2025/26
Employability End of Year Report
- Executive summary
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During 2025/26, the employability service continued to make a meaningful contribution to the lives of Beyond Housing customers and local communities, by helping people build confidence, improve wellbeing, develop skills and move closer to work. Across the year, the service supported 357 customers against a target of 348, exceeding the overall customer support target and demonstrating continued demand for tailored, person-centred employability support.
Key outcomes included 87 customers gaining employment, 20 customers taking up volunteering opportunities with Beyond Housing, 15 apprentices joining the organisation, and 67 career engagement activities delivered.
The social value generated through the service remained significant. Using the HACT model, the service delivered a social return on investment of £4.42 for every £1 invested, representing a strong increase on the previous year and evidencing the wider value of employability, training, volunteering and wellbeing outcomes for individuals and communities.
Customer feedback was highly positive, with 100% of surveyed customers reporting that they were very happy with the support they received. Feedback highlights the importance of trusted relationships, non-judgemental support and practical guidance in helping customers feel listened to, empowered and able to make progress.
Introduction
The employability team is committed to making a meaningful and lasting difference to the lives and livelihoods of people living in our local communities.
They are dedicated to supporting their emotional resilience and wellbeing, helping individuals feel supported, confident, and able to thrive.
The team do this by offering opportunities to local people to develop skills and work within the communities they live in. This can include 1-2-1 support, work experience, volunteering and apprenticeship opportunities.
We’ve had some fantastic outcomes for 2025/26. Use the arrows to view each of them:
357
Customers received information, advice and guidance support to take their next steps (149 were Beyond Housing customers)
(Target – 348)
87
Customers gained employment (55 were Beyond Housing customers)
(Target – 106)
168
Customers took up training opportunities (64 were Beyond Housing customers)
(Target – 97)
20
New customers took up volunteering opportunities within Beyond Housing (6 were Beyond Housing customers)
(Target – 19)
14
New apprentices joined Beyond Housing (5 were Beyond Housing customers)
(Target – 15)
67
Career opportunities supported (5 were Beyond Housing customers)
(Target – 55)
This year, for every £1 that was invested we have had a social return on investment of £4.42.
Our customers and apprentices have taken part in 6 of the 13 opportunities available by our suppliers, including work experience placements and site visits.
100% of customers told us they were very happy with the support that they had received from the caseworkers and teams that had been part of their journey. Read more below.
“I have never felt judged or put in a box by Andrew. I feel like he has genuinely taken the time to get to know me and understand my situation.”
“I am very happy with how things are going at Westfield Farm and the staff are really positive.”
“Debbie gave great guidance and support; she was very knowledgeable and I would recommend the service to anyone.”
This year we’ve worked on seven core projects. Use the slider to view each one and click the button to read more:
Westfield Farm
Westfield Farm Community Resource and Training Centre offers people free use of their computers, as well as hosting a range of voluteering opportunities other initiatives.
Volunteering
Our volunteering opportunities empower customers, helping them to to develop valuable skills and gain hands-on experience in a work environment.
Work experience
Work experience placements at Beyond Housing support people to gain practical experience, develop valuable skills, and discover new opportunities.
Apprenticeships
Our apprenticeship programme offers people a fantastic experience, across a variety of roles – all with the opportunity to gain a qualification.
Employment Support and Training
Our dedicated caseworkers support Beyond Housing customers to overcome challenges, explore work options and achieve their ambitions.
Tees Valley Move Forward
The Tees Valley Move Foward programme supports customers who are economically inactive or
long-term sick, with their personal growth and self improvement.
Rise2Thrive
This holistic support project improves peoples’ health, skills and circumstances, by supporting them to progress towards a place where they can thrive.
