Future Bright Plus Final Programme Evaluation

The Future Bright Plus (FBP) service has run since March 2021 (final referrals to the scheme were 31st Jan 2024).

The service has continued to build on the legacy of the DWP Employment Support Innovation pilot which ran from February 2018 to July 2021.

The service supports mainly low income in-work residents in the West of England Combined Authority area to increase their confidence, motivation, wellbeing, skills and incomes.

The project provides information, advice and signposting to all residents who contact the service supporting them on the road to career progression by identifying and making best use of the full range of local services available including appropriate West of England Combined Authority initiatives.

Those who are in work are eligible to receive one to one coaching, the level of service, Light Touch or Full Service, is determined by individual circumstance (www.futurebright.org.uk ).

The approach goes beyond training to identify and overcome a much wider range of barriers to career progression, tailoring support to the individual.

The pilot demonstrated the need for a programme for low-income, in-work residents in the West of England as it provides a service for demographic not otherwise supported.

The Future Bright Plus programme aimed to fill a gap in local provision with funding provided for three years from the West of England Combined Authority Investment Fund to kick-start career progression for residents.

The purpose of this evaluation is to provide rigorous evidence that demonstrates the outcomes and impacts of the programme, including long-term benefits.

The evaluation will also test whether the theory of change has functioned as expected and identify which were the most effective means of supporting individual in-work progression to inform policy in the future.

Key outcomes for Future Bright Plus: • Increase in financial independence and income. • Increased work security or flexibility • Increased awareness of support available • Increase in skills and experience • Improvement in participants' attitude (motivation, confidence and job satisfaction) • Increase in health & wellbeing • Increased understanding on how in-work progression can be best supported in the future.

Broader outcomes • Children benefiting from improvements to motivation, skills, prosperity and increased health and wellbeing of parent/ carer • Understanding this demographic • Reduction in public spend associated with benefits.