Dataset: Work and Health Programme Starts

Field: Eligibility Group

Description

This field shows the Eligibility Group of the individual. The individual is eligible to participate in the Work and Health Programme if they are part of one of the following 3 groups:

Disability Group

The Disability Group is voluntary for disabled people, as defined by the Equality Act 2010. This is the main group the Work and Health Programme is aimed at.

Early Access Group

The Early Access Group is voluntary and aimed at people who may need additional support to move into employment and are in one of a number of priority groups:

• ex-offender or offender
• carer
• ex-carer
• homeless person
• former member HM Armed Forces
• member HM Armed Forces Reserves
• partner of current or former Armed Forces personnel
• drug or alcohol dependencies (presenting as a barrier to employment)
• care leaver
• refugee
• young people in gangs and victims of domestic violence

Some areas have added additional groups to the Early Access Group, in line with local priorities.

Long-term Unemployed Group

The Long-term Unemployed Group is mandatory and is for Jobseeker’s Allowance or Universal Credit claimants who have reached 24 months of unemployment.

During the COVID-19 pandemic up until May 2022, mandatory referrals to the WHP for the Long-term Unemployed (LTU) group were suspended. However, some WHP places were available if a Jobcentre Plus work coach considered this to be beneficial for a claimant. In October 2022 they were suspended again. The labour market employment support landscape has changed with the launch of the 'Plan for Jobs', including the Restart Scheme. From November 2022 any LTU, defined as 9 months unemployed, will be considered for the Restart Scheme first.

Classification

Eligibility Group is available in the following classifications:

• Disability Group

• Early Access Group

• Long-term Unemployed Group

Total number of categories: 3

Quality Statement

For more information on the Eligibility Group please see the background information here.

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