Pathways to Work
Pathways to Work is a national back-to-work programme available to all customers claiming incapacity benefits and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) in Great Britain.
From 28 April 2008 the programme became available to everyone receiving incapacity benefits in Great Britain. It is operated in 60 per cent of Great Britain by the private and voluntary sector and in 40 per cent by Jobcentre Plus.
Pathways to Work will end on:
- 31 March 2011 in “phase 1” areas operated by the private and voluntary sector and all areas operated by Jobcentre Plus
- 27 April 2011 in “phase 2” areas operated by the private and voluntary sector.
Jobcentre Plus support from April 2011
The Government is committed to introducing the Work Programme by summer 2011. The Work Programme will deliver comprehensive support to help longer-term benefit customers into work.
From April 2011, customers will be able to access new flexible Jobcentre Plus support. This will provide support to customers:
- until they are referred to the Work Programme, or
- as an alternative to the Work Programme, where the customer does not access the Work Programme on a mandatory or voluntary basis.
The Jobcentre Plus support will be available to customers across all working age benefits.
It will be delivered by advisers whose skills are developed to support customers according to their need rather than benefit type.
It will support those customers who are not referred to the Work Programme, and provide the referral route on to the Work Programme where relevant.
Advisers will work with those customers who receive ongoing support from Jobcentre Plus to develop an employment support journey tailored to individual need.
Jobcentre Plus advisers will also be able to refer customers to other provision such as:
- the new "Get Britain Working" measures
- externally delivered provision, for example skills support provided through Next Steps advisers and local colleges.
The full scope and shape of the Work Programme is being finalised and details will be published shortly.
- Get Britain Working – an overview of the Work Programme and other back to work measures
