Career Connect Sefton’s focus on inclusion and engagement has been recognised with two places on the shortlist of the Employment Related Services Association (ERSA) Employability Awards 2024.
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Careers Adviser Katie Enstone has been shortlisted in the Frontline Adviser Award, while the team’s Turnaround Project with Hugh Baird College has made the Partnership and Collaboration Award category.
Now in their 12th year, the ERSA Employability Awards recognise outstanding achievements and innovation across the employability sector.
Career Connect delivers the Sefton NEET Reduction and Early Intervention Service on behalf of Sefton Council. The team supports young people in the local area who are currently not in employment, education or training (NEET), providing them with support to access education, employment and training (EET).
(L-R) Katie Enstone and Ste Walmsley from Career Connect’s Sefton team.
The Frontline Adviser Award – Katie Enstone
Katie supports a large caseload of young people in Sefton, building strong, trusting relationships. She works with young people who have special educational needs and those with emotional and social mental health needs. Katie tackles barriers to ensure equal access to education, employment and training for her young people, while also advocating on their behalf to local authority and training provider decision-makers.
This year alone, Katie has helped create new educational, employment and training outcomes – including 26 new opportunities. She has made significant impact with young people, with 88% of those she supports leaving school and progressing into learning. Many would be still NEET without her ability to advocate, shape and engage young people into provision. Katie gives a voice and hope to vulnerable young people, and is considered an independent, trusted ally who works in their best interests.
Partnership and Collaboration Award – Career Connect and Hugh Baird College
The Turnaround Project is a bespoke, needs-based employability and study programme for young people in Sefton, delivered by Career Connect and Hugh Baird College. The Project aims to re-engage young people aged 16-18 who have not been in education, employment or training for over three months – including vulnerable young people in Sefton. This programme targets NEET young people who are furthest away from the labour market and looking for alternatives to Mainstream College.
Turnaround was created after Career Connect’s team in Sefton identified a gap in local post-16 careers support for those young people furthest from employment. The team looked at local data and spoke to young people to understand local needs. They then worked with Sefton Council to secure funding for a pilot programme with Hugh Baird College.
In response to feedback from some young people that attending at college premises or locations out of the immediate area could be a barrier, the programme is delivered at a local community centre.
Career Connect Adviser Ste Walmsley is the link on the project and uses his extensive local knowledge to engage with young people and build partnerships to create opportunities.
The curriculum, and individual learning plans were developed in partnership, with a focus on intensive careers support and employability. Programme participants have enjoyed work tasters, employer talks and visits, and Career Connect has provided pastoral support at every step.
After a successful pilot 100% of the programme participants progressed into EET. Three new cohorts have been commissioned and Hugh Baird College has also developed an online programme for young people with special educational needs (SEN). In total, the collaboration has created 69 new, bespoke learning pathways, helping young people to develop skills and knowledge to support their career planning and progression to either further learning or employment.
Sarah Vaughan, Senior Operations Manager for Career Connect Sefton team, said: “It is fantastic to see two ERSA nominations for our work in Sefton. We know that services need to be designed around people.
“Katie is passionate about supporting young people in Sefton. She helps create opportunities and sustained change in young people’s career journey while also building trusted relationships with them and with their families. She creates excellent partnerships to ensure that our work is co-ordinated and informed. The outcomes she achieves for many of the young people she works with are truly life changing.
“Ste has used his in-depth understanding of the needs of young people in Sefton, and his excellent skills at building relationships with young people and agencies to achieve fantastic outcomes for Turnaround Project participants. Working together has also further strengthened our relationship with Hugh Baird College and it is leading to even more exciting opportunities.
“I’m very proud of both Katie and Ste and everyone involved in making the Turnaround Project a success, and also want to say a big thank you to our partner Hugh Baird College.”
Sheila Clark, CEO of Career Connect said: “Inclusion is at the heart of both Katie and Ste’s work, and their collaboration with our local partners in Sefton is key in achieving the best outcomes for our young people.
Katie’s strong relationships, and Ste’s work in leading the Turnaround Project shows what we can achieve for young people when we listen to their needs, champion them, and provide support that is the right fit. They provide crucial help and support for those furthest away from the labour market, helping young people to get back on track, so that they can plan how to move forward with their career plans.
“Congratulations to Katie, Ste and the Turnaround Team, and we wish them the best of luck for the Awards!”
Sarah Collins, Director of Foundation Studies at Hugh Baird College, said:
“We are incredibly proud to see the Turnaround Project recognised on such a prestigious platform. This programme highlights the importance of collaboration in addressing the needs of young people who face significant challenges.”
“The success of the Turnaround Project demonstrates what can be achieved when we listen to young people, understand their needs, and work together to provide tailored support. To see so many participants progress into education, employment, or training reflects the hard work and dedication of everyone involved.”
“We are delighted for Katie and Ste on their well-deserved nominations and thank Career Connect for their continued partnership in creating opportunities for young people in Sefton.
You can find out more about the ERSA Awards and all the other nominees HERE. The winners will be announced following ERSA’s Annual Conference in London on Wednesday 4th December 2024.
