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Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Answer

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps the South Sefton Partnership have taken to improve access to (a) job and training opportunities and (b) affordable childcare. [128878] Yvette Cooper: This is one of South Sefton Partnership's four key objectives. The Partnership has recently prepared a small booklet "South Sefton Partnership--The Story So Far" which aims to illustrate steps taken to date on these four key objectives. The steps taken in respect of this objective are as follows: Establishing an Intermediate Labour Market scheme to act as a `bridge' back to work for long-term unemployed residents. Developing the Sefton@Work project which will help unemployed South Sefton residents gain access to jobs and training through advice, guidance and placement services and encouraging local firms to recruit local people. Improving educational opportunities for South Sefton residents through an adult community learning programme in local schools. Helping 12 local people to find work as teacher's assistants within South Sefton Education Action Zone schools. Supporting the Bootle-based Independence Initiative which helps ex- substance abusers to access training and work. Funding the Seaforth Older Children's Service (SOCS) which provides childcare in school holidays allowing local people to retain jobs that might otherwise be at risk. Providing laptop computers for looked-after children in the area to help to improve their hitherto below-average levels of success in GCSE exams. Supporting Sefton council's IMPACT project which provides vocational experiences for pupils who find traditional school subjects are not for them.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

128878; 410 c745-6W;410 c743-4W

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Childcare Employment Training Sefton

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk