• About this study

Provider-led Pathways

Experiences and views of implementation in phase two districts

About this study

This report presents findings from a qualitative study looking at the views and experiences of provider-led Pathways to Work customers and staff.

You can read the full report here.

The purpose of the study was to explore:

• customers' experiences of the initial Work Focused Interview with the Jobcentre Plus advisor, referral to the provider and support received from provider-led Pathways services.
• provider staff experiences and views on contractual arrangements, working with Jobcentre Plus, and delivering provider-led Pathways services.
• Jobcentre Plus staff experiences of working with providers and customers.

This study builds upon evidence collected from an early implementation study conducted in phase 1 provider-led Pathways districts in 2008.

Potential policy impact

The findings from our study suggest that a review of some working practices, training and target setting may be helpful.

Recommendations from the study include: ensuring communication with customers whose participation in the programme is mandatory takes place as early as possible; providing Jobcentre Plus advisers with timely and detailed information about customers' health; reflecting on the kind of customer choice facilitated by the current model; and,facilitating better sharing of expertise between Jobcentre Plus advisers and providers.

Finally, providers' targets could be revisited to reflect all the work they do to help customers move closer to the labour market, rather than focusing solely on job outcomes.

Methods

The study comprised:

• in-depth interviews and group discussions with 30 staff from Jobcentre Plus

• in-depth interviews and group discussions with 50 staff from provider organisations

• in-depth interviews with 36 customers participating in the programme across six phase 2 provider-led Pathways districts.

Of interest: