Work Programme: factors associated with differences in the relative effectiveness of prime providers
This research looks at whether characteristics of Work Programme delivery organisations are associated with performance outcomes achieved.
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The characteristics of Work Programme providers analysed as part of this study included:
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the type of support provided
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whether the provider was ‘for profit’ or ‘not for profit’
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the characteristics of the supply chain
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the degree of competition among subcontractors
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the tendency to ‘self-deliver’ rather than subcontract
This research was carried out by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) as part of the national evaluation of the Work Programme.
An important limitation of this study is that it cannot prove cause and effect. In other words, differences in provider characteristics may be associated with, but not responsible for, differences in performance.
DWP is committed to using the results from this report in the continuous improvement of the Work Programme and the design of any future programmes.