Employment support for Dundee single parents – both in and out of paid work
18/06/2021
News
One Parent Families Scotland (OPFS) in Dundee is offering holistic, wrap-around support services for single parents who are looking to enter the job market or who are already in paid work but are looking to progress to better paid employment to improve their financial situation.
This is being provided as part of Dundee’s wider Discover Work Employment Pathway, delivered by All in Dundee, a partnership including Enable, Barnardos Works, Project Scotland, Dundee Employment and Aftercare Project (DEAP), Access to Industry, Dundee City Council and One Parent Families Scotland.
Who can use OPFS Dundee’s employment support services?
The first of these two OPFS programmes is targeted specifically at single parents who have a disability or mental health issues, and who are currently out of work. This does not need to have been diagnosed and could include issues like anxiety which can act as a barrier to employment.
The second – the new Parental Employment Support Project – is open to all parents in Dundee who are working and who want to build on their skills and training so they can access more employment opportunities and enhance their financial position. OPFS is supporting single parents specifically.
Many single parents are working fewer hours than they would like or are in jobs which do not make use of all their skills and potential. The PES Project aims to help parents in this position to be better equipped to find a job that works for them, meets their financial needs and allows them to progress.
What kind of support is on offer?
Single parents who are out of work will be supported on their journey into employment. Action plans are agreed with parents and they are supported by their OPFS Support Worker throughout.
This can include taking their very first steps in gaining skills and knowledge, undertaking training, compiling CVs, applying for college, completing application forms, and preparing for interviews.
There are opportunities to access free training to develop confidence and skills to develop employment potential.
Once in employment, in-work support is offered to help parents overcome any barriers which might impact on their ability to continue in the job.
For parents already in work, OPFS can help with building confidence, updating their CV, accessing accredited training, and looking for new job opportunities, as well as supporting parents to start a dialogue with their employers around their personal development and opportunities that may be available to them.
When and where does this support take place?
At the moment support is provided via telephone, Zoom (video calls) and email. Groups will be arranged over Zoom and will take place in person once restrictions allow for this. One-to-one home visits will be offered when restrictions lift.
The priority is to be as flexible as possible, so we arrange times and appointment lengths based on each parent's need.
The services are not time-bound, which means that ongoing support can be delivered at the parents' pace.
Other support for single parents
Find out more about One Parent Families Scotland’s local services in Dundee, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Glasgow, and Lanarkshire.
You can contact our national Lone Parent Helpline via webchat or on 0808 801 0323, any time between 9.30-4pm on Monday to Fridays.
How can I or a parent I work with access this support?
Both projects are open for single parents to get in touch to refer themselves, or professionals can make referrals on behalf of parents.
For parents who are not in work, referrals are also made to us by the Jobcentre.
For parents who are in work, employers who think one of their employees may benefit from this support can also make referrals. As this is a new project, employers across the city are being contacted to let them know about what’s on offer for themselves and for their employees through the project.