Title
Contents
Acknowledgements 8
The Authors 9
Abbreviations 10
Summary 12
1. Introduction 18
1.1 Policy background 19
1.1.1 The Pathways to Work programme 19
1.1.2 The purpose and design of Job Preparation Premium 20
1.2 Aims of the research study 21
1.3 Research design and methods 22
1.4 Report outline 23
2. Staff perceptions and use of the Job Preparation Premium 24
2.1 Perceptions of the role of the Job Preparation Premium 24
2.1.1 Job Preparation Premium as an 'incentive' 25
2.1.2 Job Preparation Premium as an 'encouragement' 25
2.1.3 Job Preparation Premium as a 'reward' 25
2.1.4 Job Preparation Premium as a 'reimbursement' 26
2.1.5 Perceptions of the intended role of Job Preparation Premium 26
2.2 Information and guidance in the use of the Job Preparation Premium 26
2.3 Awarding the Job Preparation Premium 28
2.3.1 Views on discretion 28
2.3.2 Introducing and awarding Job Preparation Premium 29
2.3.3 The relationship between perceptions of the role of Job Preparation Premium and criteria used in awarding Job Preparation Premium 32
2.4 Factors contributing to limited use of the Job Preparation Premium 33
2.4.1 Lack of clear guidance 33
2.4.2 Incapacity Benefit Personal Advisers' views on appropriate use 34
2.4.3 The low profile of the Job Preparation Premium 34
2.4.4 The administrative burden of the Job Preparation Premium 34
2.5 Discussion of secondary analysis of data 35
2.6 Summary 36
3. Learning about the Job Preparation Premium and undertaking work-related activities 37
3.1 Thoughts and feelings about a return to work 37
3.1.1 Making plans for work or work-related activities 38
3.1.2 Starting to think about work or work-related activities 38
3.1.3 Not thinking about work or work-related activities 39
3.2 Learning about the Job Preparation Premium 39
3.2.1 How the Job Preparation Premium was introduced 39
3.2.2 Responses to the offer of the Job Preparation Premium 40
3.2.3 Recipients' understanding of the role of the Job Preparation Premium 41
3.3 Influence of the Job Preparation Premium in the uptake of work-related activities 41
3.4 Work-related activities: decision making, experiences and impact 42
3.4.1 Activities undertaken 42
3.4.2 Choosing activities 43
3.4.3 Experience and impact of work-related activities 44
3.5 Summary 48
4. Experiences of payment and receipt: the administration of the Job Preparation Premium 50
4.1 Getting the Job Preparation Premium into payment 50
4.1.1 Making an agreement 50
4.1.2 Making an application 51
4.1.3 Authorising and auditing awards 51
4.1.4 Problems and delays in receiving payments 52
4.2 Ensuring continued receipt 53
4.2.1 Monitoring activities 53
4.2.2 Attitudes towards monitoring compliance 55
4.2.3 Reviewing and renegotiating entitlement to Job Preparation Premium receipt 55
4.3 Reflections on the periodicity and method of delivery 57
4.4 Staff experiences of, and attitudes towards, Job Preparation Premium administration 58
4.5 Summary 59
5. Experiences of payment and receipt: the difference made by the Job Preparation Premium 60
5.1 Using the Job Preparation Premium and its impact 60
5.1.1 Substantive impacts 61
5.1.2 Psychological impacts 63
5.1.3 Making minimal impact 64
5.2 Reflections on the amount and duration of payments 65
5.2.1 Amount 65
5.2.2 Duration 65
5.2.3 Arguments for discretion in amount and duration of payments 66
5.3 Reflections on applying again for the Job Preparation Premium 67
5.4 Summary 67
6. Reflections on the end of Job Preparation Premium payments 69
6.1 Expiry 70
6.1.1 Anticipation of the end of Job Preparation Premium payments 70
6.1.2 Financial impact of no longer receiving the Job Preparation Premium 71
6.1.3 Future plans 73
6.2 Ending Job Preparation Premium payments before expiry 74
6.2.1 Anticipation of the end of Job Preparation Premium payments 75
6.2.2 Impact of the Job Preparation Premium ending before expiry 75
6.2.3 Future plans 76
6.3 People in receipt of the Job Preparation Premium: understanding and thinking towards expiry 76
6.4 Summary 77
7. Overall impressions and suggestions for change 79
7.1 Staff overall impressions of the Job Preparation Premium 79
7.1.1 Positive impressions 79
7.1.2 Negative impressions 80
7.2 Is the Job Preparation Premium necessary? 81
7.2.1 The Job Preparation Premium is necessary 81
7.2.2 The Job Preparation Premium is not necessary 82
7.3 Suggested changes to the Job Preparation Premium and support offered by Jobcentre Plus 83
7.4 Summary 84
8. Discussion and conclusions 85
8.1 Study findings 85
8.1.1 What are the perceptions of the purpose, role and value of the Job Preparation Premium, and how do Incapacity Benefit Personal Advisers use it? 85
8.1.2 What are the experiences of the application process and delivery? 86
8.1.3 What do staff and recipients think about the impact of the Job Preparation Premium on views and behaviour? 87
8.1.4 Is the Job Preparation Premium necessary? 89
8.2 Implications for policy 89
8.2.1 Clarifying the purpose of JPP 89
8.2.2 The use of discretion 91
8.2.3 Providing support tailored to people's needs and circumstances 92
8.2.4 Keeping the Job Preparation Premium as a separate financial measure 93
8.2.5 Increasing the number of Job Preparation Premium awards 94
8.3 Summary 95
Appendix A. Job Preparation Premium focused study: research methods 96
Appendix B. Research instruments 107
References 126
Table A.1 Incapacity Benefit Personal Adviser groupings using questionnaire responses 97
Table A.2 Recruitment 99
Table A.3 Incapacity Benefit Personal Advisers recruited to the study 102
Table A.4 Experience as an Incapacity Benefit Personal Adviser or manager of advisers 103
Table A.5 Age and sex of participants 103
Table A.6 Job Preparation Premium status at the time of interview 104
Table A.7 Household types amongst participants 105
Table A.8 Self-reported health conditions 106
Table 3.1 Work-related activities undertaken by Job Preparation Premium recipients 42