Skills East Sussex Minutes 29 April 2025
Skills East Sussex Minutes 29 April 2025
Meeting details
Skills East Sussex Board Meeting
Tuesday 29 April 2025 2.00pm-4.30pm
Online via Teams
Attendees and apologies
|
Attendee |
Name |
Organisation, Role |
|
DGarn |
Diana Garnham |
Skills East Sussex Board CHAIR |
|
AMe |
Anna Merla |
ESCC, Consultant in Public Health |
|
AP |
Andrew Pritchard |
Bexhill College, Assistant Principal |
|
AS |
Ashley Scarff |
NHS Sussex |
|
BC |
Bruce Campbell |
DWP |
|
CW |
Claire Witz |
Sussex Chamber Skills Lead - LSIP |
|
CllrCa |
Cllr Penny di Cara |
ESCC Councillor, Lead Member for Economy |
|
DH |
Donna Harfield |
East Sussex College Group, Vice Principal, Business Development |
|
GT |
Geraldine Turton |
University of Sussex, Head of Apprenticeships |
|
IN |
Ian Noble |
Uckfield Chamber of Commerce, Chamber Director |
|
JH |
James Harris |
ESCC, Assistant Director - Economy |
|
JD |
Jude Day |
SCDA, Employability Programme Manager |
|
KB |
Kim Byford |
Talent Accelerator, Project Director / Co-Chair Creative, Cultural, Digital, Media Task Group |
|
LD |
Lisa Devine |
Programme Manager, WorkWell Programme Health Innovation |
|
PS |
Pauline Smith |
CXK, Chief Executive |
|
PSh |
Penny Shimmin |
SCDA, Chief Executive |
|
SW |
Sarah Williams |
Director, Sussex Learning Network |
|
VP |
Vanessa Potter |
SCTP, Director |
|
VC |
Victoria Conheady |
Hastings Borough Council, Deputy Chief Executive |
|
Apologies |
||
|
Becky Shaw |
ESCC, Chief Executive |
|
|
Cllr Bob Standley |
ESCC Councillor, Lead Member for Education and Inclusion and SEND |
|
|
Cllr Julia Hilton |
Leader of Hastings Borough Council |
|
|
Christina Ewbank |
Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce, Chief Executive Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce |
|
|
Dan Karlsson |
Plumpton College, Head of Business Services |
|
|
Rebecca Conroy |
East Sussex College Group, Principal |
|
|
Sally Staples |
ESCC Culture Team, Team Manager – Culture and Tourism / Co-Chair Creative, Cultural, Digital, media Task Group |
|
Secretariat |
||
|
CB |
Caroline Bragg |
Employability and Skills Strategy Manager, ESCC |
|
HA |
Holly Aquilina |
Employability and Skills Strategy Manager, ESCC |
|
HB |
Hannah Brookshaw |
Partnerships and Projects Manager, ESCC |
|
AM |
Amy Morris |
Partnerships and Projects Officer, ESCC |
Actions arising from this meeting
Actions from this meeting, 29 April 2025
|
ACTION |
LEAD |
DUE BY / STATUS |
|
Action: Creation of a visual map demonstrating employability programmes in East Sussex and how they connect. (CARRY FORWARD)
|
Secretariat /SLN |
June 2025 |
|
Action 1: Share any map/visual of current programmes and support for getting people into work with HA |
ALL |
June 2025 |
|
Action 2: HA to arrange a meeting with SW (SLN) to discuss mapping project. |
HA |
June 2025 |
|
Action 3: Share any additional data sources that could be valuable for the Get Sussex Working Plan with skillseastsussex@eastsussex.gov.uk .
|
ALL |
End May 2025 |
|
Action 4: A poll will be sent to members on options for the revised name for the board to include Employment. The new name will be launched at the ten-year celebration event in June.
|
Secretariat |
Votes cast by 21 June |
|
Action 5: SES Bored members to contact Lisa Devine lisa.devine5@nhs.net if they wish to contribute to consultation discussions for WorkWell Programme. |
ALL |
June 2025 |
|
Action 6: –Share the Youth Employment Service data with AMe and LS
|
CXK |
ASAP |
|
Action 7: HB and AM to share 1066 Engineering after-school club report with CllrCa following project completion in July 2025.
|
HB/AM |
August 2025 |
|
Action 8: – DGarn to explore funding opportunities for after-school clubs and share with HB |
DGarn |
June 2025 |
1. Welcome, Introductions and Apologies
1.1. DGarn welcomed everyone to the meeting.
1.2. Apologies noted.
1.3. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
1.4. Mapping Update: Holly provided an update on the visual mapping project discussed in the last meeting, mentioning that Sussex Learning Network is working on it with a deadline of June. HA mentioned that although many organisations had said at the previous meetings that they had developed versions of similar maps, she had not received any contributions yet and encouraged members to send any relevant materials.
Action 1: Share any map/visual of current programmes and support for getting people into work with HA.
Action 2: – HA to arrange a meeting with SW to discuss SLN progress on map creation.
2. 2. Devolution Update
2.1 JH explained the current proposal to create a mayoral combined authority for Sussex, which would include East Sussex, West Sussex, and Brighton and Hove. The authority would be overseen by an appointed mayor and would manage devolved funds, including in relation to skills and employment.
2.2 JH clarified that despite the term ‘combined authority’, the shape of the MCCA was not yet determined – for example it could be a series of committees overseeing the allocation and spending of funds, with a small staffing structure operating at a strategic level or it could be a more comprehensively staffed model
2.3 JH advocated the opportunities of having greater control over funding with longer-term security, allowing the commissioning of local programmes tailored to the needs of the Sussex economy. He highlighted the potential benefits of managing the Adult Skills Fund centrally and other strategic initiatives.
2.4 JH mentioned that the government had conducted a consultation, which ended on April 13th, and would decide whether to proceed with the combined authority. If approved, mayoral elections could take place next year, with the authority operating in shadow for a year before becoming fully operational.
2.5 JH also discussed the parallel proposal to remove the two-tier local authority system in East Sussex, potentially creating a single unitary authority. He noted the efficiencies and planning improvements this could bring.
2.6 DGarn asked what happens to education in the new unitary or combined authority structure? JH: Education responsibilities would largely remain unchanged, with local education authorities retaining their roles. HA: post-16 provision and careers hubs have been identified as being a strategic function of the MCA level. CB: It is likely that the statutory duty for post-16 education would still sit with local authorities, with strategic links to the MCCA.
2.7 IN: Are we a pilot area for devolution? JH: Sussex is one of the early adopters, fast-tracked by the government.
2.8 DH: How will the changes impact our curriculum planning for Adult Skills Fund this year? JH: The next cycle will likely proceed as usual, with a transition period before any significant changes come into force.
2.9 HA: Skills Bootcamps and other funding will transition to the MCA once established. Careers Hubs could potentially sit at the MCA level also. This would involve collaboration between the MCA and local authorities to ensure effective delivery.
3. Get East Sussex Working Plan: Overview, Timeline and Stakeholder consultation process.
3.1 HA and CB presented the Get Sussex Working Plan, explaining its purpose, the partnership approach, and the timeline for developing the plan, including stakeholder consultation and data mapping.
3.2 HA and CB explained that the Get Sussex Working Plan aims to address barriers to employment and improve employability in the county. The plan will set high-level priorities and specific KPIs to achieve the government's target of 80% employment by 2035.
3.3 The plan will be developed in partnership with various stakeholders, including Skills East Sussex, the ICB, DWP, local authorities, and the voluntary sector. This collaborative approach aims to ensure comprehensive input and effective implementation.
3.4 The timeline for developing the plan includes data mapping and stakeholder consultation in May, setting Sussex-wide high-level priorities and KPIs by the end of June, and finalising the local implementation plans for each Local Authority by September. The plan will be reviewed and updated regularly to adapt to changing needs and circumstances.
3.5 HA and CB emphasised the importance of data mapping to understand the current employment and provision landscape in the county. This will involve analysing various data sources and conducting stakeholder consultations to identify gaps and opportunities.
3.6 Stakeholder consultation will involve engaging with task groups, working groups, and local employability providers to gather input and feedback. This process will ensure that the plan reflects the needs and priorities of the local community. CB emphasised the importance of input from Skills East Sussex and other stakeholders, as well as the need for additional data sources to inform the Get Sussex Working Plan. This input will help identify priorities and inform the local implementation plans.
3.7 HA cited various data sources that will be used for the data mapping exercise, including the Sussex Improvement Plan data, public health joint needs assessment data, DWP sources, local authority data, and ONS surveys. She encouraged stakeholders to suggest additional data sources that could be valuable.
Action 3: – Share any additional data sources that could be valuable for the Get Sussex Working Plan with skillseastsussex@eastsussex.gov.uk .
3.8 PS highlighted the importance of incorporating user voice and case studies into the Get Sussex Working Plan, mentioning the Youth Employment Service and National Career Service data as valuable sources of information on the challenges faced by young people and adults in accessing employment. PS also highlighted the research conducted in Hastings, led by young people, which provides valuable insights into the barriers to employment for young people.
3.9 DH Offered data tools and student board consultations from the college.
3.10 JD raised concerns about changes to benefits and the impact of AI in recruitment. HA acknowledged the need to address both of these issues in the plan.
3.11 PS Highlighted the need to clearly identify that SES has a large responsibility for employability alongside skills provision. DGarn suggested that a name change for the SES Board is needed to better reflect the increased emphasis on employment so that externally this wider remit is understood better. this. DGarn suggested a poll should be sent to members ahead of the June board meeting to vote on adopting a revised name. The SES Board agreed that a name change was needed and approved the proposal for a vote.
4. Integrated Care Board: Employment and skills links and community networks
4.1 AS provided an overview of the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and its role in the integrated care system, emphasising the shift from illness to prevention and the importance of addressing wider determinants of health. The ICB manages healthcare services and budgets for hospital, primary care, and dental services, and focuses on three strategic shifts: hospital to community-based care, illness to prevention, and analogue to digital systems. Addressing wider determinants of health involves improving employment, housing, education, nutrition, and exercise to enhance overall well-being and reduce reactive health interventions. Presentation attached with the minutes.
4.2 DGarn asked about the impact of the ICB's work on local employment. AS Emphasised the ICB's commitment to supporting local employment through health initiatives and partnerships. AS also mentioned, the forthcoming cuts to the ICB (approximately 50% cuts anticipated) and said that this is likely to have a bearing on the ICBs ability to support non-statutory areas of work in the longer run.
5. Local ICB-led employability pilot initiatives.
5.1 LD provided an update on the WorkWell research initiative. This initiative is part of the broader government plans to support people in starting, staying in, and succeeding in work, specifically focusing on those with health-related barriers. It is a joint initiative by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department of Health and Social Care.
The local initiative focuses on providing holistic support through local systems, with NHS Sussex commissioning a discovery piece to explore this. WorkWell began last year, with 15 sites across the country receiving large grants to become pilot WorkWell areas. Sussex, although not a vanguard site, received a small pot of money to support a discovery phase.
Key initial findings of the discovery phase have highlighted challenges such as deprivation, job availability, and the need for better coordination among support services. The project aims to identify gaps and overlaps in provision, improve referral pathways, and explore digital aspects. The next steps include thematic analysis, report generation, and forming task and finish groups to pilot and implement the findings.
The project is expected to move into the pilot planning phase by the end of May, with implementation and evaluation continuing into the next year. Unity Insights will support the evaluation process to understand key performance indicators (KPIs) and what constitutes success in the long term. Presentation attached with the minutes.
Coastal Navigators Network
5.2 AMe provided an update on a pilot project run by the Coastal Navigators Network (CNN). The CNN resulted from the Chief Medical Officer's report on health in coastal communities, highlighting the need for collaboration between NHS England and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in coastal areas. Initially involving six ICBs, the programme has expanded to include more coastal towns with high deprivation indices.
The CNN aims to address health inequalities in coastal areas, which face unique challenges such as limited opportunities, connectivity issues, and access to services like healthcare, housing, education, and employment. Coastal towns often have higher proportions of retirees and people with complex conditions, leading to increased demand for healthcare and support services. Economic inactivity is prevalent, particularly among younger and older age groups, and issues like poor affordable housing and seasonal employment further exacerbate the situation.
The pilot project in Bexhill focuses on tackling housing insecurity through employment. The economic inactivity and unemployment rates in Bexhill are similar to national figures, with significant portions of the population economically inactive due to long-term sickness or disabilities. The project involves a rapid review of literature to understand the impact of unemployment on health and vice versa, as well as the dynamics around homelessness and health.
Key findings include the need for innovative programmes to address siloed work styles, a joined-up referral system for employment and healthcare support, and improved information and data sharing. The intervention aims to provide holistic pathways for support, addressing factors that put people at risk of homelessness and highlighting the return on investment by measuring the costs of inaction.
The project aims to scale successful interventions such as the ESCC Moving on Up initiative to other coastal areas facing similar challenges. Hyperlocal approaches, learning from successful models in other coastal areas, and engaging with stakeholders to identify gaps and challenges.
5.3 DGarn highlighted the connection between the presentation and the Get Sussex Working Plan. Asked LD to expand on the challenges faced by small employers in supporting employees without HR departments, especially in coastal and rural areas. LD explained that these are early findings and emphasised the importance of local groups deciding where to focus efforts. Bigger organisations often have better support systems, whereas smaller ones face challenges, leading to communication breakdowns and employees falling out of work.
5.4 PS expressed concern about the overwhelming amount of activity and initiatives underway, suggesting a need to simplify and focus on a few key priorities to avoid confusion and ensure effective implementation. CB agreed, stating that the "Get Sussex Working Plan aims to identify and consolidate various strands of work to avoid confusion and ensure focused efforts.
5.5 HA asked if more SES voices could be included in the consultation discussions for the Bexhill and Hastings pilots LD encouraged anyone interested to get in touch. The CNN report is just a starting point and will be worked on by local groups.
Action 5: SES Bored members to contact Lisa Devine lisa.devine5@nhs.net if they wish to contribute to consultation discussions for WorkWell Programme.
5.6 AMe highlighted the importance of including the experiences of people with mental health issues, particularly young people who prefer entrepreneurial routes over formal work environments.
5.7 CB flagged the Connected Futures work to LD and AMe - led by CXK, with ESCC and Hastings Borough Council as partners, with young people leading research into barriers to employment.
Action 6: Share the Youth Employment Service data with AMe and LS
6. LSIP and DWP update
LSIP
6.1 CW updated that the LSIP are continuing work on the annual Progress report, which needs to be submitted to the Department for Education (DfE) by May 23rd for sign-off. The final update report, including data analysis and key sector deep dives, is due by the end of June. This information will be available on the Future Skills Sussex website, and communications will be sent out accordingly.
There are planning activities for employer engagement over the summer and an employer conference for Sussex, tentatively scheduled for the end of September. The LSIP are also preparing for the next phase of LCIPS in October 2025, which involves new guidance from the DfE for total refreshes of LSIPs. This will require close collaboration with local authorities across Sussex.
6.2 JH raised concerns about potential confusion for employers due to multiple bodies working on areas related to employment and skills. He emphasised the importance of demonstrating a united front and that we need to build on what exists and not duplicate in order to avoid confusion JH referenced the construction event and the employer engagement event as examples, CW agreed and advised this had been discussed at a recent LSIP planning day to address these issues. She said that the LSIP will organise a session to help stakeholders understand the different collaborative efforts in different parts of the County and that partners would be invited to present about their work.
DWP
6.3 BC highlighted the ongoing process of transitioning people from older legacy benefits to Universal Credit, emphasising the importance of providing access to more employment opportunities. The Get Sussex Working Plan is a significant initiative, aiming to consolidate relevant information and efforts to improve employment in Sussex. BC acknowledged the excellent presentations and updates provided during the meeting and reiterated the DWP's commitment to supporting local projects, particularly those in Hastings.
7. Task Group Updates – Looking forward.
7.1 HB provided updates on the six SES priorities. Highlights included the rollout of Connect to Work and Skills Bootcamps. A tutor encounters event for the Visitor Economy and hospitality sector, and the Digital Accelerator programme aimed at preparing young people for tech and digital careers. HB also discussed the development of the East Sussex Retrofit Skills Plan. Additionally, the presentation outlined the actions coming out of the SES Task Groups. Presentation attached with the minutes.
7.2 CllrCa requested more information on the engineering after-school clubs, including numbers taking part. HB agreed to provide detailed evaluation reports and updates following the project conclusion in July.
Action 7: HB and AM to share 1066 Engineering after-school club report with CllrCa following project completion in July 2025.
7.3 DGarn highlighted that there are various funding sources for after-school clubs, and it would be good to see more being held in East Sussex. DGarn investigate STEM funding options from previous work.
Action 8: DGarn to explore funding opportunities for after-school clubs and share with HB.
7.4 HA pointed out the challenge of securing funding to continue and expand these clubs. DGarn noted that clubs are more effective than speakers in raising awareness about careers in engineering and construction, particularly for younger students and girls.
7.5 CB noted the Digital Accelerator Project, which links young people with employers to build products and compete with others across the county. This project is research-based and aims to share results and impacts on young people's career pathways.
7.6 CllrCa suggested exploring sponsorship opportunities from employers who have a vested interest in young people's development.
8. Forward Plan & AOB
8.1 DGarn congratulated DH on East Sussex College Groups ‘Good’ Ofsted grading. DH thanked the board for their contribution and support which was reflected in the ‘Strong’ for skills.
8.2 The next meeting is on June 26th, which will be a face-to-face celebration of the Ten-year anniversary of Skills East Sussex, and a review of priorities and strategy.
Next meeting: Thursday 26th June 1.00pm-4.00pm. Face-to-face – East Sussex National Hotel, Uckfield TN22 5ES