A government-funded pilot of hyperlocal job support in 10 neighbourhoods across England has shown promising early signs of effectiveness, including for young people, and could be scaled up nationwide, according to a new evaluation.
JobsPlus Scheme Overview
The JobsPlus scheme, backed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Youth Futures Foundation, focuses intensive support in small areas of predominantly social housing. Echoing a similar long-established scheme in the United States, community champions at each site help engage hard-to-reach people locally. Residents of social housing are almost twice as likely to be unemployed as the general population, and many participants face barriers such as caring responsibilities or health conditions.
Support Services
JobsPlus caseworkers provide one-to-one support, financial help for interview clothing or transport, and connections with local employers, Jobcentre Plus offices, or NHS services. The evaluation found that the pilots were engaging residents typically further from the labour market who may require longer and more intensive support before achieving employment outcomes.
Positive Outcomes
Between July 2024 and December last year, 27% of over 1,000 participants achieved a positive employment outcome, mostly moving from unemployment into a job, with a few finding better jobs. Participants reported improvements in mental health, including reduced anxiety, low mood, and social isolation, alongside improved resilience. Many felt these improvements were essential precursors to applying for roles or sustaining work.
Youth Engagement
About 31% of participants are aged 16-24, compared with 12% of local people in eligible locations. This is significant as the number of 16- to 24-year-olds not in employment, education, or training (NEET) has exceeded 1 million for the first time in a decade. Former minister Alan Milburn is reviewing this issue for the government and highlighted the scale of the problem in his interim report last month.
Expert and Government Reactions
Stephen Evans, chief executive of the Learning and Work Institute which runs the pilots, said: “With over a million young people now estimated to not be in education, employment or training, it’s time to move from analysis to action. We welcome findings that the hyperlocal approach of JobsPlus offers that chance of action: proactively finding and supporting young people in their local communities, and offering wrap-around support that understands them as people.”
The 10 pilot schemes are in locations including Stockton-on-Tees, Toxteth and Wirral on Merseyside, and Penge in south London, funded by DWP until next March. Employment minister Diana Johnson said: “Too many young people are currently not accessing the support that exists to help them, and that must change. That’s why we are backing innovative approaches like JobsPlus, which works directly with local communities to find and support young people.” She added that JobsPlus complements the youth guarantee by reaching those who have fallen furthest from the system.
Scalability and Bonus
The evaluation by the independent Institute for Employment Studies said the scheme could be scaled up nationally. One aspect of the pilots is a £400 “into work bonus” for those who find a job and remain employed for two months. The evaluation found this was useful but not central to achieving successful outcomes.
