03 February 2009 – Publication of DWP research report 561:
Evaluation of Partner Outreach for Ethnic Minorities (POEM): interim report
- The Partners Outreach for Ethnic Minorities (POEM) programme began in March 2007 and is a two-year project. This report covers the first year only. The programme supports people who are non-working partners in low-income families. Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Somali communities are the main target groups, with a particular focus on women.
- The ultimate aim of the programme is to move clients into work, however, it was recognised that some clients would be a considerable distance from the labour market, and may not have obtained work by the end of the first year. POEM is delivered by contracted providers in ten designated areas, six of which are in London, with the others in Birmingham, Bradford, Leicester, and Manchester.
- Providers used teams of multi-lingual outreach workers from the same ethnic backgrounds as the target client groups to engage clients. One of the key factors which determined their success was the extent to which providers were able to locate, build and maintain suitable links in the community.
- Outreach activities are a successful way of engaging this client group. In the first year, POEM providers attracted 80% of the number of people they were targeted to engage with. The number of job entries was 1,016.
- As well as job entries, clients achieved greater confidence and motivation, increased awareness of job opportunities, jobsearch skills, interview skills and improved English language skills.
- Overall, factors which contributed to POEM’s success were: creative outreach strategies; making clients feel comfortable; a wide range of provision to choose from; employer networks and flexibility. Tailored advice and one to one support was a key element of POEM and drew all other aspects of provision into a coherent whole.
Notes to Editors
POEM is a two-year project funded between March 2007 and March 2009.
This is an interim report. There will be a final report in Summer 2009.
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Prepared by: Department for Work and Pensions Welfare to Work Directorate
