Job Centres are not adequately meeting the needs of jobseekers, according to a new survey released last week. 

The report from the think tank, Policy Exchange, is entitled: ‘Personalised welfare: rethinking employment support and jobcentres’. 

According to the report: 

• Only 29% of claimants say they are satisfied with their experience at Jobcentre Plus (JCP).
• JCP’s job search database is severely dysfunctional. 

The research, conducted by Policy Exchange on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), also found that employers reported “very negative” experiences with “really inappropriate” candidates sent for interviews. 

The report claims JCPs advisers are hamstrung by poor use of information, which gives them only very basic information about the claimants they are trying to help. 

Policy Exchange say an effective and personalised employment service rather than a benefits office would be of greater help to those looking for work. 

CommunityLink would be used to target this sort of support at those with the greatest needs from day one of a benefit claim, replicating the Australian model which focuses on making a detailed profile of claimants’ needs and underlying problems. 

Posted by Beth O’Shea

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