23 February 2010 – Publication of DWP research report 627: Pathways to Work: The experiences of new and repeat customers in Jobcentre Plus expansion areas
This report presents findings from a survey of new and repeat incapacity benefits customers in the Jobcentre Plus led Pathways to Work ‘expansion areas’.
The report provides a useful comparator to an earlier survey of new and repeat incapacity benefits customers in the Jobcentre Plus Pathways to Work pilot areas. The study was led by the National Centre for Social Research.
Main findings
Whilst the demographic profiles and Pathways experiences of JCP expansion areas customers are similar to those in pilot areas:
- They live in more deprived areas – 53 per cent of expansion areas customers lived in the most deprived fifth of areas, compared to 36 per cent of pilot areas customers;
- They were generally in worse health – 76 per cent compared to 70 per cent had a health condition / disability at the survey interview, and they were more likely to be affected a great deal by their condition (44 per cent compared to 33 per cent);
- They were less likely to be in work – 26 per cent of expansion areas customers were working at 13 months after participating in Pathways compared to 35 per cent of pilot areas customers.
Expansion areas customers made similar assessments to pilot areas customers of the Pathways programme – 92 per cent reported that their personal adviser listened ‘very well’ or ‘fairly well’ (compared to 87 per cent). The rates of participation in Choices services were also similar – 24 per cent compared to 23 per cent took part in a Choices service.
Notes to Editors:
- The DWP research report: Pathways to Work: The experiences of new and repeat customers in Jobcentre Plus expansion areas is published today on the DWP website.
- The report authors are Oliver Hayllar, Tanja Sejersen and Martin Wood of the National Centre for Social Research.
- Pathways to Work provides extra help for people on incapacity benefits to find work. As part of the programme, a variety of work and health related services, known collectively as the Choices package is available.
- The survey was conducted face-to-face with 2,679 customers who were included in the first two of the three phases of the expansion of Jobcentre Plus Pathways to Work (11 districts).
- The previous report referred to in this Press Release is DWP Research Report 456: Bailey, R, Hales, J, Hayllar, O, and Wood, M (2007) Pathways to Work: Customer experience and outcomes – Findings from a survey of new and repeat incapacity benefits customers in the first seven pilot areas, http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/rports2007-2008/rrep456.pdf
- Website: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/rrs-index.asp
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