The 2015 ESA Trials: A Synthesis

This document describes an evaluation of the effectiveness of three Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) trials—Voluntary Early Intervention (VEI), Claimant Commitment (CC), and More Intensive Support (MIS)—implemented by the Department for Work and Pensions to assist claimants in returning to work and reducing benefit dependency. The evaluation used qualitative interviews, observations, quantitative analysis, and various methodological approaches, including quasi-experimental design and randomized controlled trials. Results showed that MIS was effective in reducing the number of days claimants spent on benefits, while VEI did not significantly reduce benefit dependency. The CC trial helped structure Work Coach interactions but had variable impacts. The evaluation found that personalized support, empathetic engagement, and understanding claimants' medical conditions were key to progress, but challenges remained, especially for those with severe health conditions or mental health issues. Recommendations for future policy and practice were made, and the report suggests further research to understand the long-term impacts of these interventions. Data and findings are presented under the Open Government Licence and reflect contributions from various individuals and organizations. **This summary was written by an AI model and therefore should not be considered a definitive summary of the report. If you are aware of inaccuracies, please email evaluation.registry@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.**

Description

• Lead department: Department for Work and Pensions
• Evaluation stage: A complete evaluation report
• Other departments: No other departments listed
• Evaluation types: Impact evaluation; Process evaluation
• Impact methods: Quasi-experimental method
• Quasi-experimental methods: Matching
• Process methods: Individual interviews
• Grant information: This intervention is not distributing funding via a grant
• Government Major Project information: This intervention is not a major project
• Policies: No policies provided

Event Dates

• Event Name: Publication of final results
• Event date: August 2017

Evaluation Costs

• Cost: Not provided

Evaluation sharing

• Link(s) to published report(s): Yes
• Links to evaluation plans: No link provided
• Links to published evaluations (DEBUGGING): No final report link found.
• Findings: Not provided
• Permission to share confirmed: Yes