Work and Health Programme

The Work and Health Programme (WHP) has been designed in line with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) five key objectives as set out in the single Departmental Plan : 2015 to 2020, along with plans for how these will be achieved and measured. They are to:

• run an effective welfare system that enables people to achieve financial independence by providing assistance and guidance into employment;
• increase saving for, and security in, later life;
• create a fair and affordable welfare system which improves the life chances of children and adults;
• deliver outstanding services to our customers and claimants; and
• deliver efficiently: transforming the way we deliver our services to reduce costs and increase efficiency.

DWP will always positively seek to improve and introduce efficiencies in its operations and delivery. DWP will work with the supplier where such improvements impact on processes associated with this Programme.

DWP currently provides additional employment support to those in (or at risk of) long-term unemployment through contracted provision. The largest such contracted provision is the Work Programme. Persons who have a disability with more complex issues are currently assisted by Work Choice, voluntary contracted employment provision which helps participants achieve and stay in employment.Referrals to both the Work Programme and Work Choice are scheduled to end in 2017.

The economic climate and the labour market are considerably stronger than when the Work Programme and Work Choice programmes were designed and introduced.

Given the current labour market conditions the reduced unemployment rate and the improved economic conditions, the contracted employment provision of the future can be smaller and provide more focused support. It will need to provide additional and more intensive support than Jobcentre Plus can offer and deliver sustained employment outcomes above a specified earnings threshold.

The WHP is part of a new Personal Support Package for people with health conditions and disabilities set out in the Work, Health and Disability Green Paper . Making progress on the manifesto ambition to halve the disability employment gap is central to the Government's social reform agenda of building a country and economy that works for everyone.

The WHP will be DWP's new contracted employment provision that will help persons who have a disability, the long term unemployed (LTU) and specified disadvantaged groups to find sustained work. The WHP will target those who are most likely to benefit from the additional support of the programme and will:

• provide additional support that is distinct and additional to that available through Jobcentre Plus;
• predominantly remunerate suppliers on a Payment by Results (PbR) basis in order to drive sustained employment outcomes; and
• support current and future local plans for service integration for individuals who have multiple barriers to work and/or have a disability.