Jobcentre Plus

Jobcentre Plus Support

Department for Work and Pensions

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Government Reforms

• Change to the way Jobcentre Plus delivers it’s services

• Greater flexibility

• Support tailored to individual needs

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• The Government wants to get Britain working and has therefore introduced Get Britain Working measures.

• This requires the support of all our partners who have the expertise and local knowledge to give individuals the tailored support they need to find work.

Background

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• Work Clubs - encouraging people who are out of work to exchange skills and share experiences, so that they can find employment;

• Work Together - developing work skills through volunteering ;

• Work Experience - helping people gain insight into the world of work

• New Enterprise Allowance - supporting unemployed people who wish to move off benefits into self-employment;

• Enterprise Clubs - a way of encouraging people who are out of work to exchange skills, share experience, and work through their business ideas; and

• Sector-based work academies – comprising of pre-employment training, work experience placements and guaranteed job interviews

Overview of the Get Britain Working Measures

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• Work Clubs provide people with a place to meet to share experiences, find opportunities, make contacts and get support to help them in their return to work

• We will provide practical advice on establishing or supporting a Work Club, and with your help, encourage innovation and partnership working to make the most of local resources and expertise

• The content of each Work Club will vary according to local needs, but could include:

providing people with an insight into a particular industry/sector; visits to workplaces; and/or employment focused sessions on recruitment methods and interview techniques

• Our advisers will signpost customers to local Work Clubs where they are available

Work Clubs - encouraging people who are out of work to share skills and experience

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• Volunteering is a way of improving people’s employment prospects whilst they are looking for work

• We will give people more information about volunteering if they are interested and signpost them to:

local organisations that have agreed to support unemployed people; on-line support; and specific opportunities in their communities

• Jobcentre Plus is working with employers and partners in the voluntary and community sector locally to ensure more opportunities are available to the unemployed particularly opportunities which will help people develop new skills

Work Together - developing skills through volunteering

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• A lack of understanding of the working world may be a significant barrier to finding and sustaining employment

• We want to work with employers to offer unemployed people the opportunity to overcome this barrier through 2 – 8 weeks work experience

• For those who lack work experience, the chance to undertake real work and adjust to the routines and habits of working life can significantly improve their employment prospects

• We’ll match eligible claimants to work placements and complete a light touch selection process

• If the employer offers an Apprenticeship to the participant, the placement can be extended up to a further 4 weeks while the arrangements are being made

Work Experience – offering greater insight into the world of work

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New Enterprise Allowance – support for customers to start their own business

• The New Enterprise Allowance provides help for unemployed people who want to start their own business

• Business mentors from the local community will provide guidance and support as customers develop their business idea and through the early stages of trading

• Once a customer has demonstrated a viable business idea and is ready to register as self-employed they can:

get a weekly allowance at the same level as their JSA payments for 3 months, and then at half that rate for a further 3 months

also apply for loan up to £1,000 to help with start-up costs

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Enterprise Clubs – encouraging people who are interested in self employment to share skills and experience

• Places where unemployed people interested in self-employment can meet to exchange skills, make contacts with like-minded individuals, share experiences, receive support and encourage each other to work through their business ideas.

• We are keen to encourage local businesses and partnerships to get involved in the development and operation of Enterprise Clubs so that unemployed people interested in self-employment can learn from their knowledge and experience

• We will provide practical advice to those wanting to establish or support Enterprise Clubs and our advisers will signpost customers to local Enterprise Clubs where available

• The content of each Enterprise Club will vary, but could include:

the opportunity to network with other entrepreneurs and self-employed people financial, legal, market and business advice; and/or office services (including internet access) advice on benefits of self-employment and in-work support

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Sector-based work academies

• Combining sector-specific training with a work experience placement and a guaranteed job interview with an employer in that sector

• Targeted at customers close to the labour market to help them find work

• Established in sectors with high volumes of entry-level jobs and current vacancies

• Lasting for a maximum of six weeks, with the individual remaining on benefit and receiving additional support with travel and childcare costs if required

• Be accredited – leading to units on the Qualifications and Credit Framework as appropriate to the entry requirements for intended jobs in those sectors

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Sources of further information for employers and other partners

• The DWP Get Britain Working website includes information on :

Work Clubs;

Work Together;

work experience – and links to further information on the Business Link website;

New Enterprise Allowance;

Enterprise Clubs; and

Sector-based work academies

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OFFICE 2012 2013

» Borehamwood 954 930

» Hatfield 2137 1927

» Hemel Hempstead 2354 2047

» Hertford 1732 1587

» Letchworth 1918 1929

» St Albans 1696 1553

» Stevenage 2590 2469

» Waltham X 2315 2080

» Watford 3546 3319

Unemployment in Hertfordshire – January 2012 - 2013

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The Work Programme

• The biggest single employment support programme the UK has ever seen.

• Introduced in June 2011

• Based on need of individuals and not on the benefit they claim.

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• Supporting those at risk of long term unemployment.

• Delivered by private and third sector providers.

• All referrals to the Work Programme made by Jobcentre Plus Advisers.

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A universal programme

Customer Groups Time for referral Referral Type

•JSA customers aged 25+

•JSA customers aged 18-24

•JSA customers who have recently moved from Incapacity Benefit

•JSA customers who are seriously disadvantaged in the labour market

•All Employment Support Allowance customers

•Employment Support Allowance (income related) customers who are placed in the Work Related Activity Group

•All Income Support and Incapacity Benefit customers (England only)

From 12 months

From 9 months

From 3 months

From 3 months

At any time

When customers are expected to be fit for work within 3 months

At any time

Mandatory

Mandatory

Mandatory

Mandatory or Voluntary depending on circumstance

Voluntary

Mandatory

Voluntary

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• No service fee

• Small ‘attachment fee’ per customer, during first three years of contract

• Incentives to help all customers groups using differential pricing

• Payment for jobs will be based on sustained employment

Payment by results

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Freedom for providers to design programme

• No specification

• Providers free to innovate

• ‘Black box’ approach

• Providers encouraged to involve other sectors in their partnership network

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A long term programme

• Programme lasts up to two years

• Contracts due to last 5 years

• Payments for sustained jobs continue for up to 2 years

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Incentives for performance

• At least two competing providers in every area

• We will shift market share from worse to better performers

• …and pay bonuses for best performers

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Making sure providers help all customers

• Providers have to set out minimum service standard for all customers

• Details will be given to all customers on referral

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Sue CosterPartnership Manager, Department for Work and Pensions Watford Jobcentre Plus; 07826 893562 SUE.COSTER@DWP.GSI.GOV.UK

Marie Green Partnership Manager, Department for Work and Pensions Jobcentre Directorate; 07920 596448 MARIE.GREEN@DWP.GSI.GOV.UK