Title
Contents
Acknowledgements 7
The Author 8
Abbreviations 9
Summary 10
Introduction 10
Project aims 10
Methodology 11
Key findings 11
Conclusions 13
1. Introduction and research design 15
1.1 Research aims 16
1.2 Research methodology 17
1.3 Data sampling 18
1.3.1 Development of the lone parent sample 18
1.3.2 The final sample 18
1.3.3 Data analysis 19
1.4 Structure of the report 19
2. Characteristics of lone parents in the study 20
2.1 The domestic circumstances of the lone parents in this study 21
2.2 Employment history and attitudes to employment 21
2.3 The financial situation 23
2.4 Focus group findings 24
2.5 Conclusions 25
3. The work focused interview 26
3.1 The theoretical process of the Work Focused Interview 26
3.2 Focus group findings - when a customer fails to attend 28
3.3 Overall attitudes to the Work Focused Interview 29
3.3.1 Positive aspects of the Work Focused Interview 29
3.3.2 Negative aspects of the Work Focused Interview 30
3.3.3 Attendance at the Work Focused Interview 31
3.3.4 Focus group findings 27
3.4 Comprehension of risk related to failing to attend 27
3.4.1 Focus group findings 32
3.5 Reasons for non-attendance 32
3.5.1 Focus group findings: Non-attendance 33
3.6 Conclusions 33
4. Awareness and understanding of the sanctions regime 35
4.1 The sanctions regime 35
4.2 The role of compliance 37
4.2.1 Focus group findings: compliance 37
4.2.2 Compliance and the customer 40
4.3 The level of comprehension of the sanctions regime 40
4.3.1 Focus group findings 41
4.4 Attitudes towards sanctions 42
4.4.1 Focus group findings 42
4.5 The impact of the sanctions regime upon labour market behaviour 43
4.6 The impact of sanctions upon those individuals who had ceased to claim benefits 44
4.7 Conclusions 45
5. Individuals who had experienced a sanction 46
5.1 Introduction to the individuals in Category B and C 46
5.1.1 Characteristics of the two groups 47
5.1.2 Awareness of sanction regime 47
5.1.3 Reasons for failing to attend 47
5.2 Category C individuals - those understood to be living 48
5.2.1 Characteristics 48
5.2.2 Awareness of sanction 48
5.2.3 Financial awareness 49
5.2.4 Health issues 49
5.3 Those individuals aware of the sanction 50
5.3.1 Factors leading to the sanction 50
5.3.2 Financial coping strategies 51
5.3.3 Emotional impact of the sanction 51
5.3.4 Reaction to the sanction 51
5.3.5 Case Study One: LP 11 - Sally 51
5.4 Those individuals unaware of a sanction 53
5.4.1 Possible causes for the lack of acknowledgement 53
5.4.2 Reduced benefit payments 54
5.4.3 Case Study Two: Kelly - LP 3 54
5.4.4 Financial coping strategies 56
5.5 Focus group findings 56
5.6 Conclusions 57
6. Focus groups 59
6.1 Issues raised only by the focus groups 59
6.2 Communication 59
6.2.1 Work Focused Interview letters 59
6.2.2 Sanction letters 60
6.2.3 General issues 61
6.3 The title of the Work Focused Interview 62
6.4 Direct payments 63
6.4.1 Address change 63
6.4.2 Financial implications 63
6.5 Conclusions 63
7. Conclusions 64
7.1 Discussion of the findings 64
7.1.1 Lone parents as a group 65
7.1.2 Awareness and comprehension of the sanctions regime 66
7.1.3 Issues around non-compliance 67
7.1.4 Impact of sanctions on labour market behaviour 67
8. Issues for further consideration 68
8.1 Work Focused Interview title and letters - improved communication 68
8.2 The 'better off' calculation 69
8.3 The involvement of compliance officers 70
8.4 Waivers and deferrals 70
8.5 Inclusion in the 'vulnerable group' 71
Appendix A First contact letter 72
Appendix B Data sampling 74
Appendix C The primary research 76
Appendix D District breakdown of the contact patterns 79
Appendix E Topic guide for telephone interviews 81
Appendix F Topic guide for face to face interviews 87
Appendix G Topic guide for focus groups 93
Appendix H Fields used during framework analysis 98