An updated research report on the programme, carried out on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and first published last October, analyses the success of the Work and Health Programme (WHP), which was launched in England and Wales between November 2017 and April 2018.
The programme has been delivered by various private sector and charity service-providers, and taking part was voluntary for those referred to the “disability group”.
Researchers compared the results under the private and voluntary sector WHP providers with the kind of support being offered by DWP through Jobcentre Plus.
They found that those who took part in the WHP voluntarily were significantly more likely than those who received the typical jobcentre support to have done some paid work since starting the programme (27 per cent compared to 22 per cent).
But those who took part voluntarily were also working longer hours than those who were forced to take part, and they were more likely to be employed full-time.
More than a quarter (26 per cent) of those who took part in the WHP voluntarily had started some paid work since being referred, compared with just 17 per cent of those who were forced to take part, while the proportion in work at the time of the survey in 2021 was also higher (17 per cent compared with 11 per cent).
Under the programme, each participant is allocated a key worker who meets them regularly and provides support for up to 15 months, as well as referring them to specialist support if needed. Support includes financial, housing, health and childcare advice, as well as in-work support for many of those who secure jobs.
The report concluded: “Voluntary participation was highlighted as a critical aspect of the WHP and created a basis for genuine conversation with key workers about readiness for work, the barriers participants faced and their individual needs, for those in the voluntary groups.
“The extended time available for key workers to build rapport with participants was also mentioned as a significant development.
“In contrast, the JCP Work Coaches interviewed acknowledged that time constraints meant they were not able to focus on individuals as much as they might have wanted to.”
Ken Butler, Disability Rights UK Welfare Rights and Policy Adviser said: “This research gives the lie Government plans to reform and then abolish the work capability assessment (WCA).
“The effect of these reforms will be to drastically reduce Disabled people’s benefit entitlement and impose increased work conditionality backed by sanctions.
“Back in 2018, the Work and Pensions Committee issued a report that found that the overwhelming majority of evidence it received concluded that: “conditionality and sanctions for people with a disability is at best ineffective, and worse, inappropriate and counterproductive.”
Disabled people who might work with the right support should be given the voluntary personalised and flexible support and not be induced by a cut to their benefit and the threat of sanctions.”
Source and for more information see Claimants who chose to take part in DWP’s work programme were more likely to find jobs, research suggests available from disabilitynewsservice.com.
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