Ethnic Minority Perceptions and Experiences of Jobcentre Plus

Abstract

Background and aimsEthnic minority communities experience discrimination and disadvantage in the United Kingdom (UK) labour market.Jobcentre Plus has a role in working to integrate ethnic minority communities into the labour market and, in so doing, help address disadvantage.To this end Jobcentre Plus needs to understand local differences in the experiences of ethnic groups.This research sought to increase understanding of the processes and ways of working within Jobcentre Plus and adult employment programmes and how they may differentially affect ethnic minority participants. The organisational and policy context of Jobcentre Plus action on race equalityThis research was conducted during a period when a range of race equality initiatives were bedding down in Jobcentre Plus.Many of these initiatives seek to contribute to a closing of the White-ethnic minority employment gap and achievement of parity of outcomes for White and ethnic minority customers in Jobcentre Plus and its mainstream services.Developments include Ethnic Minority Outreach Services, the Jobcentre Plus Race Equality Scheme, the Faith in the Communities Toolkit, Monitoring of Parity of Outcomes, the Additional Job Entry Points Scheme and Ethnic Minority Flexible Fund. The research designA qualitative research method was adopted.The research was located in four Jobcentre Plus districts across Scotland, Wales and England.Depth interviews were undertaken with a variety of stakeholders across each area.These included a total sample of 84 ethnic minority and 31 White customers, 27 Jobcentre Plus district office and front-line staff and 16 employers.In the early stages of the research depth interviews were undertaken with a small number of Jobcentre Plus key informants to help make topic guides relate to the current context of Jobcentre Plus.

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