TNG have been delivering the Lone Parent programme in Merseyside for the past three years with great success. Originally launched as a pilot in the region, demand for the programme exceeded expectation and it was extended for a further two years.

Managed from two centres in Merseyside – Liverpool City Centre and Birkenhead - the programme started in October 2007 and was designed to support lone parents in achieving NVQ level 2 in the following occupational areas:

• Business Administration
• Customer Service/Retail
• Classroom Assistant
• Childcare (NVQ level 3)

Since 2007, the Lone Parent programme has successfully engaged with over 1,500 individuals, with 1,000 starts on the programme since it was introduced. Over 280 lone parents have since started work and a further 80% of customers have completed the programme and gained a qualification in their occupational area.

Why has it worked?

The success of the Lone Parent programme can be attributed to a combination of factors, which enabled the delivery a flexible programme suited to the demand of customers.

The programme was bespoke, created and delivered solely to meet the needs of lone parents. There was an understanding that TNG customers have other commitments, such as childcare, and as a result it was ensured that sessions and appointments were flexible to work around their needs. Customers were also signposted to appropriate childcare facilities, which were paid for by TNG, which enabled them to make the most of their time on the programme.

Customers on the programme were regularly encouraged to provide feedback and suggestions about their experience with TNG, what worked and what didn’t, which allowed staff to evaluate the content of the programme to ensure it met the needs of customers. For example, customers had the option to complete the referral interview either as a group or one-to-one, as centres piloted both ways to see which option was preferred. Feedback suggested that customers were nervous attending the centre on their own so knowing that they could participate in a group induction made them feel more comfortable.

Feedback also enabled TNG to ensure the course content was varied and relevant to customers, with a range of training and support available. This included:

• Confidence building courses
• Skills Analysis workshops
• Self promotion for interviews
• Job application workshops and 1-1
• NVQ underpinning knowledge workshops
• Literacy/ Numeracy support
• On-going Assessor/Tutor support

Above all, the programme was delivered by passionate and caring staff who were dedicated to providing customers with an enjoyable and inspiring experience in an environment where they felt comfortable and stimulated. The empathetic approach enabled customers not only to gain their NVQ Level 2 but many other certificates including first aid and manual handling, and develop their motivation and confidence.

Developing a supportive environment was integral to the success of the programme as it provided an opportunity for individuals to build and maintain friendships with other likeminded people, who may have otherwise felt and unsupported. Gaining qualifications, training, friendships and valuable experience helped many people on the programme to believe in themselves and helped them take the crucial steps towards employment and building a life for themselves and their family.

The success of the Lone Parent programme is personified by the achievements of Patricia and Neil, both of whom joined the programme and have since seen the positive changes in their lives that this has made.

Patricia has a one-year old son and was keen to get back to work to be able to provide for his future. She has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair which has been a barrier to her finding work in the past. She cannot use her hands to write but does so by using her mouth as she is determined to remain independent and motivated. Patricia was keen to update her skills and, working with staff from TNG, she secured a placement working at Remploy. The placement enabled her to brush up her workplace skills and retain her independence, which she is grateful for. Patricia has been an inspiration to others on her course and she is hopeful that the experience she has gained while on placement will help her secure a job in the future.

When Neil joined the lone parent programme, he lacked direction in his life. Having committed his time to bringing up his children aged 3, 10 and 14, he felt he needed some guidance to find, and keep, a job. At TNG, he discussed all his options with an adviser and decided to embark on a placement opportunity at a local estate agent. While working towards his Business Administration qualification, Neil remained reliable and enthusiastic throughout his time on placement and when a vacancy at the estate agent arose, Neil was encouraged to apply. He was successful in getting the job and is thoroughly enjoying it. In addition, he has met a new partner and is thrilled that, with help from TNG, he has turned his life around. He says "TNG helped me to primarily learn and train simultaneously and my confidence grew the further through my course I went. My communication skills beforehand were not very good but working alongside my assessor, my personal skills have grown immeasurably."

The success of the programme is reflected in the Grade 2 Quality Award that has been issued, which includes Leadership Management, performance, staff development, communications, IAG, Equality Diversity, safeguarding, placements, ILP’s reviews, customer/employer feedback, centre activity, teaching learning. The Liverpool centre (Cotton Exchange) is the only centre in the North to have received this grade so it’s great news to be going out on.