Enable awarded contract to support homeless people into employment
Shropshire Council’s Enable Supported Employment service has been awarded a significant contract to deliver employment support to homeless individuals across Shropshire and Telford.
The pilot program funded by the Centre for Homelessness Impact, will run until June 2026, with the referral window remaining open until June 2025. This timeframe allows Employment Specialists ample opportunity to work closely with their clients, helping them secure meaningful employment by the program’s end.
This initiative positions Enable as one of three providers selected through a competitive national process to implement this unique pilot program within homelessness services.
Using the successful Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model*, employment Specialists will offer individualised one-on-one support to clients to identify their employment goals and aspirations. Specialists work will closely within the housing teams and with local employers across Shropshire and Telford, ensuring that they find the right job for each individual, making the employment sustainable.
Employment specialists will also have a presence in temporary accommodation locations such as the Tannery in Shrewsbury to ensure advice and support are readily available, while also fostering a strong connection with all housing support teams and temporary accommodations across Shropshire and Telford.
A step in the right direction
Councillor Cecilia Motley, Cabinet Member for adult social care and public health said:
“We are delighted to support this innovative program. By integrating employment specialists into housing teams, we can provide holistic support to those most in need, offering them the best chance to rebuild their lives.
“Enable’s new contract underscores a commitment to innovative solutions and support for some of society’s most vulnerable individuals. As the program progresses, it will be closely monitored and evaluated to ensure its success and potential for broader implementation in the future.”
Councillor Dean Carroll, Cabinet Member for housing and assets, added,
“This initiative is a testament to our commitment to addressing homelessness. By focusing on employment as a core part of housing support, we can help individuals achieve long-term stability and independence.”
“The program represents a significant step forward in addressing the employment needs of homeless individuals who currently lack access to IPS through other employment programs. By filling this gap, the initiative aims to create lasting positive change and offer homeless individuals the opportunity to achieve sustainable employment, ultimately contributing to their overall well-being and stability.”
You can listen to our Enable team talking about the pilot scheme on BBC Radio Shropshire between from 31:22 to 41:11 here.
To find out more about Enable Supported Employment Services visit: https://enableservices.co.uk/
Further information
About Enable Supported Employment Services
Enable work directly with both job seekers and employers to find the right job for the right person. With over 30 years’ experience, Enable have a proven track record of ensuring that clients find the right careers path that suits their interests and skills, leading to sustainable employment, ultimately providing employers with suitable candidates for the job.
Proven Success of IPS
The IPS model has already demonstrated considerable success within Mental Health services and, more recently, in Drugs and Alcohol services. The expansion of IPS to support homeless individuals in Shropshire and Telford is, therefore, a highly anticipated development. As this program is a pilot, its primary aim is to establish the effectiveness of IPS as an employment model in contrast to more traditional employment support methods. Consequently, this initiative will be conducted as a randomised control trial. Find out more at Groundbreaking Study Aims to Transform Employment Outcomes for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness Through IPS – IPS Grow
Clients referred to the program will be assigned to either a control group, receiving employment support from pre-existing projects, or an intervention group, receiving IPS employment support, provided they meet the criteria.