Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) now has a young person’s employability service within key HSCP services. Glasgow City Council (GCC) is the lead partner for this, and Council staff work closely with our HSCP’s Health Improvement staff.

As part of the Scottish Government’s No One Left Behind Employability Strategy, our employability coaches can support young people who are aged 16 to 25 years, live in the GCC boundary or are currently attending a GCC school and have the right to live and work in the UK.

Nicola Scott, Health Improvement Lead said: “Four of our HSCP services – ESTEEM, Family Nurse Partnership, Social Work Intensive Support Monitoring Service and the Youth Health Service – have an employability coach as part of their team.

“Specific priority is given to those young people who are most at risk and have multiple barriers to employment. To help support their engagement, participation and progression, staff can directly refer young people using their service to help them secure and sustain a positive destination.

“Examples of outcomes and positive destinations include achieving a qualification, new employment, starting a work placement and starting a Modern Apprenticeship.”

The coaches deliver a person-centred service over 12 months, providing all participants with a highly personalised programme of learning and activity that will improve their individual skills. All participants have a strengths-based assessment, which recognises their learning and experiences and the wide range of influences on vulnerable people’s lives, for example, health, housing and family circumstances.

Main areas of support include confidence building, interview skills, CV support, college application support and support to access bank accounts, as well as signposting to additional support services.

Young people who have worked with our coaches said:

“My confidence has increased thanks to the coach. Without the coach I would not be where I am, with the aspirations I have, let alone working towards these.”

“I found that by making a plan, I could work steadily, deal with obstacles one by one and then get to realise my ambitions.”

Staff within the services really appreciate the coaches. Comments in a staff survey included:

“I feel lucky that we have the Employability Coach embedded in our service. They have successfully supported young people to positive training and educational destinations and are a critical part of the range of services and supports the team offer.”

“The coach plays a vital role in positive recovery outcomes for patients.”

“Our clients who have worked with the employability coach report a variety of career options they did not realise could be open to them and an increased level of self-confidence.”

“The coach reaches young people who are disengaged and usually have been out with any form of education for considerable periods.”

“A difficult to engage patient has now attended Princes Trust and has a clear pathway to work. He has given positive feedback about the service he has received and feels confident as a result of the support offered by the coach.”