Research and analysis

An evaluation of the Group Work (JOBS II) trial

These reports present the findings from the evaluation of the Group Work Trial. The intervention is known as JOBS II internationally.

• From: Department for Work and Pensions
• Published: 20 July 2021
• Last updated: 17 May 2022 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

Summary: An evaluation of the Group Work/JOBS II evaluation

HTML

Evaluation Synthesis Report

Ref: ISBN 978-1-78659-264-4, RR991

HTML

Technical report on the impacts of the trial

Ref: ISBN 978-1-78659-263-7, RR988

HTML

Process evaluation technical report

Ref: ISBN 978-1-78659-261-3, RR989

HTML

Cost benefit analysis technical report

Ref: ISBN 978-1-78659-263-7, RR990

HTML

Evaluation Synthesis Report

Ref: ISBN 978-1-78659-264-4, RR991

PDF, 2.33 MB, 98 pages

Technical report on the impacts of the trial

Ref: ISBN 978-1-78659-263-7, RR988

PDF, 1.23 MB, 117 pages

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Process evaluation technical report

Ref: ISBN 978-1-78659-261-3, RR989

PDF, 1.71 MB, 180 pages

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Cost benefit analysis technical report

Ref: ISBN 978-1-78659-263-7, RR990

PDF, 490 KB, 57 pages

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Details

The Group Work Trial was a Randomised Control Trial conducted between January 2017 and March 2018, with a supporting process evaluation and cost benefit analysis. The trial was carried out following the recommendation in the 2014 report Psychological Wellbeing and Work – Improving Service Provision and Outcomes in order to test the effectiveness of JOBS II in the UK labour market context.

JOBS II is a 20-hour specialised job-search skills workshop delivered over a working week for benefit claimants struggling with job-search, which has been found to have employment, mental health and well-being benefits in other countries.

It was one of a number interventions being trialled by the Department for Work and Pensions and Department of Health and Social Care Joint Work and Health Unit to build the evidence base on what interventions work best to support those with health issues move into or retain work.

A commitment to carry out a ‘Group Work’ trial was set out in The Improving Lives: The Work, Health and Disability Green Paper.

A pilot study was carried out prior to this Trial:

Evaluation of the Group Work Psychological Wellbeing and Work Feasibility Pilot

The findings from the impact and process evaluations and the cost benefit analysis of the trial are covered in the three technical reports, while the synthesis report integrates these research findings and sets out policy and practice implications, supporting the growing evidence base of what works to support those with health issues move into or retain work.

Published 20 July 2021
Last updated 17 May 2022 + show all updates

1. 17 May 2022

   Added Accessible versions (HTML) of: Group Work/JOBS II: Process evaluation technical report and Cost benefit analysis technical report.

2. 20 July 2021

   First published.