Welfare to Work

This page provides information and news on the reform, commissioning and delivery of employment, skills and training services in England.

It is aimed at voluntary and community sector providers or potential providers of employment, skills and training services - otherwise known as the welfare-to-work sector. In particular, this page carries information on the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) Work Programme.

We would like to hear about your experiences and thoughts of the Work Programme and the current welfare-to-work environment. For this and any other questions regarding this page, please contact Paul Winyard.

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Latest news

NCVO Special Interest Group warns of flaws in Work Programme

Members of the NCVO Special Interest Group for Work Programme sub-contractors have voiced concerns that the new welfare-to-work initiative in its current form could leave many voluntary sector providers feeling squeezed out and financially vulnerable. In a paper (PDF, 227KB) which has been sent to Employment Minister Chris Grayling, the group calls on the government to ensure that sector is involved fairly within the programme.

NCVO launch interest group for Work Programme sub-contractors

NCVO has marked the launch the new Work Programme by creating a special interest group aimed at representing the hundreds of voluntary and community organisations that act as sub-contractors in the new intitiative. To find out more about the new group or to join please contact Paul Winyard.

Recent news

Report and statistics on the Work Capability Assessment published

On the day the Work and Pensions Committee released it Sixth Report: The role of incapacity benefit reassessment in helping claimants into employment, DWP has published its Work Capability Assessment (WCA) statistics purportedly showing that over a third (39 per cent) of those who claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) are assessed as fit for work with a further 17 per cent able to work with the correct help and support.

Work and Pensions Committee publish Government response to Work Programme report

The Government's response to the Work and Pensions Committee's 4th Report - Work Programme: providers and contracting arrangements has been published. The 6th Special Report is DWP's response to the questions and concerns raised by the Committee in their May 2011 report including the efficacy of the procurement process, minimum performance levels, prime contractor and voluntary sector relationships, and the ability of the payment-by-results model to cater for all customer groups. To read this and other reports go to the Work and Pensions Committees website.

DWP publishes Invitation to Tender for ESF Support for Families with Multiple Problems

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have invited eligible organisations on the framework for the Provision of Employment Related Support Services (ERSS) to tender for European Social Fund (ESF) 2011–13 provision. There is to be one Prime Provider per Contract Package Area (CPA) with provision aimed at tackling entrenched worklessness by helping multi-generational families with multiple problems closer to employment. For more details and tender documents visit the Contracts Finder website.

DWP publishes details of Work Programme sub-contractors and partners

The long awaited list of the subcontractors and partners for the Work Programme has been published by the Department of Work and Pensions. The list contains details of voluntary, public and private organisations involved in both Tier One and Tier Two service delivery. The extent to which the lists reflects the value of Work Programme contracts remains to be seen and DWP acknowledges that supply chains are likely to change as providers identify best practice and networks grow. Keep an eye on our new Special Interest Group for Work Programme VCS sub-contractors which will seek to monitor issues such as these in the coming months.

DWP releases minimum service delivery requirements

The Department for Work and Pensions has published details of the minimum service delivery requirements for each prime contractor on the Work Programme by contract package area. Providers have provided a summary of the minimum levels of service they will provide which DWP plans to translate into Key Performance Indicators. Apparent is that levels of detail and commitment vary across providers, with some objectives more explicitly stated and ambitious than others.

Work Programme - meet the prime providers

Following the announcement of the selected prime providers under the Work Programme Framework, a number of those prime providers are proactively looking to build relationships with potential delivery partners. Keep an eye out on the Indus Delta website for up-to-date new of events and opportunities.

DWP Announces Work Programme Framework Preferred Providers

The DWP has released the names of the successful entrants to all regional areas under the Work Programme Framework. The private sector are heavily represented, with the voluntary sector securing few entrants. 3SC is notably absent.

Flexible New Deal performance analysis released

The Department for Work and Pensions has released much-anticipated information on Flexible New Deal (FND) performance by named contractor. The report contains FND figures on starts, short job outcomes and sustained job outcomes down to contract level. Figures are available from October 2009 to August 2010.

Following the publication of the performance statistics today, Employment Minister, Chris Grayling claimed the FND figures "were even worse than I thought" and stated the programme had been "chronically mismanaged", costing half-a-billion pounds while failing jobseekers.

Pathways evaluation - National Audit Office

The National Audit Office have published a second report (agreed with the DWP) evaluating the Pathways to Work programme. This looked specifically at the prime contractor delivery model

This will also inform a future report looking at the Work Programme prime contractor model. Keep your eyes on the National Audit Office website for further details.

Welfare to Work and Local Government conference

The Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion are holding a conference on 'Work, Benefits and Skills: the role of local government' in London on 19th January 2011.

Government publishes 'Local Growth' White Paper

The Government has published the 'Local Growth' White Paper. Included in this are Government plans to drive local economic growth and business investment. Proposals for 24 Local Enterprise pilots and details of the £1.4billion Regional Growth Fund (now open) for private sector growth are detailed within the paper.

Local Enterprise Partnerships - working with the Work Programme

'Bringing Local Enterprise Partnerships and the Work Programme together' considers the future setting and challenges for Local Enterprise Partnerships working together with Work Programme contractors to strengthen local economies and employment. The report is written by Rocket Science.

Cashflow Assessment Tool for voluntary sector subcontractors

The main concern voiced by the sector so far has been one of measuring risk - how can organisations understand the financial implications of being sub-contracted through the DWP Work Programme?

Rocket Science, an independent consultancy, have produced a Cashflow Assessment Tool for organisations wanting to assess the financial viability of sub-contracting relationships. This tool is free to use. Guidelines and the Cashflow Assessment Tool can be accessed and completed by organisations for free.

Statement on Welfare Reform - 11th October 2010

Lord Freud on behalf of Iain Duncan Smith, Minister for Work and Pensions, gave an update and answered questions on welfare reform. The statement and subsequent questions and answers can be read on They Work For You. It included an update on the Work Programme.

Work Programme Prime Provider Bidders Announced

The DWP have received 790 expressions of interest from providers to join under the Work Programme framework. These are listed on the DWP website. The Framework will be let in November 2010, with contracts expected to be awarded from the Framework (contracts will be worth between £10-50 million) in Spring 2011.

Online Forum for Work Programme Partnerships

Indus Delta have launched an online forum for those wanting to enter into the Work Programme as prime or sub contractors. Go to the Framework Forum.

The Role of Volunteers in Welfare Provision

The Careers Development Group, a large voluntary sector support provider, have published a report, 'Tapping into the Potential of Expert Volunteers', into the potential of expert volunteers to enable the delivery of better welfare to work services.

Personalisation and Welfare to Work

The Institute for Public Policy Research have published a report, 'Now it's personal?', into the scope for personalised services and the personalisation agenda within current and future welfare to work services as commissioned by the DWP.

London voluntary sector response to Government's proposals for benefits reform

The London Employment and Skills Policy Network, made up of over 60 voluntary sector providers, have responded with their concerns to the Coalition Government's proposed changes to the benefits system. Read their response here.

Preparing for the Work Programme: lessons on outcomes based contracting so far

London Voluntary Service Council (LVSC) run the London Employment and Skills Policy Network (LESPN) who have produced a number of useful and accessible reports on current policy on publicly funded employment, skills and training support.

Their policy briefing entitled 'Preparing for the Work Programme: what does recent research tell us about outcome based commissioning' pulls together research and learning on outcomes based contracting with voluntary sector providers.

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Key exernal information and organisations

London Skills and Employment Board (cross-sector) If you are considering entering a Work Programme contract it is well worth reading this research report on recent DWP commissioning practices and their impact on voluntary and community sector providers. The report is authored by Rocket Science.

Indus Delta - the leading website for information, news and discussion on the employment, skills and training (welfare-to-work) sector.

The Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion - not-for-profit company dedicated to tackling disadvantage and promoting social justice. Particulary active in the areas of welfare-to-work and the Work Programme.

London Employment and Skills Policy Network - the strategic voice of the London welfare-to-work voluntary sector, but also a great source of nationally relevant research and information. Facilitated by London Voluntary Service Council.

ERSA - The Employment Related Services Association (ERSA) is the trade body for the welfare to work industry.

Birmingham Learning, Training and Employment Pathways Network - the strategic voice and networking function for the Birmingham welfare-to-work voluntary sector, and a sub-sector of the Birmingham Third Sector Assembly. Facilitated by Birmingham Voluntary Service Council.

House of Commons Select Committee on Work and Pensions - a cross party committee reviewing the delivery of policy and services on welfare-to-work and pensions. Periodically send out inquiries on key issues, seeking to engage and consult with external partners.

Department of Work and Pensions Notices to Providers - the DWP publishes notices on key issues affecting and of interest to providers, from TUPE to updates on contract schedules.

The Merlin Standard - designed by the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) with providers and representative bodies to help evolve successful, high performing supply chains, and champion positive behaviours and relationships in the delivery of provision.

Work Programme Prospectus - outlining the Work Programme framework and timetable

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Engagement and networking

These pages are maintained by the NCVO Public Service Delivery Network, a national cross-sector network for those involved in the reform and delivery of public services. We currently have over 2000 members, and our activity includes regular seminars, training, monthly bulletins, consultations and policy briefing. Our work is steered by our members. We welcome comments and input from across sectors, so do get in touch with us.

Any enquiries about information on this page please contact Paul Winyard

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