The Evaluation of the Restart Scheme
This report presents findings from an evaluation of the Restart Scheme.
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Research background
The Restart Scheme is an employment support programme that was launched as part of the Plan for Jobs multi-strand policy, providing up to 12 months of support for long-term unemployed people.
We commissioned this research as part of the overall evaluation to:
- provide comprehensive evidence on the effectiveness of the Restart Scheme
- to inform any live running improvements
- shape the design of any potential successor programme
- build the long-term evidence base for how best to design and run similar programmes in the future
The report comprises evidence from:
- a longitudinal quantitative survey with Restart participants and follow-up qualitative interviews
- a quantitative survey with Restart providers
- qualitative case study research with Restart providers, Jobcentre Plus staff, Restart participants, employers, and wider stakeholders
Contribution to the evidence base
The latest official Restart Scheme statistics are available here: Restart Scheme statistics – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and are published twice-yearly to show levels of participation in the scheme, and outcomes against contractual expectations.
Research value
Evidence from this research is being used to improve live running of the Restart Scheme and is feeding into the extension design. Evidence will also feed into the development of options for our future employment programmes. The research will be used in the discussion of new employment pathways and in considering other support initiatives for the long-term unemployed.