The government is under scrutiny as its flagship employment support programme, WorkWell, shows alarming shortfalls in helping disabled people and those with health conditions return to or remain in work. Internal research has revealed that NHS organisations running pilot schemes struggled to meet recruitment targets, raising questions over the scheme’s effectiveness just months before a nationwide rollout.
WorkWell, a joint venture between the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department of Health and Social Care, is designed to help people with health conditions—particularly mental health challenges—stay in employment or re-enter the workforce after a break. Ministers have presented the programme as a central pillar of their strategy for inclusive employment, with plans to eventually support around 250,000 people across England.
Pilot Scheme Performance
The scheme was initially piloted in 15 NHS integrated care boards (ICBs), but a recent evaluation by IFF Research shows only 12 could provide valid data six months after launch in September 2024. The results are sobering:
| NHS ICB | Recruitment Target | Actual Recruited | % of Target Achieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lancashire & South Cumbria | 5,000 | 28 | 0.56% |
| Cornwall & Isles of Scilly | 2,067 | 57 | 2.8% |
| Coventry & Warwickshire | 1,500 | 128 | 8.5% |
| Surrey Heartlands | 7,200 | 171 | 2.4% |
| Northwest London | 4,500 | 1,350 | 30% |
| North Central London | 3,600 | 1,080 | 30% |
Even the top performers only reached about 30% of their targets. The report highlights widespread concern among stakeholders that referral numbers were far below expectations, with many fearing they would not meet targets by the end of the pilot period.
Participant Satisfaction
Despite recruitment struggles, feedback from participants has been more positive, though uneven:
| NHS ICB | Satisfaction Rate |
|---|---|
| South Yorkshire | 82% |
| North Central London | 61% |
| Overall | 70% satisfied, 11% dissatisfied, 13% neutral |
The survey indicates that while a majority of participants appreciated the support, a significant minority remained dissatisfied or ambivalent about their experience.
Government Response and Expansion Plans
The DWP has attributed early recruitment issues to the challenges of establishing referral pathways and building relationships with local organisations. A spokesperson said: “These are early implementation findings from the first months of the pilots, and it is not unusual for new programmes to take time to establish referral pathways and build relationships.”
Despite these shortcomings, the government confirmed a £259 million expansion of WorkWell in January, aiming to support up to 250,000 people. The plan remains ambitious, given that only about half of the pilot target numbers were reportedly achieved by the end of 2025—15 months after the programme launched.
Ministers argue that WorkWell is a key tool to improve living standards and economic growth by helping more people stay or return to work. However, critics say the lag in recruitment and delayed publication of pilot findings point to structural challenges in delivering large-scale health-and-work programmes efficiently.
Challenges Ahead
Several issues appear to be slowing WorkWell’s impact:
- Referral bottlenecks: NHS organisations struggled to identify and recruit eligible participants.
- Delayed reporting: Early pilot data were not released promptly, making it difficult to assess progress in real time.
- Regional disparities: Recruitment success varies widely between ICBs, highlighting inconsistencies in implementation.
- Health barriers: Mental health conditions remain the most common reason participants struggle to engage with employment support.
These factors suggest that the nationwide rollout will require careful monitoring, local engagement, and adaptive strategies to avoid repeating pilot mistakes.
The statistics cited above are drawn from the IFF Research report commissioned by DWP and the Department for Work and Pensions statements on WorkWell. The programme is real and currently being expanded across England, with public funding confirmed in government budget announcements.
FAQs
1. What is WorkWell?
WorkWell is a UK government scheme supporting people with health conditions to stay in work or re-enter employment.
2. How many people is WorkWell expected to help?
The nationwide expansion aims to assist approximately 250,000 people.
3. Why did pilot recruitment fall short?
Challenges included referral bottlenecks, establishing local partnerships, and participant engagement difficulties.
4. Are participants satisfied with WorkWell?
Surveyed participants reported a 70% satisfaction rate, but this varied by region.
5. Is the scheme being expanded despite poor pilot performance?
Yes, the government has committed £259 million to expand WorkWell across England.
