In 2011, the UK government simplified and streamlined the welfare-to-work industry by reducing the number of employment programmes being delivered while increasing the scope and size of its existing programmes. At the core of these changes is the Work Programme - a single, integrated package of support to help thousands of unemployed people move into lasting work.
In June 2011, Ingeus commenced delivering seven Work Programme contracts as prime contractor in the following regions:
• East of England
• East Midlands
• West London
• North East
• Cumbria, Lancashire, Merseyside & Halton
• Scotland
• West Yorkshire
We also deliver the programme as a subcontractor in the West Midlands. All of our contracts are delivered in partnership with an extensive Partner Network – a highly skilled supply chain of third, public and private sector organisations.
In addition to being the largest provider of the Work Programme in the UK, we also use our specialist skill and expertise to assist people through Work Choice and Jobcentre Plus Support Contracts.
Significant contracts up to June 2011
Prior to the introduction of the Work Programme, we delivered the following programmes in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions to assist people on unemployment and health related benefits:
- Flexible New Deal - Flexible New Deal was a fundamental part of the former UK government’s welfare reform plans. This contract introduced the prime provider model and was delivered in close partnership with Jobcentre Plus and a network of subcontractors from the private and voluntary sectors. The programme supported people who had been unemployed for more than 12 months.
- Pathways to Work - In December 2007, we began delivering this programme in an unprecedented six Jobcentre Plus Districts. Over three years, we supported almost 100,000 people on health-related benefits to find work.
- Employment Zones – This programme was phased out throughout 2010, initially as part of the introduction of Flexible New Deal and then as part of the government's Work Programme. Developed to assist people from some of the most deprived areas of the UK, we were contracted to provide employment services in five areas.
- Private Sector Led New Deal - The company commenced operations in the UK in 2002, delivering the Private Sector Led (PSL) New Deal programme which was born out of the government’s desire to attract new and innovative approaches to assisting people on unemployment benefits back into the workforce. Delivered in partnership with the UK’s public employment service, Jobcentre Plus, PSL New Deal was contracted to private/voluntary sector providers in ten areas, where it was determined such organisations could make the greatest difference. Ingeus, then known as WorkDirections UK, was awarded two contracts to assist people in the London areas of Westminster and Hammersmith.
