8. Partnership working

South Tyneside TEN is the leading locally- based non-statutory agency in the Borough of South Tyneside providing job search and related vocational and "employability" skills to workless people. TEN contributes actively to networking and sharing good practice and information within the STEP EIG Delivery Group and TEN already receives referrals from a number of partners including the Jobcentre Plus, Further Education Colleges, Voluntary agencies and training providers as well as new SPIW partners such as Working Links and the Wise Group. TEN is a member of the Next Step Guidance Network which is the regional partnership established with central government funding to develop Information, Advice and Guidance services in Tyne & Wear. TEN also has a long history of successfully working with BME groups and individuals. It founded the Compact for Race Equality in South Tyneside, a Home Office funded project to support access to public sector employment and services for BME groups.

In addition to optimising partner referrals, activities to market TEN provision and encourage engagement will encompass the following strands of activity: Local newspaper advertising; mails-shots to potential referral partners & agencies; Information briefing sessions to staff working within referral agencies including Jobcentre Plus staff; the development of customised "quick guides to TEN provision" for staff from our partner networks; promotion of the provision through the Tyne & Wear Together network the Next Step network; leaflets and hand-outs for potential customers distributed to Jobcentre Plus offices, libraries, community centres, local mosques and other places of worship, partner organisations; doctors' surgeries and schools. Particular emphasis will be placed on attempting to target publicity distribution at economically inactive groups such as Lone Parents and people on Incapacity Benefits.