Written question asked by Liam Byrne (Labour) on Thursday, 1 March 2012, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 5 March 2012. It was answered by Lord Grayling (Conservative) on Thursday, 8 March 2012 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Work Programme

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department has taken to guarantee the quality of Work programme placements.

Answer: Work programme providers have the flexibility to innovate and to design support that addresses the specific needs of the individual and the local labour market, rather than having to follow one-size-fits all processes dictated by Whitehall. This flexibility includes placements.The Work programme is a payment by results scheme therefore providers have an incentive to only support activities, including high quality work placements, which enable participants get and keep work. Along with this providers have standards setting out the minimum service that all participants must receive in their contracts.If the claimant feels they have hot received adequate support or are otherwise dissatisfied with their placement they can use the strengthened complaints process that has been introduced for the Work programme. In the first instance a complaint should be raised directly to their provider though their formal complaints process. Complaints not resolved can be escalated for independent review.

Secondary information