Work Programme - note from Alan Cave to Local Authority Partners 23 09 10

To:Strategic Partners                                 From Alan Cave, DWP Delivery Director 

                                                                        Date:  23 Sept 2010

New DWP Framework and engagement on the Work Programme Issue

1.         To update you on the new DWP Framework for Employment Support and give you information on how we will continue to engage positively with strategic partners on the implementation and development of the Work Programme.  We envisage a similar engagement approach for other future contracts called off from the Framework. 

Background

2.         You will be aware that the Government intends to launch the Work Programme next year as a single unified welfare to work programme replacing a wide range of existing programmes. We are in the process of putting in place a framework of accredited suppliers whom we will invite to tender for future Welfare to Work contracts, including the Work Programme.  The framework will be in place in November and we will be issuing an Invitation to Tender for the Work Programme to the framework suppliers in December.  The Work Programme will be implemented nationally by Summer 2011.

3.         Our plans for future engagement with you reflect the tight timescales involved, the flexible ‘black box’ nature of the Work Programme and the fact that the new framework will be accessible to other Government bodies.  We have also taken account of experiences to date with localisation arrangements.

Key points

4.         Whilst we fully support the localism agenda and are working closely with a number of Local Authorities and other partners to support the alignment of services, we are not able to devolve the funding or commissioning of the Work Programme. Our approach to localism and worklessness goes beyond devolution of functions and funding. We believe real localism lies in shaping policies around individuals wherever they live.

5.         We are designing the Work Programme to focus on individual needs and will be offering stronger incentives for suppliers to work with the harder to help. This approach is critical to the task of securing the best possible deal for both the individual and the taxpayer. But in order to meet the specific needs of each individual in every locality, it will be crucial that the Work Programme suppliers work effectively with partners to join up provision and overcome barriers.  The following paragraphs highlight the key points to note at this stage regarding our plans for engagement with you.

Focus on support to bidders

6.         The specification for the Work Programme will not be prescriptive, thereby leaving maximum flexibility for the bidders to develop innovative tenders which meet the needs of specific localities.  Bidders will be encouraged to work closely with you and other key local stakeholders to fully understand the local picture and the existing provision so they can develop good quality proposals. This requirement will be fully reflected in the Work Programme Framework specification as an important aspect of any bid.

7.         We are therefore keen to utilise and focus your support on engagement with bidders.  Jobcentre Plus colleagues will be working with partners over the autumn to develop local supporting information which will go into the Work Programme tender packs, and agree arrangements for supporting bidders on local issues.  

8.         We will not ask for your support in the assessment of tenders in order to enable you to focus on this important bidder support without impairment and therefore we will not be putting Ethical walls in place.  To ensure local issues are recognised, we will however be working with Jobcentre Plus during the tender assessment stage to obtain local input, which will be informed by their regular engagement with local partners.

9.         Going forward, a strong ongoing relationship between Jobcentre Plus, our selected suppliers, and local partners will be key to the successful delivery of the programme.  

Different approach to ‘co-commissioning’

10.       We remain keen to work with you to join up services at a local level to achieve an aligned range of services in any locality.

11.       The new Framework will replace the previous co-commissioning approach in which local partners provided part funding to DWP contracts. 

Once the Work Programme contracts are in place and it is clearer what each supplier is delivering, we will be happy to talk to you through Jobcentre Plus about any gaps you identify and your available funding.  If you wish, we will then be able to facilitate you using your funds to put in place additional support via our Framework. We are currently developing processes for partners to access the Framework and further guidance will be communicated shortly.    

All contact via Jobcentre Plus

12.       Jobcentre Plus Customer Service Directors (CSDs) will lead on the localisation issues and they and their teams will be your primary point of contact.  They have received a copy of this note and will be in touch with you shortly to discuss engagement arrangements in more detail. 

13.       Your input to date has been invaluable in ensuring that our contracts support the specific customer needs in each locality and are joined up with other local provision.  I hope that we will have your continued support to help us make the Work Programme a success.

Alan Cave