About ERSA
Chair's introduction
ERSA was founded during 2005 to provide a voice for private and voluntary sector providers of publicly funded employment programmes. As the welfare to work market developed it became increasingly clear that providers needed a representative body to raise the profile of the provider network and undertake effective representation on an industry-wide basis. From the original twelve founding organisations, the Association now has a thriving membership, an achievement of which ERSA is extremely proud.
A high-performing welfare to work system is not only essential to economic prosperity but employment changes lives for the better. That is why we advocate measures that are focused on individuals and will improve employment outcomes and sustainability. It is also why we think that welfare reforms must continue during the economic downturn. ERSA contributes in consultation with our members and helps to lead policy debate by making representations, taking part in consultations, publishing policy documents and commissioning independent research projects.
Independent providers of employment related services are the Government’s welfare to work delivery partners and ERSA will continue to engage constructively with the public policy debate on welfare reform. Outcome-based commissioning, more personalised support and a more integrated welfare system place welfare to work at the cutting edge of public service reform. Success depends heavily on strong and flexible partnership working between DWP, Jobcentre Plus and providers.
ERSA contributed extensively to DWP’s Commissioning Strategy published February 2008. ERSA were very pleased to see the introduction of a Code of Conduct in this document, an idea inspired by our own Code of Business Conduct for our members.
As an Association of providers who help individuals overcome barriers to skills and employment and who work closely with employers, we are very proud our membership has signed the Skills Pledge, making the most of this unique position to link up the skills and employability agenda and help people stay and advance in work. David Lammy, then Minister of State for Skills said of this event, “We are pleased that ERSA members have signed the Skills Pledge. This public commitment shows that voluntary and private sector welfare-to-work providers are aspiring to the highest professional standards.”
This is an crucial time to be involved in delivering welfare to work support, and ERSA will be working hard on behalf of its members to meet these new challenges.
If you would like to know more about ERSA, please contact our Director, Amanda McIntyre, by emailing her at amanda.mcintyre@ersa.org.uk or by calling her on 020 7367 4538.
Rob Murdoch
Chair, ERSA
A4e
Matthew Lester
Deputy Chair, ERSA
The Papworth Trust
April 2009