Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 25
25
Accepted
However, the Department’s routinely collected management information only shows the performance in each of the...
Conclusion
However, the Department’s routinely collected management information only shows the performance in each of the 12 contract package areas, rather than detailing the performance of individual providers. Its management information shows how many people are moving into work in contract areas and how regularly the customer service standards, which aim to stop providers focusing on participants who are easiest to help, are met.50 While a greater proportion of Restart participants are moving into work than the Department had expected at this stage of the contract, customer service standards have not generally been met by providers.51 When we asked the Department whether it could see which subcontractors were doing the best job, it told us that it can “see some of that data”, but set out its view that it is “it is the primes’ job to drive that management” of performance in their own contract areas.52
Government Response Summary
The department will enhance the assessment of provider performance by requiring prime providers to report on the subcontractor each participant is assigned to and will produce relevant MI centrally, starting in Autumn 2024, to be shared with prime providers and the evaluation team.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
5.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Autumn 2024 5.2 The department does collate robust Management Information (MI) to assess how providers are performing at Contract Package Area (CPA) level, noting that the department’s commercial model holds prime providers accountable for their own supply chains. The department’s commitment to continuous improvement, sharing best practice and building on its current processes will be enhanced by the following actions: • Prime providers will report on a simple return, the subcontractor each participant is assigned to. • The department will produce the relevant MI centrally, ensuring the methodology is aligned with their current suite of CPA MI. • Metrics will be: Starts on scheme, First Earnings and Job Outcomes. • The subcontractor MI for each CPA will be circulated to all prime providers monthly for complete transparency, and to facilitate the sharing of best practice. • Subcontractor MI will be shared with the evaluation team to be used as part of their process. 5.3 The department’s evaluation team already capture qualitative data on prime providers and subcontractors as part of their geographical case studies and use MI to select sites to ensure coverage across urban, rural and coastal areas. Standardising data collection at sub- CPA level will allow more precise focus where trends suggest further exploration is needed to understand delivery issues or good practice. This will be included in the department’s evaluation of Restart.