Notice to Providers
Previous notices
Supporting Evidence for Discretionary Spend
A number of recent cases presented to the Independent Case Examiner (ICE) have considered the process by which Jobcentre Plus customers gain information on the reasons for granting or declining funds for discretionary spending.
It is acknowledged that discretionary spending will, by definition, not be an area for which it will be possible to provide precise descriptions of the conditions under which funds should or should not be committed.
However, following the recent ICE cases, I am writing to remind providers of the need to be able to explain to customers the reasons behind any decision to spend or not spend discretionary funds. It may for example, be appropriate to reflect such reasons within the customers action plan, but in any event, providers should have a process through which customers are able to obtain information on the basis for any decision made.
I am sure many providers will already be meeting these requirements; however, should you have any concerns or would like clarification, please approach your contract manager.
Peter Thornber
Commercial Employment Provision
Previous notices
New flexible New Deal section (20 June 2008)
Flexible New Deal Networking Opportunities (30 May 2008) (revised 20 June 2008)
Local Employment Partnerships (22 May 2008)
Phase 1 flexible New Deal (May 2008)
Compliance with Data Protection Act and Information Disclosure (06 May 2008)
Expressions of Interest for Flexible New Deal (April 2008)
Contracting for the flexible New Deal (22 February 2008)
Letter from LSC - Information concerning LSC tendering for Careers Information and Advice Services (08 February 2008)
Better-off calculations and the lower earnings limit (21 January 2008)
New Deal, Employment Zones, PSL and Programme Centre contracts