(2) what estimate she has made of the number of Jobcentre Plus offices that have used flexible interventions in each month since they were first used; and how many customers have been the subject of such interventions.
The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the right hon. Member with the information requested.
Letter from Darra Singh:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions asking how many Jobcentre Plus offices have used (a) extended postal signing, (b) telephone jobsearch reviews, (c) suspension of signing, (d) 13-week interviews by telephone and (e) 13-week group sessions in each month since flexible interventions were first used; and how many Jobcentre Plus customers were the subject of each such practice; and what estimate she has made of the number of Jobcentre Plus offices that have used flexible interventions in each month since they were first used; and how many customers have been the subject of such interventions. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
Flexible interventions were introduced at a time of rapidly increasing demand on our services and before we had the opportunity to increase our staffing levels to meet those demands. We have subsequently recruited additional staff which in turn has allowed us to reduce the number of flexible interventions deployed. In some circumstances, we have decided to deploy our flexibilities into our core business as part of our improved delivery model, in order to further improve customer service. During the economic downturn, despite these increased demands, Jobcentre Plus maintained and improved performance and is meeting all of its key performance targets.
A total of 19 flexible interventions were approved. The number of Jobcentre Plus offices that have deployed the specific flexible interventions you requested information on are detailed in the table below. However, management information on the number of customers who have been the subject of these interventions is not collected.
Extended postal signing Telephone jobsearch reviews Suspension of signing 13 week interviews by telephone 13 week group sessions 2009 April 4 0 1 34 19 May 1 2 0 55 69 June 0 0 0 61 76 July 0 0 0 8 82 August 0 0 0 2 83 September 0 0 1 1 84 October 0 0 0 4 75 November 0 2 0 1 57 December 0 0 0 0 56 2010 January 0 0 0 0 55 Source: Jobcentre Plus Management Information.
The number of Jobcentre Plus offices that have deployed one or more of the approved flexible interventions are detailed in the following table. Management information on the number of customers who have been subject to these interventions is not collected.
Number of Jobcentre Plus offices that have used flexible interventions 2009 April 557 May 470 June 570 July 628 August 627 September 636 October 657 November 687 December 689 2010 January 691 Source: Jobcentre Plus Management Information.
By introducing these flexibilities our level of customer service was not adversely affected whilst customer volumes were rising. For example the suspension of signing in two offices did not lead to a delay in benefits being paid.
I hope this information is helpful.
[holding answer 5 March 2010]: Work Choice will contribute to an increased level of employment for disabled people, particularly (but not exclusively) for customers with learning disabilities and mental health conditions. In this respect, the new programme will deliver against the objectives of Public Service Agreement 16: Socially Excluded Adults.
The Department has worked extensively with a range of stakeholders, including Equality 2025, Cabinet Office (including the Public Service Agreement 16 Working Group) and the Department of Health to provide a range of support to understand and meet the complex needs of people with learning difficulties.
The Department has produced a range of support products, including easy read versions, to assist WORKSTEP providers in communicating the changes to their customers. These products have been designed for support advisers to use as a focus during face to face discussions with individual customers.
As the transition period progresses, further staged products will be introduced via providers to ensure customers are fully supported in their journey from WORKSTEP to Work Choice.
The Department worked extensively with bidding organisations in the early stages of the competition to ensure they understood the Public Service Agreement 16 commitment, integral to the Work Choice design, to support adults most at risk of social exclusion—in particular those with mental health and learning disabilities.
The Department is continuing to work closely with bidding organisations to ensure those with learning difficulties receive appropriate communication materials and the support they need during the transition period.
During the transition period, Work Choice providers will work alongside existing WORKSTEP providers and the Department to ensure a smooth and seamless transition for participants.
Work Choice providers will contact each customer at the earliest opportunity to introduce themselves and further explain the changes to the programme. These discussions will be tailored to best suit customers’ needs and may, for example, entail several discussions with the support of others, where this is appropriate.
In developing the service requirement for the new Work Choice programme, the Project engaged with Disability Employment Advisory Committee, Equality 2025, Cabinet Office (who have PSA16 responsibility), a range of local authorities and a range of local authority representatives. We continue to work closely with all these organisations on implementation issues, through our Implementation Working Group.
As part of the tender evaluation process we ask potential prime contractors to put forward an overall price for the service they are offering. Tenders are evaluated against a combination of quality and price criteria. We do not make any estimate of providers’ average costs. The onus is on providers to submit costs that fully cover the cost of their service.