Recommendation 24

Many people who use Jobcentres have multiple and complex needs, which can act as barriers to them securing employment. Too often, issues that prevent people from finding jobs go unaddressed. Jobcentres and Jobcentre staff will not be able to address these barriers on their own. If DWP is serious about increasing employment, it will need to look beyond employment support and integrate Jobcentres with other services and providers. The voluntary and community sector can help Jobcentres provide more holistic support and can help to reach people who Jobcentres have historically failed. Some Jobcentres already build good partnerships with local organisations, but partnership working is inconsistent across the country and under-utilised. In 2016, a previous Committee concluded that Jobcentres may fail to support vulnerable claimants if they are unable to work with local organisations. This conclusion is only more pressing today. (Conclusion, Paragraph 120)