The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has published new research reports scrutinising the effectiveness of its Access to Work scheme, a flagship initiative aimed at supporting disabled individuals in securing or retaining employment. The studies – commissioned by the DWP – aim to provide an in-depth look at the programme's current operation and explore methods for assessing its long-term impact.
A key report, 'Journeys to Access to Work', sheds light on the experiences of applicants and employers interacting with the scheme. Conducted by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), this qualitative study investigated how individuals and businesses become aware of Access to Work, factors influencing application decisions, and how personal circumstances and employer engagement shape their journey through the programme.
The research involved extensive depth interviews with applicants, their employers, contracted providers of workplace assessments, and DWP staff responsible for decision-making on recommendations and grants. These interviews aimed to understand the application process and identify where and how Access to Work makes a tangible difference to individuals' working lives. The insights gathered will inform decisions on potential improvements to the programme's delivery and effectiveness.
A further significant component of the DWP's published findings is a study on the 'Feasibility of evaluating the impact of the Access to Work programme'. This report, also authored by NatCen, considers whether a robust impact evaluation of Access to Work can be undertaken. It provides recommendations on the best approach for developing and conducting a technically complex analytical cost-benefit and impact assessment of the scheme.
Access to Work provides grants to pay for practical support if an individual has a disability, health condition, or mental health condition that affects their ability to do their job. This can include specialist equipment, adaptations to a vehicle, a support worker, or communication support at interviews. The DWP's ongoing review underscores its commitment to ensuring the programme effectively meets the needs of disabled people and employers across the UK.