What makes work search reviews effective?
This synthesis report presents the findings from qualitative research by the Department for Work and Pensions aiming to understand what are the necessary components of work search review meetings (WSRs) for them to be considered effective from the perspective of work coaches and claimants.
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Work search review meetings (WSRs) are mandatory meetings between work coaches and claimants as part of the conditionality requirements for receiving Universal Credit (UC). There is comprehensive prior evidence that WSRs reduce the time spent on benefit but there is an evidence gap around the reasons why WSRs are effective and whether this holds true under the modern UC regime.
This synthesis report brings together findings from strands of research investigating what makes WSRs successful in a UC setting.
The research included:
- a literature review of national and international evidence
- a Theory of Change and COM-B model
- observations of WSR meetings
- primary qualitative research involving in-depth interviews with claimants and work coaches
- case studies of face-to-face, video, and telephone WSRs
Overall, an effective WSR meeting relies on good rapport and a tailored approach from the work coach, taking into account the claimant’s barriers, skills, motivation and aspiration, and providing support in a positive and encouraging manner, while also challenging the claimant’s beliefs about what they can achieve.