European Social Fund Employability Programme. Third Sector Engagement Fund Application Guidance

Transcription

1 European Social Fund Employability Programme Third Sector Engagement Fund Application Guidance

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3 Background North Lanarkshire Council is calling for projects from the Third Sector to assist unemployed residents in the North Lanarkshire area to be referred into North Lanarkshire s Working Employability Pipeline (NLWEP). Information on how to apply for the Third Sector Challenge Fund is set out in this document and attachments should be read in advance of submitting an application and should be referred to throughout the application process. Project selection is based on the EU Commission guidance, the National Rules and Guidance provided by the Scottish Government. Nature of costs will follow the EU Commission guidance. You should make yourself familiar with these guidelines before submitting your application to ensure that your proposal is eligible under European Funding guidelines. Application Guidance and Scoring Matrix Introduction Page 4 Assessment Process Page 5 Timescales Page 5 Q&A s Page 5 Deadline for Submissions Page 5 Selection Criteria Page 6 Scoring Matrix Page 7 Guidance on Application Completion Page European Social Fund Employability Programme 3

4 European Social Fund Employability Programme Introduction North Lanarkshire Council s Third Sector Engagement Fund is a flexible funding allocation to help deliver on the targets set out in North Lanarkshire s Working Employability Pipeline (NLWEP) and specifically in support of client engagement services. The range of activities will focus on engaging with the hardest to reach economically inactive clients, providing a co-ordinated client support service linked to the training, personal development and bespoke employability services available through North Lanarkshire s Working. Target groups will include ex-offenders, lone parents, carers, those with addiction issues, mental health, physical and mental disability, and others who face significant barriers in terms of employability. The overall aim is to provide additional tailored support for the hardest to reach groups in order to progress them towards referral into the North Lanarkshire s Working Employability Pipeline (NLWEP) so that they can be supported along the employability pipeline and specifically to ensure that participants are ready to access mainstream employability services. All activities will be delivered to residents from within North Lanarkshire Council area. Priority will be given to activities supporting the key target groups and offering local solutions to local issues. Activities operating in specific geographical areas where gaps in provision have been identified will be prioritised for funding and applications are welcomed from the third sector. This Third Sector Challenge Fund will be used to encourage the hardest to reach client groups from within the area to engage in services and participate in activities that will enhance their skills and overall employability with a view to becoming more job ready and more able to access mainstream services. This activity will contribute towards the overall targets as set out in the Pipeline Strategic Intervention Application for European Structural Funds

5 Assessment Process Members of the Assessment Panel for North Lanarkshire s Working Employability Pipeline (NLWEP) will include representatives from North Lanarkshire Council and Routes to Work Limited. Each application will be scored individually by panel members who will agree a moderated score and funding recommendation. Details of the scoring matrix are included later in this document. Once all applications have been scored the Assessment Panel will evaluate the applications based on their overall fit with the key aims of NLWEP and will agree overall programme requirements. Project Selection is based on EU Commission guidance, the National Rules and Guidance provided by the Scottish Government. Nature of costs will follow EU Commission guidance. Following the Assessment Panel scoring review process, recommendations will be referred to Head of Service for Education, Youth and Communities for final approval. All decisions are final and not subject to appeal. Timescales Q&A s A Question and Answer Day has been arranged for the afternoon of Monday 27th November 2017 where applicants can raise any technical queries relating to the application process. Only questions that are relevant to the process itself can be discussed, no advice on the contents or the validity of proposals will be given. To book a slot please contact Adele Muir, Employability Development Co-ordinator, by at muirad@northlan.gov.uk Deadline for Submissions Proposals must be submitted to the address below, no later than 2pm on Friday 12th January Any proposal received after the stipulated time and date will not be accepted and cannot therefore be considered. Adele Muir Employability Development Co-ordinator North Lanarkshire Council Education, Youth and Communities 2nd Floor, Kildonan Street Coatbridge, ML5 3BT Call for Challenge Fund applications 17th November 2017 Question and Answer Afternoon 27th November 2017 Deadline for Submissions 12th January 2018 Awards 23rd February European Social Fund Employability Programme 5

6 European Social Fund Employability Programme Selection Criteria Grant Funding will be awarded on the basis of the most economically advantageous application based upon the Quality Criteria and their associated weightings: Key Quality Criteria Detailed Quality Criteria Weighting % Capability and Commitment to Deliver the Solution - Previous experience and track record in dealing with the client group 40% - Expertise / special competence in addressing barriers to employment and training - Linkage with NLW Employability Pipeline - Engagement / Recruitment Process Functionality - Level of fit with NLC s requirements and proposed solution - Reporting mechanisms 60% - Feasibility of the intervention proposed - Timescale - Project Management / Monitoring Systems - Budget allocation 6

7 Scoring Matrix Assessment Score Interpretation Excellent 10 Exceeds the requirement. Exceptional demonstration by the applicant of the relevant ability, understanding, experience, skills, resource and quality measures required to provide the services. Response identifies factors that will offer potential added value, with evidence to support the response. Good 8 Satisfies the requirement with minor additional benefits. Above average demonstration by the applicant of the relevant ability, understanding, experience, skills, resource and quality measures required to provide the services. Response identifies factors that will offer potential added value, with evidence to support the response. Acceptable 6 Satisfies the requirement. Demonstration by the applicant of the relevant ability, understanding, experience, skills, resource and quality measures required to provide the services, with evidence to support the response. Minor Reservations Serious Reservations 4 Satisfies the requirement with minor reservations. Some minor reservations of the applicant s relevant ability, understanding, experience, skills, resource and quality measures required to provide the services, with little or no evidence to support the response. 2 Satisfies the requirement with major reservations. Considerable reservations of the applicant s relevant ability, understanding, experience, skills, resource and quality measures required to provide the services, with little or no evidence to support the response. Unacceptable 0 Does not meet the requirement. Does not comply and / or insufficient information provided to demonstrate that the applicant has the ability, understanding, experience, skills, resource and quality measures required to provide the services, with little or no evidence to support the response European Social Fund Employability Programme 7

8 European Social Fund Employability Programme Section A - The Applicant A1 Organisation Name Provide the name of your organisation as it appears on any governing documents. If you are known by another name please advise. A2 Address This should be the address of your organisation which will be used for communication relating to the programme, including remittance advice. If a different address is to be used for monitoring purposes please provide details. A3 Contact Information The main contact person should have good knowledge of the application and this is the person who will be contacted as part of the assessment process, or if there are any queries regarding the application. A4 Organisation Governance Applicants should identify the primary type of organisation as it appears on any governing document. A5 Organisation Registration If your organisation is a registered charity or a registered company, please confirm your organisation s registration number with OSCR or Companies House respectively. If your organisation is neither a registered charity nor a registered company, please confirm whether the organisation has a Constitution / Statement of Aims / Memorandum and Articles. A copy of the relevant documents must be supplied on request and can be enclosed with your application. Section B - Organisation Financial Information B1 Accounts and Auditing Please provide your most recent annual independently audited accounts. B2 Bank Details Please provide your bank account details; this should be the bank account details of your organisation which will be used for payments of challenge fund grant to your organisation. B3 Contracts with North Lanarkshire Council Please provide details of all contracts presently held with North Lanarkshire Council. Please include: Contract Title, Council Contact, Value and Expiry Date. B4 Grant Funding Received Please provide details of all grant funding presently awarded by North Lanarkshire Council. B5 Policies and Procedures Please confirm that you have the following policies and procedures in place, the date they were last updates and that copies can be supplied upon request: employer s liability and public liability insurance, health and safety policy and equal opportunities policy. A6 Organisation Aims and Objectives Please tell us about your organisation s main aims and objectives and give a short description of what your organisation s main activities are. 8

9 Section C - Project Proposals C1 Project / Programme Description and Relevance to NLWEP Priorities The description should identify specific target group(s) and an appropriate programme to move them towards and/or into work. Client engagement, selection, programme delivery and onward referral should be outlined. The application should clearly demonstrate that the proposed project addresses the priorities in the North Lanarkshire s Working Employability Pipeline (NLWEP) as set out in the introduction of this document. C2 Client Engagement / Recruitment Please provide details of your experience of dealing with client group and explain your client engagement / recruitment process. C3 Addressing Barriers to Employment and Training Please provide a minimum of two examples of successfully managing contracts to include addressing barriers to employment and training, which includes indentifying barriers, and dealing with them, either directly or through partnership working, during the past three years. C4 Targets, Progressions and / or Outcomes This relates to the fit with the overall objectives of North Lanarkshire s Working Employability Pipeline (NLWEP). The score will reflect the degree to which the project outputs and results are relevant, realistic, achievable and sustainable. Outline the following outputs and impacts: Number of participants engaged by the project Number of participants given advice and guidance Number of participants engaged in positive activity that will further enhance their employability Number of participants being referred into NLWEP Number of participants who are successfully registered with NLWEP C5 Partnership Working The project should demonstrate a track record of partnership working with relevant agencies. Section D - Reporting Mechanisms, Project Management and Monitoring Systems Please describe the systems and processes you use to administer provision effectively while ensuring secure, accurate and auditable records on client s data, progress and outcomes. Section E - Financial Breakdown Please provide a detailed breakdown of eligible project costs, covering premises, staff, customer support and any consumable costs. Section F Declaration The person responsible for completing and signing the form must be authorised to do so on behalf of the organisation European Social Fund Employability Programme 9

10 European Social Fund Employability Programme Notes 10

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12 This information can be made available in a range of languages and formats, including large print, braille, audio, electronic and accessible formats. North Lanarkshire Council Employability Services 2nd Floor Municipal Buildings Kildonan Street Coatbridge ML5 3BT t e. muirad@northlan.gov.uk EYC_