Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 14
14
The only formal requirements for young people going into Kickstart jobs are that they are...
Conclusion
The only formal requirements for young people going into Kickstart jobs are that they are aged 16 to 24, claiming Universal Credit, and seeking work.55 The Department issues its front-line work coaches with guidance about the types of people who might be most suitable for a Kickstart role, and then asks work coaches to use their judgement and discretion to refer young people for Kickstart job interviews. Young people should be referred when their work coach deems them ‘opportunity ready’, a good fit for an available Kickstart job, and when the young person agrees to the referral.56 The Department says that work coaches’ discretion is fundamental to the way that jobcentres operate, and that work coaches use their relationships with, and understanding of claimants to ensure that the young people going onto Kickstart jobs are those who would have found it difficult to find work otherwise.57 The Department told us that over 100,000 young people have been given opportunities, that it does not think they would otherwise have had, through Kickstart.58
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 4.2 However, the department disagrees with the assertion of the committee that the department has no way of knowing if work coaches are referring the right young people to employers. Management Information is fundamental to the design and implementation of the department's support for customers and to monitor their outcomes. The department uses insights drawn from Management Information to frame and refresh the guidance issued to work coaches. 4.3 The current Quality Assurance Framework assesses appropriate targeting of referrals and Management Information is also used to support performance discussions with work 22 coaches. Work coach discretion is fundamental to the department’s approach to supporting people into employment. They are best placed to understand the personal circumstances of the customers on their caseload. Using a tailored approach, work coaches are empowered to identify the right support for the customer, using appropriate interventions to support them either closer to or into work, where they are able to work. In delivering the Kickstart Scheme, the department has used insights and analysis of the characteristics of claimants to refine work coach guidance and leadership engagement about scheme suitability and eligibility.