Background
The effectiveness of jobcentres and work coaches has been central to the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) achieving one of its strategic objectives – to ‘maximise employment, reduce economic inactivity and support the progression of those in work’.
DWP has over 600 jobcentres which help people to move from benefits into work and increase their income. They also work with employers to offer training and work experience, and support with recruitment. Work coaches work directly with Universal Credit claimants to identify their needs, help them find jobs, carry out work search reviews, and refer and signpost people to specialist employment support.
The new government has announced plans to reform the system of employment support, including merging Jobcentre Plus with the National Careers Service.
Scope
Our study will establish a baseline for the current system of supporting people to work through jobcentres. It will cover:
- the system for supporting people to work, including the requirements of the relevant labour market regimes of Universal Credit
- the demand for, and supply of, support, including DWP’s estimates of the number of work coaches needed and whether there are enough work coaches to meet demand
- the performance of jobcentres against DWP’s current objectives for supporting people to work, and the extent to which employment outcomes vary for people from different demographic groups or in different parts of the country
NAO Team
Director: Laura Brackwell
Audit Manager: Mark Parrett