Argyll and Bute Council’s Employability Team has secured a contract, worth over £850,000, to deliver the local Fair Start Scotland contract and support long term unemployed people with disabilities and health conditions back into work.

At its meeting today, Friday, 8 December 2017, members of the council’s Policy and Resources Committee agreed that the council team in partnership with external health specialists will deliver the Fair Start Scotland contract with an indicative value of £866,150.

The contract will be delivered across Argyll and Bute on behalf of PeoplePlus for a three year period starting in April 2018.

PeoplePlus is the organisation commissioned by the Scottish Government to deliver Fair Start Scotland throughout the Highlands and Island contractual area, which includes Argyll and Bute.

Councillor Aileen Morton, Leader of Argyll and Bute Council said:

“It is the aim of the council’s Employability Team to assist long-term unemployed people into sustainable employment. The team is already successful and since April 2014 it has supported 266 people get back into work and is making a real difference to those they have helped.

“Securing the Fair Start Scotland contract will allow our Employability Team, in partnership with PeoplePlus, to continue its work in helping vulnerable people. This is extremely valuable support and testament to the hard work of the team that it has secured the contract.”

“It is pleasing that the team’s approach to supporting vulnerable people has realised cost savings elsewhere, particularly on health issues.”