Project Leader: Helen Barnes
PSI Researchers: Helen Barnes, Maria Hudson, Jane Parry, Melahat Sahin-Dikmen, Rebecca Taylor and David Wilkinson
Sponsor: Department for Work and Pensions
Period: August 2002-July 2004
Collaborators: none
Background
The research has been commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions, Working Age Evaluation Division, to examine the impact of a new outreach initiative being piloted from April 2002 to April 2004, which aims to support jobless people from particular minority ethnic communities. The research will run for the duration of the provision and will consider the implementation processes, delivery and referral mechanisms, programme flexibilities, key stakeholders' opinions, client outcomes, the performance of the programme and its impact as a whole on the participants involved.
Study Design
The project adopts a case study approach to evaluation, utilising a mixture of qualitative and quantitative methods. Drawing upon a sample of 20 case studies across all urban areas, the project will use in-depth interviews to examine the experiences of key stakeholders over the course of the provision, and will draw out examples of good practice. The project will have a longitudinal element, following two sets of participants from the most deprived minority ethnic communities in the 18 months after becoming involved in projects. Case study material will be analysed in the context of ongoing labour market and management information analysis.
Importance of Research
The disadvantaged position of individuals from minority ethnic communities in the UK's labour market is well documented. Although there has been some progress, differences between the economic activities and employment rates of minority ethnic and indigenous white groups persist. Differences between and within minority ethnic groups have become more pronounced in recent years. Minority ethnic communities are concentrated in major urban areas with high unemployment rates, suggesting that they have higher levels of unemployment because of the local economic environment they live in. Successive evaluations of the New Deals have shown poorer outcomes and lower satisfaction levels for people from minority ethnic groups.
The Minority Ethnic Outreach Service is a major initiative, which aims to address the specific needs of 'minority ethnic' groups in innovative ways. The research will play a key role in assessing which interventions are successful in relation to the outcomes for particular groups.
Publications