Title
Contents
Acknowledgements 6
The Authors 7
Abbreviations 8
Summary 10
1. Introduction 16
1.1 The Jobseekers Regime and Flexible New Deal and Active Labour Market Policy 16
1.2 Research aims and objectives 18
1.3 Our approach 19
1.4 Report structure 21
2. Self-managed job search (Stage One) 22
2.1 The New Jobseeker Interview 22
2.2 Skills screening 23
2.3 Referrals at Stage One 24
2.4 Back to Work Sessions 25
2.4.1 Outline of sessions: when, where and how often 25
2.4.2 Staff views of the BtWS 28
2.4.3 Customer views of the BtWS 29
2.4.4 Impact of mandation on customers 30
2.4.5 Impact of mandation on staff 32
2.5 Customers' views of Stage One 32
2.6 Key issues at Stage One 33
3. Directed job search (Stage Two) 35
3.1 13-week reviews 35
3.1.1 Timing and task issues 35
3.2 The Customer Assessment Tool 37
3.3 Targeted Interviews 38
3.3.1 Purpose of the TIs 38
3.3.2 Identifying the target group 39
3.4 More adviser flexibility and discretion 40
3.5 Skills screening and referrals 40
3.6 Weekly signing 41
3.6.1 Difficulties with weekly signings 42
3.7 Customers' views of Stage Two 43
3.7.1 Experience of the 13-week interview 43
3.7.2 Leaflets 44
3.7.3 Weekly signing 44
3.8 Key issues at Stage Two 45
4. Supported job search (Stage Three) 46
4.1 26-week interview 46
4.2 Adviser flexibility 47
4.2.1 Constraints on adviser flexibility 48
4.2.2 Time allocation for customers at Stage Three 49
4.3 Adviser caseloads and diary management 50
4.4 Mandatory actions 51
4.5 Skills screening and referrals to non-contracted provision 52
4.5.1 Use of skills screening tools 52
4.5.2 Non-contracted provision 53
4.6 Weekly signing 56
4.7 Customers' views of Stage Three 57
4.8 Key issues at Stage Three 58
5. Cross-cutting themes 60
5.1 Partner organisations 60
5.2 Adviser skills and training 62
5.2.1 BtWS presenters 62
5.2.2 Adviser skills at Stage Three 63
5.2.3 FJR staff 64
5.2.4 Staff training during the tests 64
5.3 Management and leadership 65
5.4 Resources 66
5.4.1 Premises for BtWS 66
5.4.2 Information technology 67
5.4.3 Other resource issues 67
5.5 Early indications of impact 68
6. Conclusions and recommendations 70
6.1 Conclusions 70
6.1.1 Impact on customers 70
6.1.2 Skills in the revised regime 71
6.1.3 Impact on staff 71
6.1.4 Impact on stakeholders 72
6.2 Recommendations 73
Table 1.1 Fieldwork record 20