Changes to the way employment support is delivered at the Job Centre are improving the way services are delivered and the accessibility of support.
The success of working with clients during lockdown through phone and video calls, email and text, rather than traditional meetings in person, has led to a shift in approach.
How this can be improved further is the subject of a survey, which is launched today and designed to inform the development of services.
Ralph Peake MHK, Member of the Treasury with responsibility for Social Security, said:
‘Throughout lockdown the Job Centre team were able to deliver services in a completely new way, interacting with clients remotely in place of more formal face-to-face meetings.
‘In adapting to remote working, the team found they were able to maintain the full range of Job Centre services and engage in a far more flexible way, responding effectively to the needs of individual clients.’
He added:
‘To help us develop services further, a short survey is under way to better understand the needs of clients now and into the future. I would encourage people to get involved and help us shape and develop our provision to achieve the best possible outcome for our clients’ employment prospects.’
It is recognised that remote contact will not suit everyone, and the Job Centre team will continue to offer appointments to those who prefer face-to-face communication. These meetings will be held at the Job Centre’s new base at Markwell House, or in Ramsey Town Hall.
The Job Centre has recently relocated from Nivison House in Prospect Hill, Douglas, to Markwell House in Market Street. This change will bring both the Job Centre and benefit administration teams into one building, and enable financial support and recruitment advice and guidance to be delivered in the same place.
The survey, which may be downloaded, can be found by visiting the Isle of Man Government’s online consultation hub at https://consult.gov.im/
For those unable to access the consultation hub, a paper version of the consultation can be requested via treasury@gov.im, or by calling 687014
The process will run for two weeks and conclude on 30 July 2020.
