Job Centre Plus

1.1: The Job Centre Plus provides support and information about work, benefits, training, childcare and tax credits. It promotes ‘work as the best form of welfare’, targets assistance to those facing the greatest barriers to work, and ensures that benefit claimants fulfill their responsibilities.

1.2: Targets, set by the Sect. Of State for Work and Pensions, are published in its annual business plan and are based around, for example, job outcomes, employer outcomes, processing benefit claims, and cutting benefit fraud.

1.3: Through the Job Centre Plus there are three ways to conduct a job-search and get advice and assistance in finding a job. Firstly, there is an online service; secondly, a job search can be conducted by telephone; and thirdly, individuals can go to their local branch and use the touch-screen ‘Jobpoints’ to search for jobs, and receive practical advice and support in Programme Centres including, for example, training and essential materials for job search (such as stamps, envelopes, access to IT equipment etc).

1.4: Job Centre Plus also runs ‘Work Trail’, essentially a 15 day job trial with the possibility of a job offer, and can provide advice and assistance in organising apprenticeships for people aged 16-24. In terms of training and further education, Job Centre Plus provides theWorktrain website, allowing individuals to obtain information on training opportunities and the kind of work and skills required in different occupations. A partner organisation, ‘Learn Direct’also provides details of over 1 million courses.There are a variety of different ways for jobseekers to train, develop new skills, and build on existing skills, for example through National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ’s) or assistance with basic skills for employment and help with literacy and numeracy. In terms of financial assistance for training, some young people may be eligible for a training allowance, and for those on the New Deal who participate on an approved training course, certain individuals may qualify for a training premium payment on top of any existing benefit.

1.5: For under 18’s in England, it is suggested that Connexions may be more suitable than Job Centre Plus as theyprovide career advice and support targeted to this age group.

1.6: For 18-24 year olds, the New Deal for Young People provides a personal adviser delivering one-to-one support and advice, assisting in job search, improving employability prospects, and identifying and assisting with any additional barriers to work that young people may be experiencing.

1.7: Job Centre Plus also provide support and assistance for those who want to move off benefits and become self employed. They provide a training course in three stages delivered by specialists in self-employment; beginning with an assessment of likely success of the business idea by a consultant and awareness training into the nature of self-employment; 8 weeks guidance in setting up the business which should result in a business plan being drawn up; and a test trading period for up to 26 weeks and support for up to 2 years until trading independently.

1.8: In terms of the benefits and financial help into work the Job Centre Plus provides, there are two types of Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)both contributory (an allowance based on National Insurance contributions) and income based (which aims to ensure that an individual or family has no less than a minimum level of income) which require the recipient to enter a Job Seekers Agreement, where they must meet regularly with a personal adviserfor a work-focused interview and sign a declaration signed at least every two weeks regarding job seeking activity; must be able to start work immediately (i.e. within 24 hours, unless the individual has caring responsibilities where 48 hours is allowed, or is involved with voluntary work where one week is allowed); and must demonstrate they areactively seeking work, and show the steps they are taking in increasing their employability.

1.9:Income Support providesassistance with day-to-day living costs if an individual is on a low income, provided the individual works no more than 16 hours a week and has savings of no more than £8,000.

1.10: Incapacity Benefit (IB) provides a replacement income if an individual becomes sick or disabled and has to stop working or looking for work as a result.It is based on National Insurance contributions, or if an individual was sick or disabled when aged 16 to 20 (25 if they were in education or training before age 20) they may be able to claim under the youth provisions of Incapacity Benefit.

1.11:Disability/ Attendance Allowance is designed for people with severe disabilities whether they are in work or not and provides for the extra costs associated with their disability, comprising both a personal care and mobility allowance.

1.12: Housing Benefit andCouncil Tax Benefit are both provided for people on low incomes to assist with rent and council tax payments. Paid for by local councils, they can be provided irrespective of an individual being on any other benefits.

1.13: The Social Fund provides funding for those on low incomes who meet relevant conditions for one-off expenses that are hard to deal with out of normal income such as furnishing a home, new children or travel, and crisis loans.

1.14: Various initiatives in respect to childcareand Sure Startbring together a range of support in childcare, early education, health and family support. Sure Start has been working to increase the number of registered childcare places available for children, making it easier for parents to get back into (and stay in) work, education or training.

1.15:Job Centre Plus state that individuals may have to give up some benefits if they secure a job, but other kinds of in-work support is available, for example the Working Tax Credit, essentially where individuals pay less tax if they meet certain conditions; Job Grant, a tax-free, one-off payment of between £100 and £250 for couples with children; and Mortgage Interest Run-on, Council Tax Extended Payment and Housing Benefit Extended Payment which all provide assistance for people who lose benefits when they start work.

1.16: For employers, the Job Centre Plus vacancy filling service is provided at no direct cost, as long as it pays the national minimum wage, is not deemed unsuitable under central guidelines, if the job includes any element in breach of the law. Employers are under no obligation to interview or employ anyone who has been referred to them by Job Centre Plus.

All information taken from:

  • Job Centre Plus (2005) A Guide for People Out of Work(London, DWP).
  • Job Centre Plus (2005) A Guide for Disable People, those with Health Conditions and Carers (London, DWP).
  • Job Centre Plus (2006) A Guide to Incapacity Benefit: Information for New Customers (London, DWP).
  • Job Centre Plus (2006) Jobseeker’s Allowance (London, DWP).
  • Job Centre Plus (2006) While Claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (London, DWP).
  • Job Centre Plus (2007) A Guide for Lone Parents (London, DWP).
  • Job Centre Plus (2005) A Guide for People Leaving School and College (London, DWP).
  • Job Centre Plus (2006) Ever Thought of Working for Yourself? (London, DWP).