Step Up programme helps parents find new future

A new work skills programme designed to help parents of pre-schoolers into sustainable employment has been launched as the nation looks towards its future.

Like so many groups, the pandemic has presented specific challenges for parents. It is unsurprising that many are now re-evaluating their priorities and forming new ambitions for what’s next.

Accelerate’s Step Up programme has three steps – signing up to working with a Journey Guide, access to courses to improve skills and confidence and help to move towards getting work.

It helps parents learn while their children are still at home and plan ahead for their future after school starts.

Accelerate journey guides working together through a partnership of local organisations helped devise the new programme to add to the existing wide range of job support services available.

Anyone signing up can access all of these benefits as well as the more specialised support that addresses barriers that many parents and carers can face when trying to find work.

Children’s centres, family centres, community centres and Barnardo’s children’s charity are helping to promote the scheme.

Journey guides from Grapevine help disabled people get work in Coventry and Warwickshire, continuing their support for employer and employee even after work is secured. Watch Libby’s story to see how it works.

Accelerate is a Building Better Opportunities project funded by the European Social Fund and the National Lottery Community Fund.