From: Claire Mitchell
Sent: 15 November 2006 09:51
To: Karen Barford
Subject: FW: EE Forum: Argus Story on OEEG



-----Original Message-----
From: Maureen.Pasmore@brighton-hove.gov.uk [mailto:Maureen.Pasmore@brighton-hove.gov.uk]
Sent: 14 November 2006 12:10
To: Claire Mitchell
Cc: Terry.Roy@Brighton-Hove.gov.uk; Elizabeth.Cameron@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Subject: Re: EE Forum: Argus Story on OEEG

Claire

I recognise the good work that the OEEG is doing in both pulling ogether providers across the city, working with employers to identify potential employment opportunities and providing focused training on key areas of employment support.

I know that you are really pleased about the article in today's Argus and it does give good publicity for the work that you do and the area of CSR in general. However I am quite concerned about much of the content in the article -

-  how it presents service users of Equal Brighton & Hove as 'Marginalised people' who have 'made their homes' in Brighton & Hove and been 'pushed to the sidelines' and how they should be helped as part of a 'try before you buy' scheme.

- how it presents local employers [generalised] as looking for quick fixes, paying low wages and not understanding their own market

- also the comment about knowing best bars and restaurants has potential racist undertones

These concerns come on top of the issues raised by me and my team about the legality of some of the work placements that have been promoted through you potentially putting employers and service users at risk of prosecution  if they are followed through. Also the argument between us on your requirement to harmonise our work practice with yours on Health & Safety.

I do understand that the press can misrepresent  the words used in interviews and this may have happened in this case but I cannot support the ongoing promotion of the people we are delivering services to in terms of "giving local people a chance to turn their lives around so that they can be positively contributing to our society" [ My italics] Quote taken from your "Equal Employer Engagement Presentation on why your city needs you"
presentation

I am more than happy to meet with you to discuss your marketing style.

I have copied this to Terry as it may be that this is the officially sanctioned view of EBH in which case my concerns would need to be raised directly with the project team.

regards

Maureen Pasmore
Service Manager
Supported Employment Team
Brighton & Hove City Council
Castleham Hove
Knoll Business Centre
Old Shoreham Road
Hove
BN3 7GS
Tel: 01273 296090
maureen.pasmore@brighton-hove.gov.uk
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