A report is published by the Department for Work and Pensions provides evidence on the operation and impact of client choice within multi provider Employment Zones.
Employment Zones were introduced as an intensive and long term employment programme. In 2004, multi provider Employment Zones (EZ) was established in six EZ areas and involved up to three contractors delivering provision. Initially mandatory clients were allocated to one of the providers on a pre-arranged contractual distribution of market share. Since April 2007, the choice of provider was extended to mandatory clients claiming Jobseekers Allowance.
The key findings of the study are:
- Support for choice amongst the Employment Zone clients with 78% feeling it was positive.
- Clients accessed information from a range of sources before making a choice. However, a quarter (27%) said they did not access any information.
- Choice improved clients’ attendance and increased levels of engagement.
- However, choice was also felt to have brought confusion for some clients.
Several factors influenced clients’ choice of providers:
……….. location of the provider;
…………. previous experience of a provider;
………… recommendations from family and friends;
…………. information and advice about the services provided.
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I think there are lessons that the New Work Programme could draw from this!
