This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Working for Families Fund
29/11/2004
A £2 million project in North Ayrshire, using an
allocation from the Working for Families Fund, was launched
today.
The project aims to provide flexible options to improve
employment chances and help to tackle poverty and
disadvantage in deprived areas.
It includes:
- providing advisers
- childcare services
- support for young parents and parents who are
considering returning to or entering the jobs
market
- a Wage Subsidy Programme giving financial
assistance to employers to hire new employees
- on-the-job work experience
Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm said:
"Working for Families is part of our anti-poverty
strategy providing practical and financial help to prevent
people from falling into poverty, providing routes out of
poverty and sustaining people in a lifestyle free of
poverty.
"Improving job prospects by helping people access
training which in turn can lead to work is central to our
efforts. Work isn't the route out of poverty for everyone
but for many we need to ensure the opportunity is
there.
"One of the main barriers to work or training for many
parents is childcare, which can be too expensive, too
inflexible or perhaps just doesn't seem right for the
parent. This is particularly true for parents in our most
disadvantaged areas, who find it hardest to cope with the
costs of childcare.
"Working for Families can help with this and can deliver
real change and make a difference to people's lives. I
encourage all parents to use the service to get help and
support to access training and work, and childcare for
their children."
The North Ayrshire project is led by the Council with
NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire,
Careers Scotland, North Ayrshire Childcare Partnership,
Jobcentre Plus, Volunteering Service North Ayrshire, CVS
North Ayrshire, local colleges and community groups.
Councillor Margaret McDougall, Chair of Working for
Families North Ayrshire said:
"Working for Families North Ayrshire is forging ahead to
develop and create new networks and new partnerships to
support and assist parents in our community.
"Our aim is to remove restrictions and barriers in the
way of getting a job and focus on employment
opportunities."
The WFF is allocated to 10 local authorities with the
highest concentrations of children in poor (workless)
households. It was £10 million for 2004-05 and £10 million
for 2005-06.
The Scottish Budget has allocated £15 million for
2006-07 and £15 million for 2007-08.