Annex 1: ESF 2014 – 2020: Good News Story Template and Consent Form

Living with Covid-19: Signatures on Good News Stories
As all Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted and the updated Government advice has progressed to ‘Living with Covid-19’ it is no longer appropriate for ESF-related paperwork, completed when delivering provision remotely, to contain ‘Covid-19’ in lieu of a signature from 7th May 2022. 
We are now asking that ‘Covid-19’ is replaced by ‘Remote delivery’ in the signature box for those participants who cannot be seen face to face. The ‘Covid-19’ wording will not be accepted on any Annex 1: ESF 2014 – 2020: Good News Story Template and Consent Form (Annex 1) submitted from 7th May 2022.
The Annex 1 which requires a participant’s signature, should be annotated ‘Remote delivery’ in the signature box to confirm the participant has given consent during this period and the date should be included. All case notes held on file must reflect the conversations which have taken place with participants and the information on Annex 1. Email evidence for audit should be gathered and retained to demonstrate the individual’s participation on the programme.

Alternatively, you now also have the option of using an electronic “wet” signature, obtained via an electronic signature encrypted software app which can be used to collect a signature for any ESF documents where a wet signature would normally be collected. This will allow the participants to electronically sign documents using a login and password process, where the signature can be tracked, and the document can be saved in a PDF format for audit. This will apply whether the participant is seen face to face or remote delivery is undertaken.  For more information, please see section 72 to 75.

Please note, that whilst the Department supports a blended delivery model for all ESF funded provision, this must be based on participant need and the preferred method of delivery is face to face. Our Performance Managers will continue to monitor whether remote delivery is being overly relied upon and will discuss this with you during your monthly CPR meetings. 

Your records and Part 4 of the Annex 1 should clearly state why remote delivery was the most appropriate and an email audit trail should exist to demonstrate paperwork was completed in agreement with the participant if no wet signature has been obtained. If the signature box is annotated ‘Remote delivery’ you should obtain a signature retrospectively when they are next seen in person, and such form/s retained on file, for audit. When you are delivering face to face, a wet signature must be obtained.

	

We would like to use your recent experience as an example to tell others about how European Social Fund and the Department for Work and Pensions can help them. We call this a good news story and would like to set yours out in part 4 of this form. We would then like to use your story to show how our services are helping people improve their skills and move into employment.

Before any story can be published, we need to seek your agreement to share your details. We would be grateful if you could please agree to do this and sign the consent section below in part 2.

How will my story be used?

•	We may use your case study in local, regional, and sometimes national, newspapers (also known as the press). We would like to use your photograph to accompany your case study wherever possible. Occasionally, we might want to interview you to gather more information.
•	We may also use your case study in various magazines, leaflets, newsletters or on websites.
•	We may refer to your case study on a radio station, TV or video.
•	DWP Ministers sometimes use case studies when speaking in Parliament or making speeches.

Good News Story Template and Consent Form

Part 1 – PARTICIPANT DETAILS (completed by the provider)	
Name:		
Age and Sex:
(Optional)		
Outcome:
e.g. progress made or job 		
Help through ESF:
ESF or Match funded provision 		
Provision Start Date:		

	
Part 2 – PARTICIPANT CONSENT (completed by the participant)	
I give my consent for the DWP, national, local, ESF partner organisations to use my case study for up to 12 months, in the following ways:	To use my name     (tick ü or x)	To use my photo       (tick ü or x)	
•	In newspaper articles (some articles may also appear on the newspaper’s website) 			
•	In leaflets, feature articles (magazines) or digital media, (e.g. websites), radio, video, local newsletters, exhibition stands etc.			
•	In Government Ministers’ speeches or in written reports or written reports e.g. DWP annual Reports

I would like to see any press release written about my good news story before it is sent to the media  (tick ü whichever applies)	Yes	No	
Participant signature:

	Date:	

Part 3 - TIPS FOR COMPLETEING THE GOOD NEWS STORY  	
Please describe your participant’s journey using the following criteria:

•	Name of provision and whether funded by European Social Fund or match-funded.
•	Brief participant background 
•	Route to the provider, why did they join?
•	What help did the provider provide?
•	Explain the absence of the participant’s wet signature and why remote delivery, rather than the preferred method of face to face, was the most appropriate.
•	Were there any barriers or obstacles?
•	Progress made, what impact has this had on the participant’s life?
•	Please include quotes from participant, adviser or employer?
•	Does the participant have any future plans or ambitions?

Anonymity
In exceptional circumstances we may be able to use your good news story without using your real name, for instance, if there are sensitivities around the information you have provided. However, this would greatly limit the use of your story in the general media and we may not be able to use it at all.

Part 4 – PARTICIPANT’S GOOD NEWS STORY (Completed by the provider and participant)

Please could you type the good news story in the box below

	

Part 5 – PROVIDER INFORMATION (completed by the provider)
	
Name of provider or sub-contractor:		
Provision Title:
e.g. European Social Fund (ESF)		
Has this story appeared in any other media?
e.g. local/regional newspaper, internal newsletter, any photos – please state		
Contract Package Area (CPA) where provision is being delivered:		
Name of Contact/Adviser:
(Please include phone/email details)		
Date form completed:		

Part 6 - EMPLOYER DETAILS (completed by the provider)
	
Name:		
Address:		
Type of Business:		
Employer consent to publicity
	Yes	No	Date:	
Name and Signature:	

Thank you for completing this form

Provider – Please return this form to your DWP Performance Manager and email a
 
maximum of one GNS via unencrypted email to: 

CEPESF14-20.MARKETING-PUBLICITY@DWP.GOV.UK