IAG – INFORMATION, ADVICE AND GUIDANCE

Introduction

The delivery of good quality, timely IAG is intrinsically linked to the vision of “small change, big difference”, helping participants to achieve their goals and aspirations. This manifests in several ways across the Workpays provision, including helping participants to:
     • make informed decisions about their programme
     • address barriers
     • understand where they are concerning their goals and ambitions, and the steps they need
        to take to get there
     • feel confident their current activity is leading them in the right direction
     • be proactive in their independent research about their career and learning prospects
     • have a greater awareness of the options available to them
     • seek additional support where necessary

IAG Throughout the Participant Journey Stages: Pre-entry

We provide information and advice to potential participants about the full range of learning programmes, eligibility criteria for each programme, qualifications available on each programme and support available to them during their learning at Workpays. In doing this, we work with key referral agencies and youth organisations to ensure we reach potential participants in the right way.

IAG Throughout the Participant Journey stages: On Programme/Training

We provide participants with information about the requirements of the programme, ground rules, policies and procedures, their individual learning plan and support arrangements. We provide support for learning as well as pastoral support. We provide additional confidential support for those participants who need it. We help participants
overcome barriers to achievement by helping them access external support agencies when necessary.

IAG Throughout the Participant Journey stages: On exit

We provide support to participants to complete programme objectives and confidential, impartial information, advice and guidance, for them to progress to employment, further education or training through one-to-one and small group support sessions. In designing our information and advice services we are guided by the matrix standard, the Principles for Coherent Information, Advice and Guidance Delivery. Our information, advice and guidance services are available to potential and current participants.

Workpays expects the delivery of good IAG will contribute to:
     • motivated and engaged participants
     • good levels of attendance, retention, achievement and progression
     • a high level of participant satisfaction
     • a high level of employer satisfaction
     • a better understanding of the needs of the customer

Ensuring a High Standard of IAG

Workpays works with participants from a wide range of backgrounds, who often face multiple and complex barriers to education and employment. Workpays aims to ensure the provision of IAG within centres and the workplace is relevant, accurate, timely and appropriate to each participant, to maximise their chances of success and progression. To ensure this is done well, a series of processes are followed.

Recruitment and People Development

     • Any requirement to deliver IAG as part of a person’s role is defined within their job
        description
     • recruitment practices ensure relevant qualifications and experience are sought before an appointment, or offered            as a development opportunity where a candidate shows the right attributes
     • a comprehensive programme of learning and development is in place and supported by their line manager

Observations

     • The delivery of IAG is embedded throughout the entire participant journey – formal, graded IAG and Teaching and          Learning observations take place, which are all followed up by a development action plan
     • within centres, managers carry out regular checks to ensure information publicised and available is current and              appropriate

Performance and Quality Reviews

     • Formal performance and quality reviews ensure performance against agreed KPIs is regularly reviewed

Self-Assessment and Quality Improvement Planning

     • A robust self-assessment process is in place for all Workpays provision, which is mapped against the Common              Inspection Framework and DWP Provider Guidance, ensuring strengths are identified and that best practice is                shared, and areas for development are addressed through Quality Improvement Plans.

External Inspection

     • Workpays is currently accredited to the Matrix Standard – each year a Continuous Improvement Check is                           undertaken, and in 2020 Workpays will undergo a full review against the standard.

Equality and Diversity

     • Marketing literature, website information and participant/employer handbooks will be clearly and simply                          presented with appropriate illustrations/images to aid understanding
     • at any stage, participants can be accompanied to meetings and interviews by a friend, family member or another            representative
     • build and maintain effective networks and partnerships to support this function

Review Date: March 2023