Key worker models : what key worker approaches, capacity and capabilities are important at different stages of the journey to employment? (Talent Match Case Study Theme Report)

This report focuses on the role of key workers (i.e. individuals providing one-to-one advice and support to beneficiaries) in employment programmes and the approaches, capacity and capabilities that are important at different stages of the journey to employment. It draws on findings from the Talent Match (TM) National Evaluation about how key worker support is being delivered, how it has evolved over the lifetime of TM and what key worker support looks like. Talent Match is a Big Lottery Fund strategic programme investing pounds108 million in 21 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) areas, which have experienced particularly high levels of youth unemployment. The focus of the programme is on developing holistic approaches to combating worklessness amongst long-term NEETs. A key aspect of the programme is to bring young people closer to, and into employment. Part One of this report outlines what key workers are and the different approaches they adopt in employment programmes. Part Two presents findings from a survey of all TM partnerships and case studies in four TM partnerships comprising qualitative interviews with partnership leads, key workers and beneficiaries. Based on these findings it presents a model of how key workers support young people on their journey to employment, highlighting the experience, attributes and skill sets needed by key workers at different stages of a young person?s journey to employment. Part Three sets out the learning on key worker approaches, capacity and capabilities emerging from this research.