- Department for Work and Pensions’ Youth Offer to expand,
providing tens of thousands more young people support to find
work.
- More young people claiming Universal Credit will have access
to jobs support – including Work Coaches and interview
preparation assistance.
Tens of thousands of 16-24-year-olds will be given access to
additional support in finding and securing work following the
expansion of the Department for Work and Pensions’ Youth Offer,
it has been announced today.
Despite youth unemployment being down by over 43% since 2010,
young people are more likely to be economically inactive than the
rest of the population. Today’s announcement expands
the DWP’s Youth Offer to
economically inactive claimants, who were previously ineligible,
as part of welfare reforms the Government is introducing to
reduce economic inactivity and help more people back into work.
The Youth Offer is an integral part of support offered to young
Universal Credit claimants which until today was only available
to young people deemed closest to work. The expansion will see
this support offered to thousands of economically inactive
claimants – those who are seen as further away from and who face
more challenges finding long term work.
This will give over 30,000 of 16-24-year-olds the option to
access three types of support through the Youth Offer: additional
time with a Work Coach early in their claim; access to Youth
Hubs; and Youth Employability Coaches.
Evidence shows that work is an effective way to improve
wellbeing. This ranges from reducing the risk of depression to
improving physical health, as well as helping to build
self-confidence and providing a place where people can socialise
and form friendships.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, MP said:
My department is introducing the next generation of welfare
reforms to reduce economic inactivity and help thousands more
people into work.
Expanding the Youth Offer will not only help to grow the economy,
it will change lives – providing more young people with the pay,
purpose and mental health advantages that we know work brings.
The Youth Offer consists of three key elements, the cornerstone
of which is offering claimants additional Work Coach time early
in their claim and help in referring young people to the
appropriate support.
Work coaches give claimants support, guidance, and advice to get
into work. This could range from identifying transferable skills
which fit the local job market, updating CVs and interview
coaching.
Alongside this, Youth Hubs across Great Britain give advice and
guidance to young people seeking work, and some offer this help
on a drop-in basis. They are located within other organisations
to provide access to more services in one location.
Young claimants with more serious and complex barriers to work,
such as problems with addiction or finding somewhere permanent to
live also have access to Youth Employability Coaches. These
coaches can provide tailored and intensive support to young
claimants before, during and after they have entered work, which
alongside the other aspects of the Youth Offer, help to ensure
that everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of good
employment, regardless of their situation.
Minister for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression, said:
The best way to get on in life, improve wellbeing and make
friends is through work, and the expanded DWP Youth Offer
gives our young people the key tools and support they need to
find fulfilling and meaningful work.
We are delivering for young people across the country, and I’m
delighted that tens of thousands of them will be able to access
life-changing support to progress in employment through the
expanded DWP Youth Offer.
Barry Fletcher, CEO of Youth Futures Foundation said:
We welcome the extension of the Youth Offer, which will provide
support to more young people in their search for a job.
Evidence shows that some groups of young people, including young
parents and carers, face additional challenges in their search
for work and we are pleased to see the start of the expansion
today, enabling more young people to benefit from the
accessibility of Youth Hubs and the guidance specialist coaches
can provide.
Today’s expansion is part of the £3.5 billion package of measures
announced in the 2023 Spring Statement from the Chancellor to get
more people into work. This includes £485 million of investment
in support for unemployed people who are on Universal Credit, as
well as people working less than full time hours.
For more information about how you can apply for Universal Credit
and access the Youth Offer see here.
