What is the Work Programme?

In June 2010, the Government announced a radical reform of the way welfare to work services would be delivered in the future. The Work Programme will consolidate and replace many of the existing programmes delivered by providers such as A4e.

The main changes in approach are:
- introducing larger and longer term contracts for providers;
- a single programme for customers with earlier access for some people after 6 months of unemployment and inclusion of young people;
- a move to differential pricing with more money for the harder to help; and
- payment for outcomes using the savings from the revised approach to benefit payments to fund long term sustainable jobs (1, 2 and 3 years). 

The Work Programme is expected to ‘Go-Live’ between April and June 2011 and the bid process has started with providers submitting ‘expressions of interest’ to DWP by 31st July 2010. In the meantime, existing contracts for programmes such as New Deal, Pathways etc have been given extensions to enable a smooth transition for customers.

The Work Programme contracts will be awarded using a framework contract approach. These new larger framework contracts will initially be awarded and cover a specific geographic region, a number of providers may be awarded a framework contract in any region. A framework contractor will then be able to bid for work in that area, including the Work Programme.

The Regional ‘Lots’ have been defined as:

The size and scale of the Work Programme contracts means that A4e’s approach of working with a broad range of partners from the public, private and third sector organisations will be more important than ever. For more information about our approach to Partnerships for the Work Programme click here

The timetable for the introduction of the Work Programme is outlined below:
 

Contact the Department of Work and Pensions if you want to find out more about the work programme http://www.dwp.gov.uk/

See what ERSA (the industry body) has said on the announcment