05 March 2009 – Publication of DWP research report 566: exploring a distance travelled approach to workstep development planning
New research published today by the Department for Work and Pensions explores the development and piloting of a Distance Travelled approach to WORKSTEP development planning.
The report presents the findings of the development stages of the Distance Travelled tool approach. This included a literature review and analysis of projects monitoring distance travelled, ongoing review and input of an expert panel, 30 semi-structured qualitative interviews with a range of stakeholders, and input of 4 workshops with representatives of over 80 provider organisations. The report then presents the findings of the piloting of the approach with 10 WORKSTEP providers working with 529 customers between April 2007 and September 2008.
The main findings are:
- The approach contributes to the delivery of a high quality service. The approach offers:
- significant improvement in customer development planning process
- a more professional approach to development planning and reviews
- an opportunity to standardise and develop provider staff working practices
- the facilitation of a greater degree of customer engagement with the programme
- an opportunity to motivate customers
- an opportunity for staff to re-focus on the progression aims of the programme
- a method to clearly demonstrate when customers are ready to progress to open employment
- a supportive process to facilitate customer progression.
- The development of the approach via consultation and involvement of staff who would be using the approach was a key success factor.
- The key concepts of the developed approach: Key behaviours with associated typical indicators; clearly defined monitoring categories and an evidence based approach, are key components of a distance travelled approach.
Notes to Editors
- The research is based on the evaluation conducted by Northumbria University. The developmental stage of the approach ran from June 2006 to March 2007. The piloting and review of the approach ran from April 2007 to September 2008.
- Research Report 566 – Exploring a Distance Travelled approach to WORKSTEP development planning is published on 5th March 2009. The report is available on the DWP website
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