Merlin Standard™

• What is the Merlin Standard?
• Merlin Standard™ accreditation
• Merlin web portal
• Merlin Standard™ mediation service
• Merlin Standard™ Advisory Board
• Further information

What is the Merlin Standard?

The Merlin Standard is standard of behaviour to which prime providers are expected to adhere in their relationship with their subcontractors. It is designed to encourage excellence in supply chain management by prime providers, to ensure fair treatment of sub-contractors and development of healthy high performing supply chains, supporting the Department's Commissioning Strategy & Code of Conduct (733KB) . The Merlin Standard comprises a set of Principles - Supply Chain Design, Commitment, Conduct and Review - against which prime providers are to be assessed to achieve Merlin accreditation.

The key documents, Merlin Standard™ and Merlin assessment guidance are available on the Merlin web portal.

The Code of Conduct is Annex 1 of the DWP Commissioning Strategy (734KB)

Merlin Standard™ accreditation

These are outlined in the Merlin Standard™ and Merlin assessment guidance.

The development of the Merlin Standard™ responded directly to concerns raised by providers, especially those not operating as prime contractors, around potential unfair treatment within supply chains. The Merlin Standard products are the result of collaboration between the Welfare to Work industry and DWP and successful assessments of Flexible New Deal (fND) Phase 1 and Work Choice prime providers. The summary reports for both Flexible New Deal (fND) Phase 1, Work Choice and Work Choice Merlin Pilot Assessments: Key Strengths and Areas for Development contain the main findings from the assessments.

Merlin web portal

The Merlin Web Portal is the focal point for all Merlin Standard™:

• information
• activity
• good practice

It provides a practical tool to support provider/contractor engagement.

The portal also provides:

• a "shop window" for new entrants to the industry and smaller organisations
• access to commercial opportunities and potential delivery partners

Merlin Standard™ mediation service

We have launched a Merlin Standard mediation service to mediate on disputes about Merlin Standard™ related issues raised by sub-contractors that the prime provider's internal dispute resolution processes have failed to resolve. The Merlin Standard™ complaint report template is available on the Mediation webpage of the web portal.

Merlin Standard™ Advisory Board

The Merlin Standard™ Advisory Board was inaugurated in July 2011. Details of Board membership, terms of reference, board minutes and other publications are available on the Merlin web portal.

Merlin Standard Assessment and Accreditation Service Provider

DWP has appointment emqc as the Merlin Standard Assessment and Accreditation Service Provider. Prime provider assessments will commence in Spring 2012.

Further information

Further information about the Merlin Standard™ can be found on the Merlin web portal.

If you have any feedback or would like more information on the Merlin Standard™, please email us at Merlin.feedback@dwp.gsi.gov.uk.