Carrot or stick? Jobcentre Plus cannot do both
27 Mar 2009
Jobcentre Plus has an impossible task of managing contradictory roles. On the one hand, they work closely with claimants to support them back to work, whilst on the other, have responsibility for administering a claimant’s package of benefits. The welfare administration role undermines the opportunity to develop a trusting relationship between claimant and Jobcentre Plus.
The report provides an in depth analysis of different approaches used to tackle worklessness drawing on CLES’ work across the UK and argues that personal one to one support and advice plays a crucial role in building clients confidence, helping them gain new skills and introducing them slowly back into employment.
The report suggests that, we may need to consider developing a national benefits administrator and a separate sub-regional employment broker for all people out of work and that this would build on the range of excellent work already undertaken in local areas
This research was borne out of CLES’ disappointment that despite overwhelming evidence of the value of localised and tailored responses to tackle worklessness and unemployment, that we seem wedded to a centralised system.
Government policy remains increasingly dependent on large-scale supply organisations to deliver support. However, there are many great examples of small-scale local projects, which should also be supported. Local authorities should have a much stronger role in this agenda, as suggested in the recent Houghton Review, as they have a better appreciation of local needs and can develop tailored approaches in local communities.
Sarah Longlands, Director of Policy at CLES, commented, “With uncertain economic times ahead, worklessness and unemployment will become increasingly important in the coming months. With an anticipated increase in demand for Jobcentre Plus services, it is an opportune time to strengthen the delivery of individualised and personalised support in order to pre-empt a new generation of worklessness in the future”.
The report is available from Monday 30th March priced at £7.50 plus postage or you can download a copy below. To order a copy or to enquire about bulk discounts please contact Laura Symonds on 0161 236 7036 or email laurasymonds@cles.org.uk
If you wish to discuss this research, please contact Sarah Longlands, Director of Policy, on 0161 236 7036, or email sarahlonglands@cles.org.uk
Making it work: Analysing different ways of tackling worklessness
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