Evaluation of Access to Work – Core Evaluation

This report presents the findings from qualitative research to evaluate Access to Work (AtW) a programme designed for people with long-term health conditions who need extra practical support to take up work or to do their job.

The report presents an overall evaluation of AtW. Its key findings are:

Customers found out about AtW from a number of sources, but in no systematic way. Awareness was low amongst employers and patchy amongst Jobcentre Plus staff.
There were high levels of support for the AtW application process and high levels of satisfaction with the assessment process, Business Centres and staff.
Customers received a broad range of support from AtW, and customers and employers were happy with the amount and quality of support overall.
Customers and employers reported a number of positive impacts related to AtW, including: reduced levels of sickness and absenteeism, provision of a level playing field, saving customers work-related expense, increased well-being and productivity, and improved staff retention.

This evaluation has two other elements:

An exploration of the inclusion of AtW within Individual Budget pilot areas.
An exploration of the effects of the decision that Ministerial Government Departments (MGD) should pay for their AtW adjustments.