Project updates

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East of England LGA, Strategic Migration Partnership (SMP)

Employability for Overseas Nationals

Project Report Q1: April-June 2025

Overall project aim: We provide an intensive, wrap around model of support in our funded areas in the region with a focus on registering 365 clients (including at least 25 Hong Kongers and 25 Ukrainians) to provide general employment support to a range of overseas nationals. We also work with asylum seekers before a decision is made on their asylum claim to assist them with the transition if they are granted leave to remain in the UK.

Overview

Employability for Overseas Nationals (EON) – Local Government East started in November 2023 to meet the needs of clients who could not access other refugee employability programmes and followed on from Wellbeing and Work for Refugee Integration – EELGA SMP. EON is now funded in 2025/6 through 8 local authorities in the East of England as well as contributions through the Strategic Migration Partnership from the Hong Kong Hub and Ukraine funding assigned by central government (MHCLG).

1. Employment advisers’ activities delivered.

The employment advisers (EAs) continue to work hard in the areas where clients are eligible for EON. They continue to create/edit CVs as well provide advice on jobs, volunteering and further training. They also assist clients with advice and support for complicated application forms and cover letters. They refer to ESOL classes where appropriate. All clients have an action plan that is reviewed regularly. The EAs also refer to and chase up attendance at the classes provided under EON (IELTS, OET, driving theory and housing course). In Luton and Cambridge, the EAs have worked hard to build up local links and contacts where these did not previously exist. Referrals to the ENIC qualification equivalence service remains a core service, with 5 certificates of equivalence requested in the quarter. The Cambridge EA has assisted with transportation issues for clients registered for courses at Bedford college. The Luton EAs are visiting a range of asylum accommodation sites to work with new clients.

2. Successes, achievements and milestones delivered during this reporting period.

The EAs are establishing and maintaining close contact with clients, especially in new areas of focus, including using WhatsApp. In Cambridge the EA built up relationships with a new set of clients and will be able to work intensively with them over the next quarter. In Essex, clients are moving to job readiness and the EAs are actively supporting their applications. In addition, two nurses were referred to the high skills employment adviser. The increased capacity in Essex means that the two EAs are reaching more asylum-seeking clients in a range of locations whilst continuing with existing client meeting points, such as Southend. The work in Luton is gratefully received since asylum seeking clients require many of the services offered by EON.

3. Challenges experienced.

Language barriers between the EAs and clients persist in some cases with the use of translation apps being common where necessary.

The EAs need to follow up referrals to external training providers when no response is received. This can take up a lot of time.

Overall ESOL attendance remains an issue with some people not attending for a variety of reasons including limited IT skills and use of a smartphone rather than access to a device with a larger screen, which make accessing online classes a challenge.

4. High skills clients.

In total 48 clients transferred from EON 2024 and the High Skills Employment Adviser (HSEA) has worked with 28 of these in the first quarter.

In April the HSEA was involved in planning and preparing with Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) a Medicine in the UK event, which was aimed at doctors from overseas and involved the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE). The aim is to provide support and guidance to overseas medics who are currently unable to practice in the UK. It also aimed to build a community of practice which could offer potential pathways for tailored support in the future.

This event featured valuable talks and guidance from experienced medical professionals from within and outside Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) such as GP leads and Breaking Barriers. 10 of our doctors attended with a follow up on further volunteer support. Clinical attachments as well as shadowing opportunities within Chelmsford and Cambridgeshire are also being explored. The HSEA has been involved in sharing our current opportunities and how this has helped our doctors; ongoing work and project pilots will be confirmed within the next few months.

After meeting with REACH (Refugee and Asylum Health Care Professionals Education) we will be added to their website for possible support within our region for healthcare.

We have been able to support 3 doctors and 1 nurse with OET exam fees  and other financial assistance; other clients continue to be advised and supported as required.

The HSEA delivered a Let’s Employ Refugees session to Refugee Action staff and we are now jointly planning to deliver a session to employers to reduce barriers for overseas clients when seeking employment.

Other developments include meetings with NHS trusts in Bedfordshire and Luton to work towards creating refugee volunteer opportunities within hospitals.

5. ESOL classes

During the quarter we were able to offer IELTS, driving theory and housing courses. 10 people started the IELTS preparation course, 14 driving theory and 16 housing courses. However attendance was disappointing for the housing course with only 7 attending up to the end of the quarter.

The IELTS learners are making progress but require more practice before they can take the exam. There is also a set of online materials for learners to follow and some take up that offer, but others do not. The current set of driving theory learners generally have lower English levels requiring additional support, but attendees are vocal and highly engaged. Housing course learners are progressing well even though the class is small.

Attendance remains a challenge in all courses including IELTS whereas this is exacerbated for driving theory and housing due to lower English levels and digital literacy issues. Higher-level driving theory learners can be frustrated by the slow pace required to cater for lower-level learners.

6. Feedback survey.

We received 14 responses (from 99 participants) to the quarterly feedback survey, 6 from Luton, 3 from Essex and 5 from Cambridge. Ratings are out of 5.

Our EAs have received excellent feedback. Here are some the individual comments:

Luton

I am satisfied with the support I have received from BRASS

Thanks very much everyone is perfect. I need help with applying for jobs please.

I am very grateful for the support I received from my employment adviser. They were attentive, respectful, and genuinely interested in helping me move forward. Their guidance helped me build confidence and explore job opportunities I hadn’t considered before. I truly appreciate their time and effort, and I feel more hopeful about my future. Thank you!

They were patient, considerate, and provided us with excellent support. We are very thankful for their time and efforts.

Sharifullah and Helena were very supportive and provided me with valuable information.

Essex

It is very good opportunity for me. I am happy.

Advisor Abdul has been incredibly professional and supportive throughout my job search journey. He provides valuable advice that has already improved my resume and boosted my confidence. I truly appreciate his guidance and feel well-supported as we continue working toward finding the right opportunity.

Cambridge

I am happy thanks for helping Lareb😊

At first thank you for your cooperation EON, specially from Lareb with patience she listened my opinions and help me.

7. Summary

Despite the fact that EON 2025/6 is available in fewer geographical locations (Suffolk, Essex, Luton, Cambridge and East Hertfordshire) than in previous years, the employment advisers (EAs) continue to work hard at reaching and supporting clients. Some of the EAs have fewer hours and are working in different locations. This includes working only in Luton rather than Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire and only in Cambridge City and East Cambridgeshire rather than Peterborough. It is challenging to build up networks in new areas as well trust with new clients. Nevertheless the EAs have reached a total of 99 new clients in the quarter as well as excellent feedback from the satisfaction survey. We are therefore on target to reach the planned client numbers this financial year. Although we are reaching Ukrainians in particular in Suffolk and Essex, it is important that we also focus on reaching Hong Kongers going forward in order to achieve the target of 25 for the year.

Connect To Work

The central team has attended many Connect to Work – GOV.UK events across the region this quarter. There are opportunities to link with this new programme that is just getting started, in particular in Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire. Although there will be Connect to Work projects in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Norfolk there appear to be few opportunities for us to participate in these areas. The central team is therefore assembling a training offer that could be used nationally for Connect to Work employment specialists to enable them to improve working with the eligible target groups that we are familiar with (refugees after a positive asylum decision, Afghans and Ukrainians).

We will continue to work flexibly to develop our services in response to the available budget, feedback on our funders’ priorities as well as the government’s policy and legislative framework.

Please direct any questions about this report to: Gill Searl at gill.searl@localgoveasteng.gov.uk or 07790 973101

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