Welfare to Work Services

The United Kingdom Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) procures a wide range of training and support for Jobseekers, unemployed people, people with disabilities and others who may need extra help in finding work.
Information on this provision is available on the DWP’s Jobcentre Plus website at http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/.

In July 2009, HMIE and DWP signed a Partnership Agreement under which HMIE will undertake external quality assurance of DWP provision, starting with Provider Led Pathways and then new provision as it is rolled out in Scotland. The agreement between HMIE and DWP is available here.

HMIE’s role in this area of work will mirror the roles south of the border of Ofsted and of Estyn, the Welsh Inspectorate of Education and Training. The three Inspectorates will use approaches that meet DWP’s requirements for a consistent quality assurance regime across the UK, but each inspectorate will tailor these approaches to align with its own quality frameworks and evaluation processes in other sectors.

HMIE have developed a handbook outlining the process and framework to be used for the inspection of DWP employability programmes in Scotland.
HMIE Handbook for Inspection of Employability Programmes, November 2009

Until the end of 2009, HMIE will undertake development work on its framework and procedures, train and recruit staff, and deliver awareness raising and capacity building activity for providers and DWP staff in Scotland. The first inspections, of Provider Led Pathways, will be in early 2010 and will be followed by inspections of Flexible New Deal.

Getting ready for a Provider Led Pathways (PLP) inspection