Learning and Work Institute undertook an early stage impact assessment of the Working Well (WW) pilot programme on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

The pilot programme operated in Greater Manchester to help long-term benefit claimants with health conditions to move into and stay in work. All participants on the pilot are claimants of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) in the Work Related Activity Group (WRAG), who have completed the two-year maximum time individuals can spend on the Work Programme.

This evaluation investigates whether the WW pilot programme is more effective at helping those it supports to move off benefits and into work compared to the alternative Jobcentre Plus business as usual provision.

The pilot commenced in March 2014 and took referrals up to March 2016. Since clients could receive up to two years of support in finding a job and up to one year of in-work support, the ‘final’ cohort of starters was not due to complete the programme until March 2019.