JobsPlus interim evaluation findings: translating place-based employment support

Background

Economic inactivity remains one of the most persistent challenges in the UK labour market. One in four working-age adults who are economically inactive live in social housing, yet many are not engaged with any form of employment support. This highlights a critical gap in provision, one that demands targeted, locally responsive solutions.

In response, the Get Britain Working White Paper (2024) called for integrated, place-based services to address economic inactivity, poor health, and skills gaps. JobsPlus is one such intervention: a community-led employment programme designed to meet residents where they are, physically, socially, and economically. It combines on-site employment services, peer and community support, and financial incentives to help people move into and progress in work.

Originally evaluated in the United States, JobsPlus demonstrated that partnerships between landlords, tenants, and local services can lead to sustained employment outcomes. The UK pilot builds on this evidence, adapting the model to ten housing association-led sites selected for their high levels of worklessness and varied geographic contexts.

Learning and Work Institute (L&W) is leading the programme, working in collaboration with Communities that Work. The Institute for Employment Studies (IES) is leading the evaluation of the pilot programme in England, with additional support from MDRC, the US-based research organisation behind the conception of JobsPlus, and nine housing associations.

Event Summary

This webinar marks a key moment in the national evaluation of the JobsPlus model. It presented emerging evidence from the first year of delivery to explore how the model is being implemented across ten housing association sites. At a time when local authorities and housing providers are being asked to deliver more inclusive employment support, this session offered timely insights into what’s working, what’s challenging and what lessons can be drawn for future policy and programme design

The session included a Q&A panel chaired by Naomi Clayton, CEO of IES, and featured short reflections from the original developer of the JobsPlus model in the US, Jim Riccio, MDRC, offering an international perspective on its design and adaption. This was followed by contributions from John Hall, West Midlands Combined Authority, programme funders, Clare Owens, Department for Work and Pensions and  Chris Mitchell, Youth Futures Foundation, who shared their views on the pilot’s progress and priorities for the next phase of delivery and evaluation.

How did participants benefit from attending?

Delegates gained an understanding of:

  • The principles and practice of the JobsPlus model
  • What successful delivery looks like, and why it matters
  • Opportunities to inform future commissioning and strategy development
  • Lessons for building inclusive, community-led employment support

Event Details

14:00  Welcome and agenda

14:05  Presentation of the JobsPlus interim evaluation report

14:25  Panel discussion

14:50  Audience Q&A

14:55  Closing remarks

Slides

Presentation slides can be downloaded from here.

Recording

A recording of the event is available below.