New National DWP Restart Scheme – employment support

The Restart Scheme will give Universal Credit claimants who have been out of work for between 12 to 18 months enhanced support to find jobs. The Restart Scheme will break down employment barriers that could be holding them back from finding work. Providers will work with employers, local government and other partners to deliver tailored support for individuals.

Building on the Government’s ‘Plan for Jobs’, a new mandatory large-scale intensive employment support offer is being introduced.  It will help UC claimants in the Intensive Work Search Regime (IWSR) who have been unemployed for 12 – 18 months in England and Wales. Additional support for this group can have a real impact, not only in improving the life-chances of individuals and their families, but in supporting our economic recovery and delivering wider benefits for society.

The Restart Scheme will be:

• Personalised: Providers are required to deliver an individually tailored quality offer to all participants
• Engaging – Coaches, Claimants and Providers will work together throughout participant’s time on the Programme.
• Flexible: It will be designed to adapt to changing national and local conditions
• Contracted Out: It will use the expertise and innovative ideas of trusted providers to best respond to the challenge, bringing extra capacity for intensive support

Claimants will be referred to the Restart Scheme as the next step of their journey towards employment and will spend up to 12 months on the provision. Collaboration will be key to the joined up relationship between the provider, Jobcentre Plus and the claimant to build a positive and engaging relationship.  Providers will work with participants on activities with the emphasis on positive engagement.  Mandating will only be used where a claimant fails to participate without good reason.

Eligibility

In addition to the basic Universal Credit eligibility requirements, to be eligible for Restart claimants should:

• be in receipt of Universal Credit and in the Intensive Work Search (IWS) regime for 12 to 18 months inclusive, with time in receipt of new style Jobseekers Allowance counting towards this
• have no earnings at the point of referral
• not be currently participating in other DWP Contracted Employment Provision

Who is Restart Scheme not suitable for?

• Claimants who are not in the Intensive Work Search Regime
• Claimants who are in the Intensive Work Search Regime who are self-employed or looking for self-employment work
• Claimants who are in the Intensive Work Search Regime who would be better suited to a different provision
• Claimants who are currently taking part in other contracted provision
• Claimants who are already working (e.g. part time/zero hours contract) and receiving or expect to receive earnings

Supporting Information

•  Further information about the wide range of support available from Jobcentre Plus to help people back to work is available on the Job Help site, part of Gov.uk

• Work Coaches will talk to their claimants if they feel that the claimant would be suitable for this Provision and refer them as a discretionary referral if it will help move them towards and into work.

Restart Scheme is provided in your area by:

The following link provides further information and please see the FAQ’s listed below

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/restart-scheme/how-the-restart-scheme-will-work