What is ERSA?

ERSA is a membership association representing independent providers. ERSA members aim to ensure that all people who access publicly funded employment programmes receive first rate, individually tailored services which allow them to maximise their independence, health and economic well-being through obtaining and retaining sustained and fulfilling employment. ERSA welcomes all employment related service providers into their membership, be they from the private or voluntary sector.

ERSA aims to be the primary point of contact for government and other stakeholders over issues affecting the sector. Government has a responsibility to achieve value for money in pursuing its policy objectives of increasing employment and tackling social exclusion and ERSA will work in partnership to build a high-performing, efficient welfare to work system. In order to achieve this we will:
1) Build relationships with policy-makers across all relevant government departments. As ERSA is a politically neutral organisation, we will also undertake to build relationships on a cross-party basis.
2) Participate in all opportunities for relevant consultations and public debate.
3) Offer constructive criticism and engage in dialogue in a spirit of co-operation.

ERSA believes that the contested welfare to work market should be transparent, fair and competitive. This will encourage professional standards and high performance among providers. Whilst recognising the significant public investment to date, Jobcentre Plus should no longer act as both a commissioner and provider of employment services. A timetable should be set for it to focus on its commissioning functions as a public service gateway.

ERSA believes that members’ contracts with government should focus on purchasing outcomes rather than processes as has hitherto been the case. This will encourage sustained outcomes and reward high-performers. Programmes must be tailored to the individual so that those with more complex needs are able to receive appropriate support to help them into work. This requires a simplification of the range of programmes available alongside an increase in the flexibilities of each programme.

ERSA will provide a non-competitive and inclusive forum for discussion. Members therefore agree to provide ERSA with a company profile to be shared among all members. All appropriate information that ERSA obtains will be circulated to all members unless there are specific reasons why it cannot, such as the requirements of the Data Protection Act. This ensures that every member is equal in the sharing and distribution of information. Regular meetings will be held so that all members have a chance to raise issues they believe to be important.

ERSA will work to raise the profile of the industry in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the private and voluntary sector in delivering employment related services. ERSA will engage in partnership working with other relevant representative bodies where appropriate to strengthen the message and reach a wider audience.

ERSA endeavours to be a credible organisation with a robust case in support of its position. ERSA will therefore commission independent research where necessary to provide it with evidence-based policy positions. ERSA strives to achieve consensus across its membership without compromising its message and independent research will contribute to this.