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Workstep

Answer

All Department for Work and Pensions contracts, including Workstep, are managed using a standard contract management operating model involving review of performance, delivery and quality of service to customers. This includes monthly monitoring of performance, formal provider performance reviews and assessment of quality of provision. In addition, external inspection and validation also ensures the quality and accuracy of Workstep providers.The Department for Work and Pensions assesses the effectiveness of all Workstep providers, including charitable organisations, by following the standard contract management processes. A performance improvement plan would be agreed with the provider if the terms of the contract were not being met.Workstep providers are required under the terms of Department for Work and Pensions contracts to cover all disabilities and health conditions and this is checked as part of the contract management arrangements. In addition, Workstep providers with a contract value over £50,000 are accredited by an external organisation on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions. These accreditation checks include compliance with diversity and equal opportunities policies in respect of Jobcentre Plus customers and providers' staff, including non-discrimination on grounds of gender, ethnicity, disability, religion or belief. This also includes compliance with the requirement to make 'reasonable adjustments' within the meaning of the Disability Discrimination Act.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

490 c623-4W;490 c619-20W; 261783

Session

2008-09

Subjects

Workstep

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk