02 October 2008 – Publication of DWP research report 525 – Pathways to Work for new and repeat Incapacity Benefits claimants: evaluation synthesis report
This new report published today by the Department for Work and Pensions summarises existing evidence from the evaluation of Pathways to Work for new and repeat incapacity benefits (IB) claimants in the original seven pilot areas.
This report by Richard Dorsett, National Institute of Economic and Social Research, synthesises the results of 13 previously published reports and provides a useful and positive summary of the progress on Pathways to Work so far.
Key findings include:
Impact
- 18 months after an IB enquiry, Pathways was found to increase the employment rate by 7 percentage points and the IB exit rate by 1.5 percentage points. Larger effects on benefit exit were observed earlier; peaking at 6 percentage points 5 months after the start of the claim.
- Pathways is a cost-effective programme with net measured benefits for individual and society.
- There was variation in employment outcomes between different groups – with greater effects for women, people under 50, those without mental health conditions and those with children.
- Pathways was found to reduce the severity of health limitations – those reporting being limited ‘a great deal’ was reduced by 11 percentage points.
Delivery
- The relationship between customer and IB Personal Adviser (IBPA) is central to the delivery of Pathways. Continuity in this is beneficial to gaining trust and establishing rapport.
- Most customers accepted the need to attend the first work focused interview (WFI) and this provided an opportunity for reassurance that the purpose was not to push them into work, but to provide information and assistance. Those interested in work particularly valued subsequent WFIs.
- IBPAs felt sanctions improved attendance, but not engagement.
- A quarter of customers participated in one or more of the Choices elements. The most common was New Deal for Disabled People (10%). The take up rate for the Condition Management Programme was 4%. Take up of Return to Work Credit was high amongst those eligible (74%).
- Over time, IBPAs gained confidence in and knowledge of Pathways and referrals to the Choices elements increased as a result. Relationships between the IBPA and providers are central here.
Notes to editors
- The DWP research report: Pathways to Work for new and repeat incapacity benefits claimants: evaluation synthesis report is published today on DWP website.
- Pathways to Work provides extra help for people on incapacity benefits to find work.
- This report was produced by Richard Dorsett from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research and draws upon previously published qualitative and quantitative research conducted by the Pathways to Work evaluation consortium on behalf of the DWP. Members of the consortium are as follows: the Policy Studies Institute, the Institute for Fiscal Studies, Mathematica Policy Research, the National Centre for Social Research, the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, the Social Policy Research Unit, University of York and David Greenberg from the University of Maryland.
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Website: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/rrs2008.asp
Prepared by: Department for Work and Pensions welfare to work directorate
