The Jobseeker’s Allowance (18-21 Work Skills Pilot Scheme) Regulations 2014

• Citation: S.I. 2014/3117
• Sections: 20

Section 1 Citation, commencement and duration

(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Jobseeker’s Allowance (18-21 Work Skills Pilot Scheme) Regulations 2014 and come into force on the day after the day on which they are made.

(2) They cease to have effect at the end of the period of 24 months beginning with the day on which they come into force.

Section 2 Interpretation

(1) In these Regulations—

“ the Act ” means the Jobseekers Act 1995;

“the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations ” means the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 1996 ;

“the Housing Renewal Grants Regulations ” means the Housing Renewal Grants Regulations 1996 ;

“the Housing Benefit Regulations ” means the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 ;

“claimant” means a person who claims a jobseeker’s allowance, except that in relation to a joint-claim couple claiming a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance, it means either or both of the members of the couple;

“Level 2 qualification” means—

a qualification defined as a Level 2 qualification within the National Qualification Framework regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation; or

an equivalent qualification within the European Qualifications Framework; or

any other qualification that the Secretary of State considers is equivalent to a qualification mentioned in paragraphs (a) or (b) ;

“Phase One” has the meaning given to it in regulation 3(3) to (6);

“Phase Two” has the meaning given to it in regulation 3(7);

“pilot area” means a Jobcentre Plus district of the Department for Work and Pensions, by whatever name it is from time to time known, which is identified by reference to its name at the date these Regulations come into force as listed below—

Black Country;

Devon, Somerset and Cornwall;

Kent;

Mercia;

“the Scheme” has the meaning given to it in regulation 3(2);

“the Scheme provider” means the person or persons delivering the Scheme pursuant to arrangements made by the Secretary of State .

(2) For the purpose of these Regulations, where a written notice is given by sending it by post it is taken to have been received on the second working day (which means any day except for a Saturday, a Sunday, Christmas Day, Good Friday or a bank holiday under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 in England) after posting.

Section 3 The 18-21 Work Skills Pilot Scheme

(1) The 18-21 Work Skills Pilot Scheme is prescribed for the purposes of section 17A(1) (schemes for assisting persons to obtain employment: “work for your benefit” schemes etc ) of the Act.

(2) The 18-21 Work Skills Pilot Scheme (“the Scheme”) is a scheme that consists of two phases as described in paragraphs (3) to (7).

(3) Phase One is designed to provide claimants selected in accordance with regulation 4 with skills training in English or Maths (or both) for up to 16 hours per week for a cumulative period of up to 6 months to help claimants develop skills in one or both subjects in order to assist them to obtain employment.

(4) Phase One begins with an assessment of a claimant by the Scheme provider.

(5) A claimant participating in Phase One may be required to undertake skills training in English or Maths (or both) where, following that assessment, the Secretary of State is satisfied that the claimant does not possess skills in one or both subjects at a standard equivalent to that required to obtain a Level 2 qualification.

(6) Phase One may also include further assessments of claimants’ skills.

(7) Phase Two is designed to provide claimants selected in accordance with regulation 10 with work-related activity or skills training (or both) for up to 30 hours per week for a cumulative period of up to 6 months to help claimants develop skills or gain experience (or both) relevant to the work place in order to assist them to obtain employment.

Section 4 Selection for participation in Phase One of the Scheme

(1) The Secretary of State may select on a sampling basis a claimant (“C”) for participation in Phase One of the Scheme if the following circumstances are met.

(2) The first circumstance is that C has reached the age of 18 and has not yet reached the age of 22 on the day on which C makes or is treated as making a claim for a jobseeker’s allowance.

(3) The second circumstance is that C’s claim for a jobseeker’s allowance is made or treated as made on or after the date that these Regulations come into force.

(4) The third circumstance is that C is registered at a Jobcentre Plus office that is located within a pilot area.

(5) The fourth circumstance is that C is required to meet the jobseeking conditions .

(6) The fifth circumstance is that C has not provided evidence of a Level 2 qualification in English or Maths or both.

Section 5 Requirement to participate in Phase One of the Scheme and initial notification

(1) Subject to regulation 7, a claimant (“C”) selected in accordance with regulation 4 is required to participate in Phase One of the Scheme, including attending an assessment with the Scheme provider, where the Secretary of State gives C a notice in writing complying with paragraph (2).

(2) The notice must specify—

(a) that C is required to participate in Phase One of the Scheme, including attending an assessment with the Scheme provider;

(b) a description of Phase One of the Scheme in which C is required to participate;

(c) the day on which C is required to start participation in Phase One of the Scheme;

(d) the date, time and location at which the assessment will take place;

(e) the purpose of the assessment;

(f) that the requirement to participate in Phase One of the Scheme will continue until any of the circumstances in sub-paragraphs (a) to (d) of regulation 7(2) apply; and

(g) the consequences of failing to participate in Phase One of the Scheme, including failing to attend an assessment with the Scheme provider.

(3) Any changes to the details mentioned in paragraph (2) must be notified by the Secretary of State to C in writing.

Section 6 Subsequent notifications

(1) Subject to regulation 7, a claimant (“C”) who, following an assessment in accordance with regulation 5 or 8, the Secretary of State is satisfied does not possess skills in English or Maths or both at a standard equivalent to the skills required to obtain a Level 2 qualification is required to—

(a) attend skills training in English or Maths or both; and

(b) participate in further assessments if appropriate;

where the Secretary of State gives C a notice in writing complying with paragraph (2).

(2) The notice must specify—

(a) details of what C is required to do by way of continued participation in Phase One of the Scheme; and

(b) information about the consequences of failing to continue to participate in Phase One of the Scheme.

(3) Any changes to the details mentioned in paragraph (2) must be notified by the Secretary of State to C in writing.

Section 7 Circumstances in which requirement to participate in Phase One of the Scheme is suspended or ceases to apply

(1) The requirement for C to participate in Phase One of the Scheme does not apply for any period during which the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations apply so that C is not required to meet the jobseeking conditions.

(2) A requirement to participate in Phase One of the Scheme ceases to apply to C if—

(a) the Secretary of State gives C notice in writing that C is no longer required to participate in Phase One of the Scheme; or

(b) C has ceased to be registered at a Jobcentre Plus office that is located within a pilot area; or

(c) C has participated in Phase One of the Scheme for a cumulative period of 6 months; or

(d) C ceases to be entitled to a jobseeker’s allowance.

(3) If the Secretary of State gives C a notice in writing under paragraph (2)(a), the requirement to participate in Phase One of the Scheme ceases to apply on the date specified in the notice.

Section 8 Requirement to recommence participation in Phase One of the Scheme

(1) Where—

(a) a claimant’s (“C”) requirement to participate in Phase One of the Scheme ceases to apply in accordance with regulation 7(2)(a), (b) or (d); and

(b) the circumstances specified in regulation 4(2) to (6) are met;

the Secretary of State may require C to recommence participation in Phase One of the Scheme, including attending an assessment, by giving C a notice in writing complying with paragraph (2).

(2) The notice must comply with regulation 5(2)(b), (f) and (g) and specify—

(a) that C is required to recommence participation in Phase One of the Scheme, including—

(i) where C has not previously had an assessment with a Scheme provider in accordance with regulation 5(1), that C is required to attend an assessment with the Scheme provider; or

(ii) where C has previously had an assessment with a Scheme provider in accordance with regulation 5(1), that C is required to attend an additional assessment;

(b) the day on which C is required to recommence participation in Phase One of the Scheme;

(c) the date, time and location at which the assessment will take place; and

(d) the purpose of the assessment.

(3) Any changes to the details mentioned in paragraph (2) must be notified by the Secretary of State to C in writing.

Section 9 Selection for participation in Phase Two of the Scheme

(1) The Secretary of State may select a claimant (“C”) for participation in Phase Two of the Scheme if the following circumstances are met.

(2) The first circumstance is that C has reached the age of 18 but has not yet reached the age of 22 on the day on which C has been in receipt of a jobseeker’s allowance for 6 months or longer.

(3) The second circumstance is that C has been in receipt of a jobseeker’s allowance for 6 months or longer.

(4) The third circumstance is that C is registered at a Jobcentre Plus office that is located within a pilot area.

(5) The fourth circumstance is that C is required to meet the jobseeking conditions.

(6) The fifth circumstance is that C is not required to participate in Phase One of the Scheme.

Section 10 Requirement to participate in Phase Two of the Scheme and initial notification

(1) Subject to regulation 12, a claimant (“C”) selected in accordance with regulation 9 is required to participate in Phase Two of the Scheme where the Secretary of State gives C a notice in writing complying with paragraph (2).

(2) The notice must specify—

(a) that C is required to participate in Phase Two of the Scheme;

(b) a description of Phase Two of the Scheme in which C is required to participate;

(c) the day on which C is required to start participation in Phase Two of the Scheme;

(d) that the requirement to participate in Phase Two of the Scheme will continue until any of the circumstances in sub-paragraphs (a) to (d) of regulation 12(2) apply; and

(e) information about the consequences of failing to participate in Phase Two of the Scheme.

(3) Any changes to the details mentioned in paragraph (2) must be notified by the Secretary of State to C in writing.

Section 11 Subsequent notifications

(1) Subject to regulation 12, a claimant (“C”) notified in accordance with regulation 10 must be given a further notice in writing by the Secretary of State complying with paragraph (2) before C can be required to undertake any work-related activity or skills training.

(2) The notice must specify—

(a) details of what C is required to do by way of participation in Phase Two of the Scheme; and

(b) information about the consequences of failing to participate in Phase Two of the Scheme.

(3) Any changes to the details mentioned in paragraph (2) must be notified by the Secretary of State to C in writing.

Section 12 Circumstances in which requirement to participate in Phase Two of the Scheme is suspended or ceases to apply

(1) The requirement for C to participate in Phase Two of the Scheme does not apply for any period during which the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations apply so that C is not required to meet the jobseeking conditions.

(2) A requirement to participate in Phase Two of the Scheme ceases to apply to C if—

(a) the Secretary of State gives C notice in writing that C is no longer required to participate in Phase Two of the Scheme; or

(b) C has ceased to be registered at a Jobcentre Plus office that is located within a pilot area; or

(c) C has participated in Phase Two of the Scheme for a cumulative period of 6 months; or

(d) C ceases to be entitled to a jobseeker’s allowance.

(3) If the Secretary of State gives C a notice in writing under paragraph (2)(a), the requirement to participate in Phase Two of the Scheme ceases to apply on the day specified in the notice.

Section 13 Requirement to recommence participation in Phase Two of the Scheme

(1) Where

(a) a claimant’s (“C”) requirement to participate in Phase Two of the Scheme ceases to apply in accordance with regulation 12(2)(a), (b) or (d); and

(b) the circumstances specified in regulation 9(2) to (6) are met;

the Secretary of State may require C to recommence participation in Phase Two of the Scheme by giving C a new written notice complying with regulation 10(2).

(2) Any changes to the details mentioned in paragraph (1) must be notified by the Secretary of State to C in writing.

Section 14 Exemptions from requirement to meet the jobseeking conditions

(1) A claimant who is participating in the Scheme is not required to meet the conditions set out in section 1(2)(a) and (c) of the Act (conditions for entitlement to a jobseeker’s allowance: available for and actively seeking employment) if the claimant is a full-time student.

(2) A claimant who is participating in the Scheme is not required to meet the conditions set out in section 1(2)(a) and (c) of the Act if the claimant has been discharged from detention in a prison, remand centre or youth custody institution, for one week commencing with the date of that discharge.

(3) In this regulation, “full-time student” has the same meaning as in regulation 1(3) of the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations.

Section 15 Notional income

(1) This regulation applies to the following provisions (which relate to notional income)—

(a) regulation 42(7) of the Housing Benefit Regulations;

(b) regulation 31(9A) of the Housing Renewal Grants Regulations;

(c) regulation 105(10A) of the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations.

(2) In each of the provisions to which this regulation applies, after sub-paragraph (cd) insert—

(ce) in respect of a person’s participation in a scheme prescribed in regulation 3 of the Jobseekers Allowance (18 - 21 Work Skills Pilot Scheme) Regulations 2014;

Section 16 Notional capital

(1) This regulation applies to the following provisions (which relate to notional capital)—

(a) regulation 49(4) of the Housing Benefit Regulations;

(b) regulation 38(3A) of the Housing Renewal Grants Regulations;

(c) regulation 113(3A) of the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations.

(2) In each of the provisions to which this regulation applies, after sub-paragraph (bd) insert—

(be) in respect of a person’s participation in a scheme prescribed in regulation 3 of the Jobseekers Allowance (18 - 21 Work Skills Pilot Scheme) Regulations 2014;

Section 17 Income to be disregarded

(1) This regulation applies to the following Schedules (which relate to sums to be disregarded in the calculation of income other than earnings)—

(a) Schedule 5 to the Housing Benefit Regulations;

(b) Schedule 3 to the Housing Renewal Grants Regulations;

(c) Schedule 7 to the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations.

(2) In each of the Schedules to which this regulation applies, after paragraph A4 insert —

“A5. Any payment made to the claimant in respect of any child care, travel or other expenses incurred, or to be incurred, by the claimant in respect of their participation in a scheme prescribed in regulation 3 of the Jobseekers Allowance (18 - 21 Work Skills Pilot Scheme) Regulations 2014.”.

Section 18 Capital to be disregarded

(1) This regulation applies to the following Schedules (which relate to capital to be disregarded)—

(a) Schedule 6 to the Housing Benefit Regulations;

(b) Schedule 4 to the Housing Renewal Grants Regulations;

(c) Schedule 8 to the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations.

(2) In each of the Schedules to which this regulation applies, after paragraph A4 insert —

“A5. Any payment made to the claimant in respect of any child care, travel or other expenses incurred, or to be incurred, by the claimant in respect of their participation in a scheme prescribed in regulation 3 of the Jobseekers Allowance (18 - 21 Work Skills Pilot Scheme) Regulations 2014, but only for 52 weeks beginning with the date of receipt of the payment.”.

Section 19 Further modifications of the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations

In regulation 25(1A) of the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations, in the definition of “relevant notification”, after “2013” insert the words “, under a scheme prescribed in regulation 3 of the Jobseekers Allowance (18 - 21 Work Skills Pilot Scheme) Regulations 2014”.

Section 20 Contracting out certain functions

(1) Any function of the Secretary of State specified in paragraph (2) may be exercised by, or by employees of, such person (if any) as may be authorised by the Secretary of State.

(2) The functions are any function under—

(a) regulations 5 and 10 (requirement to participate in the Scheme and notification);

(b) regulations 6 and 11 (subsequent notifications);

(c) regulations 7 and 12 (circumstances in which requirement to participate ceases);

(d) regulations 8 and 13 (requirement to recommence participation in the Scheme).