To ask the Minister for Employment and Learning for his assessment of the relationship between his Department and Steps 2 Success providers, in particular with regards to young people who do not complete the programme.

The Department has developed a good working relationship with the three Lead Contractors that are contracted to deliver the Steps 2 Success programme on its behalf. The three Lead Contractors: Ingeus, EOS NI and Reed in Partnership have each invested time, effort and resources into putting in place a delivery infrastructure to meet the Department’s contractual requirements. The Department worked closely with the Lead Contractors during the implementation phase and this laid the groundwork for a positive relationship that has continued now that the programme is being delivered.

The Department has developed a model of joint working between the Department and the Lead Contractors ensuring regular meetings, with policy, contract management, regional operations and quality improvement staff. This has proved to be a worthwhile process and has helped develop an open and constructive way of working.

There are no issues in regards to young people not completing the Steps 2 Success programme. People aged 18 – 24 who are in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance for nine months are mandated to participate on Steps 2 Success for a one year period. To date, no participants aged 18 to 24 have completed the full duration of their period on the programme.

A mandatory JSA participant must attend and participate on Steps 2 Success as a requirement of their continuing entitlement to benefit. Sanctions may apply to mandated JSA participants who fail to attend or participate, without good cause, as determined by the Social Security Agency.

Steps 2 Success participants continue to receive assistance from their Contractor for up to one year after starting work.