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flexible support fund

Daphne
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rightsnet writer / editor

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Written answer that sets out how much funding has been given to the flexible support fund over the last five years and what it has been spent on - the main areas being transport, childcare and training.

There have been some quite substantial underspends - possibly JC staff not letting claimants aware that it’s available? - and the level of funding has now reduced considerably

Daphne
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rightsnet writer / editor

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New Smart works scheme where women in Islington, Ladbroke Grove, Edinburgh, Reading, Stockport and Birmingham can get free clothes (to keep) for a job interview.

From touchbase -

To be eligible women must have an arranged job interview. Their work coach can then refer them to the scheme. At their appointment, women receive an outfit of high-quality clothing, free and theirs to keep, selected for them by 2 stylists. They then receive interview coaching with a senior HR or recruitment professional. All clothing is new or nearly new, donated by retailers and other women.

Stuart
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FOI response gives details of 2017/2018 funding levels, partial spending breakdown and who can and can’t access it.

Daphne
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rightsnet writer / editor

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Total Posts: 3537

Joined: 14 March 2014

Written answer that gives breakdown of Flexible Support Fund expenditure by geographical area and category for 16/17 and 17/18.

Unfortunately they have changed the category recording between the two years so, for example, childcare is recorded separately for 16/17 but absorbed into ‘removing barriers’ in 17/18 so difficult to make comparisons across the years. Also all before Amber Rudd announcing fund was available for childcare.

Vonny
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Welfare rights adviser - Social Inclusion Unit, Swansea

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Joined: 17 June 2010

Rules about the flexible support fund - you do not talk about the flexible support fund