Projects

Review of evidence of effectiveness of different approaches to 'work first' activation policies, to try to inform future delivery of UK employment services. Project will comprise a rapid review of evaluations of ‘work first’ interventions, development of a typology for defining ‘work first’ support, and then an assessment of the impact and effectiveness of each type of approach.

The GLA wishes to understand the scale and nature of mental health needs in its FE student population. This is a much under-researched area, althought evidence from earlier and later phases of education suggest these needs require consideration. IES will lead a programme of qualitative and quantitative research which will seek to provide information on the scale and nature of needs, as well as effective practices that FE institutions have put in place to address these.

IES is working in partnership with CAG Consultants to deliver research and a policy review to underpin the development of an Inclusive Growth Strategy for the London Borough of Lewisham. IES is providing expert insight on education, skill and labour market policy.

In partnership with Natcen and the Pensions Policy Institute, we are designing, delivering and analysing a new household survey with people aged 40 to 74 to explore planning and preparing for later life. The survey will explore how individual’s choices are affected by legislation, the employment context, and personal preferences and circumstances. It will be a source of evidence about the impact of new pension’s flexibilities, evidence to inform the Fuller Working Lives agenda and measures to support and encourage people to stay in work for longer, and develop the evidence base around the self-employed and planning for later life.

IES will deliver an evidence-based assessment of ‘what works’ in tackling youth worklessness amongst those young people most distant from the labour market who face multiple disadvantages. This will include an assessment of the strength of evidence to supply a practical resource and a starting point for identifying future priorities for YFF, and evidence gaps. The method comprises a ‘review of reviews’, combined with an REA and call for evidence/grey literature.

IES with Locus will conduct an evaluation of the Department for Communities’ disability employment programmes. The study consists of: a desk review of business cases and previous evaluations, developing theories of change for six programmes, interim report (IES); depth programme evaluations of six disability programmes and rapid review of 17 ESF funded projects (Locus); impact and value for money analysis (IES associate) andn synthesis reporting.

This project involves developing a dedicated screening tool (self-report questionnaire) specifically designed to recognise and support employees at risk of job absence or loss as a result of anxiety and depression. This questionnaire, similar to other work instability scales, will enable HR, occupational health and line managers to work collaboratively with employees at risk in order to identify specific adjustments that could help people to remain in work, well before they reach the point of being unable to work as a result of their mental health condition.

This project involves developing a dedicated screening tool (self-report questionnaire) specifically designed to recognise and support employees at risk of job absence or loss as a result of anxiety and depression. This questionnaire, similar to other work instability scales, will enable HR, occupational health and line managers to work collaboratively with employees at risk in order to identify specific adjustments that could help people to remain in work, well before they reach the point of being unable to work as a result of their mental health condition.

This project is a pilot evaluation of an intervention using the Early Years Toolbox developed by Professor Melhish as an assessment tool for early years practitioners alongside additional support from Action for Children. The intervention seeks to improve practitioner practice, behaviour and confidence in targeting support for children in language, numeracy, social development and self-regulation and ultimately to lead to improvements in child outcomes. This evaluation will include theory of change workshops, nursery case studies, telephone interviews, practitioner online surveys, observations of training and child outcome data analysis.

In partnership with Ecorys Netherlands and on behalf of the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (EASME), we will explore the productivity and business benefits of occupational health and safety (OSH) good practice in the construction sector. The project as a whole will give particular focus to smaller employers who do not always perceive a link between OSH and their bottom-line. IES will contribute UK case-study fieldwork and will lead on an evidence-mapping (desk review) exercise. This work builds on our analysis of the links between wellbeing and productivity, on behalf of EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation.