Crisis SmartSkills
Between 2006 and 2009 Crisis worked with seven of its partner SmartMove projects to pilot a person-centred approach to learning and skills alongside access to the private rented sector (PRS), entitled SmartSkills.
This service was set up to enable people housed within the PRS to build their confidence and basic skills, integrate with the local community and access further training opportunities and employment where appropriate.
Evaluation
In February 2009 Crisis commissioned independent researchers to conduct an evaluation of Smartskills. The evaluation shows strong evidence that participation in the programme has greatly enhanced self-esteem and life skills for participating learners.
Smartskills has acted as an effective bridge to further learning for many "hard to reach" learners. It has been particularly valuable for people with a history of offending, substance misuse, and victims of abuse.
- Crisis SmartSkills evaluation
- Crisis SmartSkills evaluation executive summary
- Presentation of evaluation findings
Operations Manual
The SmartMove projects that piloted this new approach already provided assistance to help their clients combat the diverse range of problems that come with independent living.
SmartSkills introduced a new focus on providing an explicit ‘learning and skills' dimension to this work, within an accredited framework that provides learners with recognition of their achievements.
While working with the SmartSkills network, Crisis developed an Operations Manual and Resource Bank that may be useful statutory and voluntary agencies implementing elements of learning and skills into their work with homeless and vulnerable people.
