Written question asked by Paul Rowen (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 26 February 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 3 March 2010. It was answered by Jonathan Shaw (Labour) on Monday, 8 March 2010 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Employment Schemes

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether she has set a target time in which participants in the Work Choice programme move into unsupported employment; whether an individual target direction is determined for each programme participant; and in what ways a participant's individual circumstances are taken into account in Work Choice programme timetables.

Answer: [holding answer 3 March 2010]: There are no individual time constraints in which Work Choice participants are expected to move into unsupported employment. We will expect providers to focus on helping customers progress into sustainable open employment, wherever possible.Support provided by Work Choice will be tailored to the individual needs of the customer. We want customers who need supported employment to get more consistent, quality support that helps them progress at work and ultimately into unsupported employment, where appropriate.Work Choice providers and employers will work with the customer and agree an individual development plan, which is at the heart of their relationship. It is a living document, which will be reviewed regularly and adapted to the changing needs of the customer over what may be a long-term relationship, in order to help them progress in their career and stay in work.

Secondary information