Monitoring Distance Travelled: Findings from the Pilot and the Way Forward

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Monitoring Distance Travelled Findings from the
Pilot and the Way Forward

• James Lowrey and Sarah Culshaw, CPP
• Janine Pearson, NCC

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James Lowrey, Centre for Public Policy

• Overview and Findings from the Pilot

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Distance Travelled Definition

• The progress customers make in terms of
• achieving soft outcomes that lead towards
• sustained employment or associated hard
• outcomes as a result of participating in the
• WORKSTEP programme and against an
• initial baseline set on joining it.
• (DWP, 2003)

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Why WORKSTEP needed a DT Approach

• 2005 WORKSTEP Programme Evaluation.
• Found
• Range of personal, social and softer
  achievements being experienced but not being
  recorded.
• Only formal measure of progress was progression
  to open employment.
• Recommended
• Development of DT Approach to monitor progression
  within the Programme.

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Why Monitor Distance Travelled?

• Disadvantaged customers may be less likely to
  achieve hard outcomes.
• Monitoring hard outcomes alone may miss more
  subtle impacts / benefits of a programme.
• Monitoring soft outcomes better captures
  progress.
• Good for customer confidence and self esteem.
• Good for support worker motivation.
• Good for programme development.
• Good evidence for potential employers.

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Developing the DT Approach
Literature and project review
Stakeholder interviews
Provider workshops
Expert panel and steering group review
Pilot and ongoing evaluation
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Key Components of the DT Approach

• Key Behaviours
• A framework of 21 key skills and attributes
  required to secure and sustain employment.
• Typical Indicators
• Help describe the Key Behaviours by offering
  examples for each of potential associated conduct
  and activities.
• Monitoring System
• Monitoring levels used for scoring evidence
• of progress against the Key Behaviours.

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Evidence Based Approach

• Chosen by providers.
• Opinion based approaches dependent on
  self-awareness, self-confidence, trust and mood.
• Evidence based approaches more objective.
• Customer (and employer) opinions still valued.
• But need to back up with evidence.

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Distance Travelled Pilot

• Piloted with 10 WORKSTEP providers.
• 529 customers involved in pilot.
• Range of customers involved
• disability type
• time on programme.

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Findings from the Pilot

• Initial difficulties with concepts.
• Some resistance from provider staff.
• Providers had to revisit guidance.
• Concerns over scoring of customers.
• Some staff felt it was too time consuming.
• Problems with paperwork.

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Findings from the Pilot (cont.)

• Comprehensive Key Behaviour Framework.
• Creation of clear baseline.
• Focuses work.
• Encourages and adds depth to discussion.
• Structured process.
• Motivational tool.
• Information recorded more systematically.
• Offers some standardisation.
• Helps customers become more responsible.
• Demonstrates ongoing support
• requirements.

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Janine Pearson, Newcastle City Council

• Provider View of the Pilot

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Introduction

• Brief overview of Newcastle City Councils
  involvement in the Distance Travelled Pilot.
• Why we became involved.
• The difficulties.
• Incorporating the Distance Travelled Approach.
• The benefits.
• Future use.

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Newcastle City Council

• Newcastle City Council has a 54 place WORKSTEP
  Contract.
• The contract includes a Supported Business,
  Palatine Beds approximately half of our
  participants are based in the Business.
• The WORKSTEP team includes myself and two
  dedicated WORKSTEP Officers.

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Distance Travelled Pilot

• Identified need to monitor Distance Travelled in
  2005, following ALI Inspection.
• There were a number of tools available at that
  time but none suitable for our purpose.
• The opportunity to be involved in the pilot was
  excellent timing.

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Distance Travelled Pilot (cont.)

• Started the pilot in April 2007.
• All WORKSTEP participants were involved.
• All stages of the programme were included.

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What we had to do

• Integrate the DT Approach into existing Personal
  Development Planning process.
• This involved
• Reviewing our Personal Development Plans.
• Ensuring the DT Approach included everything that
  we previously monitored.
• Avoiding duplication.
• Amending our Personal Development Plan template.
• Developing a Quality Assurance procedure.

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How it Worked

• Initial Difficulties
• Very time consuming.
• Staff unfamiliar with DT Approach.
• Participants unfamiliar with DT Approach.
• Required an introduction session with
  supervisors.
• Resistance to change from long term participants.

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Distance Travelled Benefits

• Provides standardisation.
• Helps to get to know the individual.
• Keeps all involved focused.
• Helps staff raise sensitive issues.
• Potential for expanding use in other employment
  services.
• Positive feedback from participants.

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Future Plans for Distance Travelled

• We remain committed to the need to monitor
  Distance Travelled.
• Will continue to use the Distance Travelled
  Approach.
• Monitor the longer term impact on our Progression
  data.

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Sarah Culshaw, Centre for Public Policy

• A Demonstration of the DT Approach

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The Scenario

• New customer (John Smith, 25) referred by JCP.
• Info on Referral Form
• Has learning difficulties problems with reading
  and writing so need to avoid roles involving
  these.
• Looking for full time food prep/serving work.
• Had food prep job in 2006 for 12 months.
• Made redundant as cafe closed not worked since.
• Negative mainstream educational experience no
  qualifications gained.

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The Scenario (cont.)

• Needs a CV and applications to be completed for
  him.
• Needs help with bus routes.
• Needs a buddy until confident in new role.
• Info from Former Employer
• Needed a lot of initial support but worked well
  on familiar routine tasks.
• Was hardworking, smartly dressed and trustworthy.
• Had good attendance but had issues with arriving
• late when relying on public transport.

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The Scenario (cont.)

• Info from Parents
• Lives with parents.
• Nervous meeting new people but more confident in
  familiar situations and recognises need to build
  on.
• Determined to get back into work.
• Your Initial Meeting
• Late for meeting as hadnt checked bus times and
  journey length but apologises for being late.
• Smartly dressed and has personal portfolio.
• Struggling with communication and
• eye contact.

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Distance Travelled Training Package

• Tailored packages to suit your organisation could
  include
• Consultancy tailoring and integrating the
  Approach.
• Direct Delivery Training training of staff who
  will use the Approach.
• Train the Trainer training of selected staff in
  your organisation who can then cascade the
  training.
• Distance Travelled User Guide useful reference
  tool.
• Ongoing Support face to face, telephone
• and web based options available.

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More Information

• James Lowrey ? 0191 243 7438 / 7425?
  james.lowrey_at_northumbria.ac.uk
• or
• Sarah Culshaw? 0191 243 7483 / 7425?
  sarah.culshaw_at_northumbria.ac.uk