Abstract
Policymakers have promised a personalised approach to improving the employability of disadvantaged groups. The evidence suggests that contracted-out activation programmes in the UK and some other welfare states have instead sometimes delivered a standardised 'work-first' model. An alternative approach is exemplified in local employability services targeting lone parents in Scotland, led by third sector–public sector partnerships. Our research on these services suggests a link between programme governance (defined by flexible funding and collaborative partnership working) and effective street-level practice (where caseworkers and users co-produce services to empower parents). The article concludes by identifying lessons for the coproduction of future employability services.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 517-587 |
Number of pages | 17 |
Journal | Policy and Politics |
Volume | 46 |
Issue number | 4 |
Early online date | 4 Dec 2017 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Oct 2018 |
Keywords
- active labour market policy
- activation
- unemployment
- employability
- co-creation
- public services
- single parents
- poverty