Breaking Barriers First Step Programme
2
The Pitch
Problem statement
Refugees were already hugely disadvantaged prior to the pandemic with an unemployment rate four times higher than the national average due to structural barriers including: gaps in their CVs from the long asylum process, insufficient English language skills and a lack of understanding of UK hiring practices. However, with the onset of Covid-19 the challenges faced by refugees have only been exacerbated as our research shows that 17% of refugees in London employed prior to the pandemic have lost their jobs, compared to 5% of the general population. Refugees face additional challenges adapting to a world increasingly conducted online with just 58% having access to a laptop.
Solution
Breaking Barriers’ ‘First Steps’ Programme is specifically aimed at refugees looking for their very first job in the UK. The programme provides unemployed clients a tailored, two-hour appointments with a specialist Employment Adviser or trained volunteer – offering CV and cover lettering writing assistance, job searching and interview practice, alongside digital skills support - empowering them in finding meaningful and fulfilling employment. First Steps clients also gain access to sector-specific skills workshops, led by our corporate partners. These workshops provide invaluable insight into working life in the UK and a chance to develop key skills to succeed in finding employment.
Why are we best placed to deliver?
As a small organisation with big ambitions, Breaking Barriers has, since 2015, supported more than 1,300 people of refugee backgrounds on their employment journeys. Through our unique partnerships model, we have demonstrated that social investments in pathways to employment for refugees can deliver strong outcomes for refugees, companies, and partners alike. Our work with IKEA most clearly demonstrates the reach and power of our model with partnership data showing that 29 of our clients going into long-term employment and with a retention rate of over 94% (compared to a company-wide rate of 46%). IKEA is now rolling out this model globally as a direct result of our partnership.
Focus Areas
Delivery plan
Budget breakdown
| Proportion of one Employment Advisers Net Wage (10 weeks equivalent) | £4,100 |
| On costs including tax (10 weeks) | £520 |
| On costs including National Insurance (10 weeks) | £380 |
Beneficiaries
157 people
Expected impact
With support from the Strong Foundations Grant, we expect to deliver the following activities over the next 10 weeks through our First Steps programme:• 61 clients supported through First Steps • 25% of these clients will engage with our Education programme – 15 clients in total• 288 hours of one-to-one employment advice sessions• 48 hours of volunteer support for First Steps clientsWe will work towards the following outcomes for First Steps clients:• 33% of clients enter employment education, volunteering or training• 80% of clients report increased confidence and motivation to reach their goals• 80% of clients report increased chances of finding work• 90% of clients report satisfaction with Breaking Barriers servicesBreaking Barriers has a robust impact and evaluation framework which we use to measure the success of our work against the hard and soft outcomes outlined above.
Track record
Since our inception in 2015, we have been working tirelessly to create education, training, and employment opportunities for people of refugee backgrounds, in London. Now, six years on, we have grown to become an award-winning name in the refugee sector. One such recognition was to receive the Queen’s Award for Promoting Enterprise through Social Mobility, earlier this year. We are extremely proud of this award as it recognises the strength of our interventions in supporting refugees to rebuild their lives through meaningful employment. Integral to our work are our supporters and as one of them put it: 'Breaking Barriers has quickly become the leading organisation in the UK for providing employment support to integrate refugees. Their business-led response is truly innovative and is already leading to international recognition from businesses, public sector bodies and the UN more widely. We trust their model and we look forward to working with them' - UNHCR Policy Officer