Employment scheme generates '£4 for every £1 spent'

A study by Pro Bono Economics estimated the value of benefits of the St Giles Trust's Choices project, in terms of employment and related reductions in re-offending, to be around £851,000 in 2014.

?It estimated the overall benefit of the programme to be £1.58m. According to the research, the figures result in savings of between £3.50 and £4 to the public purse for every £1 spent on delivering employment support through the programme.?

The initiative, which launched across London, Cardiff and Leeds in 2014 following a small pilot in the capital, was set up to provide disadvantaged 16- to 24-year-olds with targeted support with issues including homelessness, leaving care, family breakdown and having a history of offending.

?It provides advice and support through one-to-one and group work sessions, helping disadvantaged young people to stay motivated and find a work placement, training course, apprenticeship or job.?

Researchers found that, in total, 1,132 young people were supported in 2014, with 543 achieving at least one outcome such as starting a new job or entering training. Overall, there were 907 successful outcomes in employment, education or vocational training.??

Rob Owen, chief executive of St Giles Trust, said: "This evaluation proves once more that prevention is better - and cheaper - than cure.

??"Young people deserve to have the opportunity to make full use of their potential and feel like society has invested in them. ??

"Those suffering barriers and disadvantage often slip through the net. But given the right help we can prevent their problems escalating and save costs further down the line."

Julia Grant, chief executive of Pro Bono Economics, added: "We all know there are tough times ahead - only last month 4Children closed down, a £30m charity with 45,000 children in its care. ??

"So the need for charities like St Giles Trust to use data and evidence to drive their own hard choices has never been more real."