Learning from the research: A qualitative longitudinal study of incapacity benefits recipients taking part in Pathways

1. Learning from the research: A qualitative longitudinal study of incapacity benefits recipients taking part in Pathways to Work Anne Corden and Katharine Nice

2. The presentation Pathways to Work reform Evaluation of the reform Qualitative longitudinal research: a panel of incapacity benefit recipients Main findings and lessons learned

3. Pathways to Work: elements of reform Work focused interview with Personal Adviser Screening to identify people likely to benefit from help Series of five further interviews New teams of Jobcentre Plus personnel �Choices package�: existing services, e.g. NDDP Condition Management Programme Return to Work Credit Adviser Discretionary Fund Extension of scope of Pathways, from February 2005

4. The research consortium Quantitative and qualitative researchers from: Policy Studies Institute, London Social Policy Research Unit, University of York National Centre for Social Research, London Institute for Fiscal Studies, London Mathematica Policy Research Inc. (USA) David Greenberg, University of Maryland, USA

5. The overall evaluation Impact analysis Quantitative elements face-to-face survey telephone surveys Qualitative elements early site visits and discussion groups longitudinal panel study series of short focused studies, e.g. RTWC group discussions, telephone interviews and �matched case studies� Cost benefit analysis

6. The longitudinal client panel study

7. Key findings Experiences and views of the WFIs Experiences of services used in moving towards work Reflections on the difference made in people�s lives Implications for policy

8. Experiences and views of the WFIs Apprehension before attending first WFI Contact with IBPAs; valuable contribution from Advisers Agreement with the principle of attending a WFI; uncertainty about the value of a series of WFIs Making decisions about Choices: perceptions of work and health financial implications knowledge, understanding and expectations about support offered Impact of withdrawal of benefit on taking part in Pathways Practicalities of visiting Jobcentre Plus

9. Experiences of services used in moving towards work Three groups identified: people not thinking about working people already focused on working people who saw work as a possibility for the future Condition Management Programme: considerable interest but few taking part one-to-one sessions helpful to some NDDP Job Brokers: general support and advice helpful when no previous work experience Return to Work Credit: Awareness Mixed experiences Other sources of support

10. Reflections on the difference made in people�s lives Influences on views about work: health was significant Impact of Pathways: impact on people not thinking about working Personal contacts with an Adviser could be useful impact on people focused on working: information and advice smoothing returns to work personal support maintaining morale impact on people thinking about work in the future: CMP and JBs: impact on health or thoughts and behaviour regarding work intentions to return to Jobcentre Plus when circumstances change

11. Implications for policy Key lessons: Health trajectories Timeliness, responding to individual circumstances Lessons about WFIs and the Choices package: approach of Personal Adviser doubts about usefulness of a series of WFIs ending contact with Pathways understanding and applying information about services contact with services can be fragile; need to be proactive gaps: benefits advice, drug and alcohol rehabilitation services, debt management advice