Publication - Research and analysis
Job Start Payment evaluation: annex B - qualitative research
This report forms the annex to the main report on the evaluation of Job Start Payment. It presents findings from qualitative research conducted to support the overall evaluation.
Appendix A: Headline JSP information from successful applicants
| Who told them | Application experience | Timescales | Spend | Status when interviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Job centre work coach and uncle | 'Straightforward' Good experience with Social Security Scotland staff phoning and updating them | When offered job 3 weeks later | Clothes Travel ticket | Unemployed |
| A friend | 'Long wait' and had to re-submit twice Social Security Scotland staff 'super helpful' | Over a month After first pay cheque | Clothes Travel ticket | Different employment |
| Employer | Seemed straightforward but took a long time and employer (a charity supporting single parents) helped them follow up. | Once started job | Clothes Travel ticket | Same employment |
| Job centre | Relatively simple, needed more proof of job offer. | After job offer Within 2 weeks | Put in account and used for general expenses and bills including car MOT | Same employment- from Kickstarter scheme |
| Job centre | Phoned to check they had received, they were reassuring. | Just over 4 weeks 2 weeks after starting job | Clothes Travel ticket Food | Same employment |
| A friend | Really easy and quick | Within a week or two Before first pay cheque | Travel ticket, Food Phone bill Contributed to parents' power bill | Unemployed |
| Social Security Scotland (young carer's grant team) | Easy to apply but felt like a long wait and had to phone them a couple of times to chase. | 7 weeks | Clothes | Different employment |
| Job centre | Easy process | 3-4 weeks | Travel Power bills Paid back money borrowed for interview expenses | College and self-employed on side |
| Invest in Renfrewshire | Nothing difficult- email to say processing high levels of applications so taking longer. | 1 month | Into bank account, Paying credit used for start of work expenses | Same employment- from Kickstarter scheme |
| Manager at new job | Advised by Social Security Scotland to re-submit | 3 weeks | Travel ticket, Food | Different employment part time, and full-time student |
| Army careers office | Straightforward | 2 weeks | Protective clothing for work- gloves and boots Money to mother for house bills | In training |
| Facebook advert | Fine, but called to enquire and had to ask employer for extra evidence | Under one month | Clothes for herself Toys for her kids | Different employment |
| Job centre | Straightforward once employer provided evidence of job offer | 2 weeks | Shoes Travel ticket 'A cushion' in case of unexpected expenses | Same employer- different seasonal job |
| Mother who saw promotion on Twitter | Simple | Around 3 weeks | Shoes Bulk buying food items for lunches | Same employment- now full time rather than part time |
| Boss in new job, Job centre Friends all mentioned | Straightforward except understanding and getting evidence to submit | 2-3 weeks | Train to visit close family member before starting work Dinner out to celebrate new job | Same work- through Kickstarter Work-based diploma |
| Social Security Scotland (young carer's grant team) | Really stressful process- especially submitting evidence | 3 weeks | Clothes Travel Food | Different employment and volunteering for charity supporting refugees |
| Job centre | Simple | Under a month | Office clothes | Same job and university |
| Job centre | Simple- work coach completed with them and attached needed evidence | 3 days | Equipment to work from home- headset and keyboard Travel to office for training Clothes | Same job |
| Job centre | Straightforward | Under a month | Fuel for car Lunches Work uniform Childcare costs | Same job part time and Universal Credit |
| Job centre | Had to phone up and found needed to submit additional evidence | Under a month | Work uniform Lunches Transport tickets | Different employment |
| Job centre | Simple | Around a month | Transport ticket Put in bank account for general expenses | Same employment |
| From partner who works for a charity | Straightforward | Under 7 working days | Clothes including safety boots Transport tickets | Same employment |
| Job centre | Complicated proving care status | Can't remember, 'not long' | Paying childminder upfront costs | Same employment |
| Employer | Helped by support worker in homeless accommodation- problems with application process submitting evidence | 5 months at least | Paying back money from family and friends A desk for working from home | Same employment- Kickstarter scheme |
| Job centre | Straightforward | 2 months | Clothes Day out with children Travel tickets | Just made redundant from temporary contract |
| Case worker through Fair Start Scotland | Straightforward and positive | 10 days | Fuel for car Childcare costs | Different employment |
Contact
Email: Social_Research@gov.scot
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