12 December 2002
REPORT ON NEW DEAL FOR LONE PARENTS PUBLISHED
A study of how the New Deal for Lone Parents programme is operating in Northern Ireland was published today by the Department for Social Development.
The research by PricewaterhouseCoopers was commissioned by the Social Security Agency and the Department for Employment and Learning in December 2001. It highlights how the New Deal for Lone Parents has helped people to gain better qualifications and points up variations in the programme’s attractiveness to women. Its main findings include:
The impact of the New Deal for Lone Parents varies from individual to individual and across geographical location. Whilst the programme is having little effect on some lone parents due to their lack of interest in or ability to participate, for others it is encouraging the attainment of qualifications and employment.
. For those that have participated the most frequently cited impact of the programme was considered to be the opportunity it provided to gain formal qualifications as a step towards gaining adequately paid employment.
- Younger participants and those with children at primary school appear to be more positively disposed to participation, although the majority of participation appears to be restricted to training courses rather than employment.
- Older lone parents appear to be more reticent about participating
A key aspect of the programme is an accurate in-work benefit calculation. The outcome of this appears to have a major impact on whether or not lone parents seek employment.
Participation in the New Deal for Lone Parents also appears to have a positive impact on the ‘softer skills’ of lone parents with reported increases in self-confidence.
The availability of suitable work placements and training provision appears to vary across Northern Ireland and this has a resultant impact on the choice available to lone parents with those in rural areas appearing to be more disadvantaged.
The report also looks at the training need and role of New Deal Personal Advisors. It is available from Statistics and Research Branch, Block 2, Castle Buildings, Stormont, Belfast BT4 3SJ (028-9052339) or at the website
www.dsdni.gov.uk/statistics-research/introduction.aspNOTES TO EDITORS:
PWC carried out interviews with individuals from Playboard, Gingerbread, YMCA and BIFHE and organised focus groups were set up with advisors from the Social Security Agency and Department for Employment and Learning Advisers.
The New Deal for Lone Parents is a voluntary programme designed specifically to assist lone parents who want to work. It is available to lone parents in receipt of Income Support and certain other benefits.
The Department for Social Development is the lead department for the administration of New Deal for Lone Parents.
Click here to print this press release.
