Independent assessment confirms Palladium’s Restart and Refugee Employability Programme deliver gold‑standard information, advice, and guidance for jobseekers and refugees across South‑East England.

A Vote of Confidence

When an independent assessor visited Palladium International in late April 2025, the brief was simple: measure our employability services against the matrix Standard, the UK Department for Education’s quality benchmark for information, advice, and guidance (IAG). After three days of intensive interviews with 26 staff, 32 participants, and six delivery partners, and a deep dive into policies and performance data, the verdict was clear. Palladium met every criterion, securing accreditation until 2028.

“Achieving the matrix Standard is not just recognition for the exceptional work of this team; it is proof that person‑centred guidance changes lives when paired with rigorous systems and authentic partnerships,” says Duncan Edwards, Quality and Compliance Manager at Palladium.

What is the matrix Standard?

First introduced in 2002, the matrix Standard is the UK government’s hallmark of quality for any organisation that offers IAG to help people move into learning or work. Accreditation means an external expert has verified that clients receive impartial, well‑structured guidance that leads to positive, sustained outcomes. Only a small proportion of employability providers hold the award.

Tailored Support, Tangible Results

The assessment focused on two flagship contracts: Restart, supporting people who have been out of work for at least nine months, and the Refugee Employability Programme (REP). Both are operated by Palladium across the Southeast of England and share a single promise: treat every participant as an individual whose ambitions can be realised with the right mix of advice, skills, and employer engagement.

Key takeaway figures:

• 1,911 long‑term unemployed residents have moved into work through Restart since July 2021.
• Refugee participants secured roles in retail (27 per cent), construction (17 per cent), and catering (11 per cent).
• 50 per cent of REP advisers are former refugees, ensuring cultural fluency and lived experience at the heart of delivery.

Behind each statistic sits a web of support: ESOL classes, housing and wellbeing referrals, CV workshops, job‑fair collaborations, and post‑placement mentoring that continues for up to twelve months.

Inside the Assessment

Assessors highlighted four strengths in particular:

• Exemplary, person‑centred IAG—advisers use robust diagnostics and tracking dashboards to personalise action plans from day one to sustained employment.
• Inclusive culture—a values‑driven workplace aligned with the UN Global Compact fosters flexible working, staff wellbeing, and culturally sensitive services.
• Powerful partnerships—local employers, charities, and skills providers co‑design interventions ranging from sector‑based academies to digital‑skills bootcamps.
• Relentless quality improvement—the “What Does Good Look Like” framework, live KPI dashboards, and comprehensive continuous professional development keep delivery sharp.

The report’s development suggestions were minor: reference IAG more explicitly in business planning and showcase staff stories to external audiences. Both actions are already under way.

Committed to Going Further

“We never view accreditation as the finish line,” notes Bostock. “The assessor’s feedback will inform the next evolution of our services, because every individual deserves the opportunity to build a sustainable career, not just a short‑term job.”

Annual improvement checks will track progress, and an internal working group is embedding lessons learned across Palladium’s wider employability portfolio, e.g. specialist employment support programmes for young people and people with criminal convictions.

A Global Mission, A Local Impact

Palladium’s employability work in the UK is part of a broader mission to create positive social and economic impact worldwide. Whether restoring peatlands in Scotland or advising cocoa farmers in Peru, the common thread is enabling people and communities to realise their potential through meaningful, sustainable livelihoods.

“As proud as we are of this endorsement, it is really about what happens next,” Bostock reflects. “Over the coming three years we will refine our approach, share best practice across the sector, and ensure that every participant, whether a lifelong resident or a newly arrived refugee, can thrive in work and in life. That is the standard we set for ourselves.”