9 August 2004 - Publication of Department for Work and Pensions research report: Lone Parents, Health and Work
Research published today by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) explores the relationship between the health of lone parents (and their children) and their decisions about work. The research was commissioned in two parts. Part one of the report looks specifically at lone parents on Income Support (IS) or in work. Part two focuses on lone parents on sickness and disability benefits and includes a small sample of lone parents who moved from income support onto Incapacity Benefit when their youngest child turned 16.
The published report integrates the two parts and also includes a comparative conclusions chapter. The analysis was carried out by Inclusion (CESI) and the Institute of Employment Studies (IES) between June 2003 and March 2004 and was based on in-depth interviews and focus groups.
The main findings for each of the parts are as follows:
Part One - Lone Parents in Work or on Income Support (IS).
- There were no differences between those lone parents in work and those on IS in terms of the duration, type or perceived severity of their health problem or whether their health problem had been diagnosed. Multiple health problems, mental health problems and child health problems were also evident for both those on IS and in work.
- The circumstances of lone parents in work did not differ radically from those who were currently out of work. This indicates that similar health problem might be felt and experienced in a different way by the two groups. The most important factors to help lone parents stay in work were cited to be an understanding employer and a job that was suitable for their circumstances/health needs.
- Lone parents outlined a number of things that New Deal for Lone Parents (NDLP) offers when describing what would help them get back to work such as: job matching service, help building skills and confidence and childcare information. In the main lone parents on IS or in work expressed a desire for more regular contact with Personal Advisors (PAs) and Jobcentre Plus staff. The lone parents on IS wanted specific help getting back into work whereas the lone parents in work wanted follow-up contact after starting work.
Part Two - Lone Parents on Sickness and Disability Benefits.
- Lone parents on sickness and disability benefits generally wanted to work and saw the positive aspects of working, although many did not feel ready to work because of their health problem and/or disability. Concerns expressed were related to the ability to sustain work and the impact of work on their health problem or disability. They emphasised the need for both a supportive employer and work environment.
- Although all of the lone parents were receiving a wide variety of medical support to manage their health problem and/or disability they still identified a need for a wider range of additional (more flexible) emotional and practical support such as help with childcare; training and confidence-building.
Comparative conclusions between the two parts:
- The biggest difference between the two parts of the research was not the type of health problem or disability that lone parents had, but the impact that it had on their day-to-day activities and ability to work, and the prominence of the health problem and/or disability compared with other constraints to work.
- The lone parents who were on IS or who were in work highlighted a range of constraints that could be attributed to being a lone mother, whereas for the respondents who were on sickness and disability benefits, it was their health problems and/or disability that was considered to be the primary constraint to work.
- In addition to medical support for the health problem, other support could help lone parents to consider entering work. Examples include support with improving poor housing circumstances, and improving social networks (to help increase confidence) and access to information about ‘managing’ health problems.
Notes for editors
- The research was conducted by Jo Casebourne of the Institute of Employment Studies (IES) and Liz Britton of Inclusion (CESI). The research was based on 58 in-depth interviews with lone parents on Income Support or in work (part 1) and 54 with lone parents on sickness and disability benefits (part 2) as well as three follow up focus groups in each part.
- Lone Parents, Health and Work (report series number 214) is published on 9th August 2004. A summary and a copy of the report is available on the DWP website
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