Welfare to Work body says welfare reform must continue but requires new form of partnership
WELFARE TO WORK BODY SAYS WELFARE REFORM MUST CONTINUE BUT REQUIRES NEW FORM OF PARTNERSHIP
ERSA (the Employment Related Services Association) has called for the Government to continue with welfare reforms, insisting the current economic climate makes it “more important than ever” that those furthest from the labour market are helped.
But the Association warned that the success of Flexible New Deal hinged on forging a new style of partnership between DWP, Jobcentre Plus and providers.
Amanda McIntyre, Director of ERSA, said:
"For people who will have been unemployed for at least a year, the personalised
and flexible support at the heart of flexible new deal cannot come soon enough. Yet the FND timescales are tight and labour market conditions are uncertain.
"DWP and Jobcentre Plus will need to demonstrate their full commitment to work in a new style of partnership with providers, to share and manage the operational and commercial risks of setting up and delivering Flexible New Deal.
"ERSA welcomes the decision to guarantee more up-front payment to providers in the first 18 months.
"ERSA stresses that providers need confidence now that the outcome targets, payment terms and service delivery arrangements agreed at the 18 month review point will create conditions under which they can achieve the best possible outcomes for customers for the remainder of their contracts."