What works to support disadvantaged groups into employment? By disadvantage we mean claimants with more complex needs and backgrounds such as, refugees, ex-offenders, care leavers/care experienced and those with experience of substance dependency or homelessness.

Background

Improving employment outcomes is central to DWP’s role in supporting opportunity, financial security and economic growth. Understanding what works, for whom and in what contexts, alongside emerging trends is essential. We want to understand how to support people to enter work, remain in work, progress in work and access the skills, training and support they need across life stages, careers and local labour markets. Understanding the barriers to, and enablers of, entering employment, sustaining employment, and in-work progression across our priority groups is central to this, alongside explaining how interactions between services across the wider support system shape outcomes. This is particularly important in the context of the increasing devolution of employment support to regional and local government (which the DWP and ESRC-funded 'What Works Centre for Local Employment Support' in particular is intended to support).

Next steps

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