A housing association’s employment support partnership has been launched in Liverpool.

Plus Dane Housing’s Jobs Plus pilot, in partnership with Transform Lives and supported by Liverpool in Work and First Person Project, is aiming to assist local residents in the Toxteth area looking for work.

Funded by the Department of Work and Pensions, it is one of 10 pilot sites in the UK taking part in the initiative, targeting areas of high unemployment.

The model for Jobs Plus has come from the USA where it has a proven record of success in increasing employment and earnings for those who take part. It uses a community development and person-led approach to supporting people into employment or into better employment opportunities.

Jobs Plus has three key components: a community hub providing a ‘one-stop-shop’ for local residents looking for work; a ‘saturation approach’ to boost engagement, by encouraging community champions to share information; and the offer of financial incentives – like in-work credit, a back-to-work bonus, or credit against rent arrears.

The project was launched by Cllr Rahima Farah at an event at the Irene Milson Resource Centre in Kelvin Grove – the community hub of the project that is owned by Plus Dane.

Ian Reed, chief executive of Plus Dane, said: “We know the value in supporting people to have a decent home and a job – these are the basic underpinning features of a good life. When one fails it has a big impact; if both fail it can be catastrophic. The important thing is to work on both simultaneously. The Jobs Plus project is really exciting and we want to be part of how this develops into more hubs like this.”

Liverpool city centre-based social enterprise Transform Lives Company will lead on the delivery of Jobs Plus.

Managing director Tracy Fishwick said: “Jobs Plus is a unique ‘one-stop-hub’ for local people, supporting anyone regardless of employment status, with jobs, careers, volunteering opportunities and training. Drop in and see us for a confidential chat.”

Supporting the delivery of the project will be Toxteth-based mental health Community Interest Company First Person Project, and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s employment support service Liverpool in Work.