Get Britain Working Trailblazers Evaluation
About the study
The Get Britain Working Trailblazers programme is a set of programmes funded by the UK government and delivered by local areas across England and Wales. It includes both Youth Guarantee Trailblazers and Economic Inactivity Trailblazers. The programmes are providing employment and skills related interventions to address barriers to work, including barriers experienced by disabled people, people with long-term health conditions, young people, and those facing barriers to start and succeed in work.
The term “Trailblazers” refers to a board range of activities being delivered across the country. You might know your local programme by a different name.
The evaluation aims to understand how the programme is being delivered, including what is working well and less well, and whether the programme is making a difference. To explore this, the evaluation team will carry out:
- Interviews, diary studies, observations and surveys with people who have taken part in the programme;
- Case studies in some local areas to explore how the programme is working in specific local contexts;
- Interviews, focus groups and workshops with government staff, employers and others who are involved in the programme.
Why take part?
We want to understand how the Trailblazers programme is being delivered, and what is working well and less well. Taking part in the evaluation will provide us with important information to contribute to its ongoing improvement, and to support the design of future programmes for those facing barriers to employment. Capturing the views and experiences of people that have received support and/or are familiar with the funded services will enable improvements to be made to future services.
Participation in the evaluation is entirely voluntary. Taking part in the research will not impact your access to employment support services now or in the future and will not impact any benefits you may be receiving.
What will taking part involve?
If you have been invited to take part in an interview, focus group, diary study, or survey, we will provide you with more information about what taking part will involve ahead of time. This will include details about the research activity, such as the different topics we would like to cover and when the research will take place.
You can withdraw from the research at any point. If you withdraw, we will delete any information you have provided unless you tell us you are happy for it to be used.
If you need any adjustments in order to take part in the research (for example, a different interview format if you have been invited to take part in an interview), please do specify these in your discussions with the research team.
Why have I been selected to take part?
You have been selected because you have accessed services funded by the Trailblazers programme, are involved in the design or delivery of the programme, or are a wider stakeholder.
Confidentiality and data use
All information you provide will be treated in confidence. It will be stored securely in line with UK General Data Protection Regulations (UK-GDPR) and only used for research purposes. Your responses will not be shared with staff involved with delivering the Trailblazers programme and will not affect any support or benefits you might be receiving in any way. Findings will be reported in a way that means you cannot be identified.
For full details of how your data will be processed and the rights you have, please refer to our privacy notice:
Who is carrying out the research?
NatCen is the UK’s largest independent social research agency. For 50 years, we have been working with charities and government to find out what people really think about the big issues. NatCen are carrying out this research in partnership with ICF, and Alma Economics, and will write reports outlining the findings.
All of the organisations carrying out the research are independent of all government departments and political parties.
How do I know this research is genuine?
You can check the authenticity of this research by contacting DWP at: trailblazer.research@DWP.GOV.UK
You can find out more about DWP’s research programme here: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions/about/research
You can also contact NatCen’s research team to ask any questions about the study.
Contact us
By email: Trailblazers@natcen.ac.uk
For any wider queries you can also contact the DWP team responsible for the evaluation: trailblazer.research@DWP.GOV.UK
Support
We are aware that some of the topics in the evaluation may raise issues which you might like further advice and support about. Please see the below contact details of organisations who you can talk to if you feel you need support:
Citizen’s Advice
Advice on debt, benefits, employment, housing, and discrimination.
Advice line (England): 0800 144 8848
Advice line (Wales): 0800 702 2020
Web address: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
Mind
Advice and support to anyone experiencing mental health problems.
Info line: 030 123 3393
Web address: https://www.mind.org.uk/
Samaritans
Free and confidential emotional support if you need to talk.
Helpline: 116 123 (24 hours)
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Website: https://www.samaritans.org/
Scope
Free, independent information and support for people with a physical impairment, learning disability or any other condition.
Advice line: 0808 800 3333
Web address: https://www.scope.org.uk/
Disability rights UK
Support, information, and advice for people with disabilities to ensure equal opportunities and inclusion.
Helpline: 0330 995 0400
Web address: https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/
Money and Pensions Service
An independent service set up by the government to help people manage their money by offering free and impartial advice and information.
Advice line: 0800 138 7777
Web address: https://maps.org.uk/en