St Helens Job Seekers Allowance Claimant Analysis and Assessment
Client: St Helens Council - April 2008 – June 2008
Project Description
CLES Consulting were commissioned to assess the levels of on and off flows from Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) in St Helens and the reasons behind these flows. This project was commissioned in the context of worklessness being a key local priority and specifically sought to:
- provide recommendations as to additional support which could be provided, and options as to how to reduce the level of on/off flow of JSA claimants in the Borough of St Helens;
- assess the level of on/off flow of residents claiming JSA;
- identify issues faced by claimants, including reasons for re-claiming JSA after entering paid work;
- assess, from a client perspective, what appropriate support could be made available to ensure they remain in work rather than return to claiming JSA.
CLES adopted a methodology which included a review of existing worklessness policy; comprehensive data analysis of JSA Claimant data in St Helens; face to face interviews with JSA claimants and Jobcentre Plus Personal and Financial Advisors; discussion group with JCP Personal Advisors and the Worklessness Leads Group in St Helens and interview with St Helens Chamber and local employers who have recently recruited via Jobcentre Plus.
Key Findings/outcomes
This study found that on and off flows from JSA accounted for a significant proportion of total claims. Over a third of JSA off flows occurred due to ‘failing to sign’ or because of ‘unknown’ meaning the administration of the JSA system is making on and off flows appear much higher than the true number of residents entering work. The research also investigated the effect employment agency recruitment practices upon JSA on and off flows. The research concluded by presenting a number of recommendations to overcome the factors facilitating JSA flows to and from JSA in St Helens.
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