09 December 2009 – Publication of DWP research reports 619, 620 and 621: Evaluation of Access to Work (Core Evaluation, Individual Budgets pilot, and Ministerial Government Departments)

Three new reports published today by the Department for Work and Pensions present the findings from qualitative research to evaluate Access to Work.  The studies were conducted by the Institute for Employment Studies and involved qualitative interviews with Access to Work customers and a range of stakeholders. 

The evaluation has three elements:

• an overall evaluation of Access to Work (AtW) – the core evaluation;
• the inclusion of AtW within Individual Budget pilot areas; and
• an exploration of the effects of the decision that Ministerial Government Departments (MGD) should pay for their AtW adjustments.

Key findings from the three reports are as follows:

Core Evaluation (Research Report 619)

• Customers found out about AtW from a number of sources but in no systematic way. Awareness was low amongst employers and patchy amongst Jobcentre Plus staff.
• There were high levels of support for the AtW application process and high levels of satisfaction with the assessment process, Business Centres and staff.
• Customers received a broad range of support from AtW and customers and employers were happy with the amount and quality of support overall.
• Customers and employers reported a number of positive impacts related to AtW including: reduced levels of sickness and absenteeism, provision of a level playing field, saving customers work-related expense, increased well-being and productivity, and improved staff retention.

Individual Budgets Pilot Strand (Research Report 620)

• Individual Budgets (IBs) were viewed in a positive light by all staff.
• Take up of AtW alongside IBs was extremely low. Within this study, it was not possible to interview anyone who had received both AtW and an IB, and so it was not possible to explore this from a service-user perspective. It also appeared that AtW may not fit particularly well with IBs as service-users were not at the stage of finding work.
• There was limited staff recall of the employment materials, but on reminding views were positive and easy-read versions were preferred, and service-users found the material interesting and useful.
• There had been little impact as a result of the employment option, aside from some awareness-raising amongst staff on some of the employment support programmes on offer for service-users. However, this was seen, in principle, to be a positive step towards providing more information and greater choice to service-users, and in promoting independence.

Ministerial Government Departments Strand (Research Report 621)

• Most staff reported receiving notification from DWP about the transfer.
• There were no reports of anyone who had received AtW support prior to the changes losing that support, although at times this support was self funded while MGDs adapted their funding systems.
• MGDs continue to offer the same types of in-work support as AtW and many offer additional support to disabled staff.
• The transfer of funding responsibility for administering and funding in-work support to MGDs was perceived by many of the key actors involved to have been managed poorly.
• All stakeholders expressed concerns over funding from MGD budgets in the current operating climate.

Notes to Editors

1. The Access to Work programme has been operating in Great Britain since 1994, and is designed for people with long-term health conditions or impairments who need extra practical support to take up work or to do their job.  The types of support provided includes: special aids and equipment; adaptations to premises and equipment; travel to work grants; support workers; and communicator support at interview.
2. DWP research report 619: Evaluation of Access to Work: Core Evaluation is published today on the DWP website.  The report authors are Sara Dewson, Darcy Hill, Nigel Meager and Rebecca Willison.  The report is based on qualitative interviews with Access to Work customers, employers, Jobcentre Plus and Department for Work and Pensions staff.
3. DWP research report 620: Evaluation of Access to Work: Individual Budgets Pilot Strand is published today on the DWP website.  The report was written by Jane Aston.  The report is based on qualitative interviews with Individual Budget staff, Jobcentre Plus staff and service users.
4. DWP research report 621: Evaluation of Access to Work: Ministerial Government Departments is published today on the DWP website.  The report authors are Sara Dewson, Harriet Fearn and Ceri Williams.  The report is based on qualitative interviews with HR managers, Trade Union representatives, disabled employees and their line managers.
5. All strands of this evaluation were carried out by the Institute for Employment Studies (IES).

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