors appointed to the Single Financial Guidance Body

All supported housing funding to be retained in welfare system

People with hidden disabilities to benefit from Blue Badges

Increased funding announced for disabled people with the greatest barriers to work

A boost for North East innovation to promote high-quality jobs and growth

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