28 January 2010 – Publication of DWP research report 624: Jobseekers regime and Flexible New Deal, six month offer and support for the newly unemployed evaluations: an early process study
A report is published today by the Department for Work and Pensions which documents early evaluation of Support for the Newly Unemployed (SNU), the Six Month Offer (6MO) and the first three stages of the Jobseekers Regime and Flexible New Deal (JRFND). The report includes findings from:
- Two waves of qualitative research in nine Jobcentre Plus districts to investigate programme implementation, including observations and interviews with a range of Jobcentre Plus staff;
- A national survey of Jobseeker’s Allowance customers during the first 13 weeks of claim, comparing JRFND Stage 1 with the former support regime for jobseekers.
Key findings from the research were:
- JRFND Stage 1 customers were more positive about the service they received than those who were subject to the former regime for jobseekers, with lone parents and customers with long-term health conditions or disabilities more likely to report that their motivation to find work, confidence and job search skills had increased as a result of the support received.
- Of those who left Jobseeker’s Allowance, Stage 1 customers appeared to leave more quickly, with more entering paid employment. Support appeared to be offered in a more targeted, customer-focused manner with greater differentiation by customer group.
- The additional services made available to customers from day one of a JSA claim (Support for the Newly Unemployed, Adviser Discretion Fund and Work Trials) were welcomed by staff and customers.
- There were some implementation and delivery issues, mainly brought about by resource constraints associated with significantly increased customer volumes.
- The 6MO was welcomed by Jobcentre Plus staff and customers, though the volunteering and training elements of the 6MO took longer to introduce nationwide than the recruitment subsidy and self employment options.
Notes to Editors
- The DWP Research Report ‘Jobseekers Regime and Flexible New Deal, the Six Month Offer and Support for the Newly Unemployed Evaluations: An Early Process Study’ will be published on 28 January 2010.
- This research report explores early implementation and delivery of the Six Month Offer, Support for the Newly Unemployed and the first three stages of the Jobseekers Regime in nine Jobcentre Plus districts. It also presents findings from a national survey of Jobseeker’s Allowance customers during the first 13 weeks of claim, comparing JRFND Stage 1 with the former support regime for jobseekers.
- The research was carried out on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions by a consortium led by the Policy Studies Institute (PSI). The qualitative research was undertaken by PSI in two waves in May and September 2009. The survey was conducted by IFF Research Ltd in September 2009.
- The authors are Genevieve Knight, Sandra Vegeris, Kathryn Ray, Christine Bertram, Rosemary Davidson, Andrew Dunn, Lucia Durante, Deborah Smeaton, Kim Vowden, Mark Winterbotham, Katie Oldfield, Sarah Fish, Catherine Riley and Charlie Taylor.
- Website: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/rrs-index.asp
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