Study title

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

The ONE Survey was part of a research project conducted by a consortium led by SSD, consisting of the Policy Studies Institute (PSI), the Tavistock Institute (TI)and the British Market Research Bureau (BMRB). This part of the project was the 'client survey': a survey of people claiming certain social security benefits. The fieldwork was split between ONS and BMRB. The project also included a number of qualitative studies. Both the survey and the qualitative studies were part of a programme of research designed to evaluate the ONE service: a new approach to benefit provision. This new service was being piloted in 12 Benefit Agency areas.

The research was commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions on behalf of itself and Jobcentre Plus (previously called the Employment Service and the Benefits Agency). It was part of the Government's Welfare to Work strategy to encourage those claiming benefit to think about work and to provide help in the form of access to a Personal Adviser and relevant services.

The main aims of the ONE client survey were :

to examine the effect of ONE on the proportions of different groups of claimants who come off benefit and move into work, training or education;

to examine the effect of ONE on attitudes to work and overcoming the barriers to working; and

to examine clients' views about the service provided.

The analysis compared the progress of ONE participants in the respective trial areas, with similar groups in the control areas.
Main Topics:

The questionnaires covered the effects of the ONE service on movements away from benefits and into work, training or education and clients' views about the service provided.