EMPLOYABILITY END OF YEAR REPORT 2025/26
Project: Employment Support and Training
Overview
Employment Support and Training (EST) was launched in 2022 to support Beyond Housing tenants, household members and existing employees of the company. Unlike many other support services, EST can offer guidance to people regardless of benefit status, age and employment – for example, some of the people we work with are in full-time employment and are looking for a change, some are students considering their options in the workplace for the first time.
Employment support is usually characterised by helping people with CVs, application forms and preparation for upcoming interviews. We of course can help with that, but EST works with our customers to devise a holistic approach to their requirements. No two people are the same, and the bespoke service we offer reflects that, as our team is aware that returning to work can still be a distance away for some, so we can include a wellbeing aspect if need be.
New customers received support from their employment support worker
Customers secured employment
Customers took up training opportunities
- Case study - Tracey's journey
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Tracey was referred into Employment Support and Training by a member of Beyond Housing income team. When we first spoke to Tracey, she felt that she was lost and was unsure which way to turn. She had undergone a major life change and had started to drift as a result. Tracey was in debt and needed support with this, and she was also aware that she needed some advice to hep her come to terms with her mental health. Ultimately, she was lacking in self confidence and felt trapped by her situation.
Tracey was wary but we slowly built-up trust with her. She was a distance away from being work-ready, so we initially worked together on soft skills, improving her confidence and levels of motivation, as well as encouraging her to focus on positive aspects of her life and personality, rather than any negatives.
One of Tracey’s other concerns was PC literacy – she was, by her own admission, terrified of technology. We worked extensively together over months to improve her familiarity with mobile phones and computers. Once she felt that she was ready, Tracey attended and completed a digital skills course, EST was able to fund a laptop for her to work at her own pace, and she is now completing a self-guided level 2 e-learning course on health and social care at home.
Tracey’s confidence has grown so much and she is now much more aware of the great qualities she has to offer. She is now at a point where returning to paid employment is the realistic next step for her, which our team will continue to support her with.
Tracey said: “I’m so grateful for all the support I’ve had over the last year. From simple things like showing me how to use my new mobile phone to giving me the belief that there’s still a life for me to live.
I’ve worked with other agencies who haven’t really listened to me and have tried to get me to do things I don’t want to do – but I look forward to my appointments with EST and I’m looking forward to what this year will bring.”
- EST customer demographic data
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Category Subgroup Count Percentage Total Customers 106 100% Gender Male 69 65% Female 37 35% Age 15–17 8 8% 18–24 24 22% 25–49 48 45% 50+ 26 25% Ethnicity BAME 12 11% Additional needs Disability 19 20%
