Executive summary
The research
This report presents interim findings from longitudinal qualitative research into homeless people’s experiences of starting work. Most homeless people want to work but do not 1; those who do secure a job often fall out of employment2. Keeping Work explores in depth the experiences of 50 homeless people moving into work, by conducting regular interviews with them over their first six to 12 months after starting new jobs. The research aims to identify what helps homeless people sustain work and why some people lose their jobs. A full research report, including recommendations for policy-makers, service providers, employers, and homeless people wishing to move into work, will be published in June 2013.
Participants
This report is based on interviews with 50 currently or recently homeless people (who have lived in hostels or supported housing or slept rough). Initial interviews took place just before or just after starting a new job, and at the time of this report one or more follow-up interviews had been undertaken with 20 participants over their first one to ten months after starting work. Interviewees faced numerous challenges in finding and keeping work; self-reported data shows that half of those interviewed had been out of work for more than three years, half had criminal convictions and many had experienced drug, alcohol or mental health issues.
Recruiting to the project
A key challenge faced by researchers was recruiting people to take part in the research. Most agencies involved in recruitment of participants (including homelessness agencies with employment teams) found it hard to identify more than a small number of homeless people who they had helped into work. This suggests that, although agencies are clearly helping people who face barriers to employment into work, these people are primarily not core client groups such as hostel residents and those who have recently moved on. The final research report will explore this issue further.
50 jobs
Half of those interviewed accessed work through a specialist scheme provided by a voluntary organisation and others entered the mainstream job market. Only 15 had permanent contracts. Many of the 50 jobs represented were in key industries - catering and hospitality, construction, gardening and caretaking, driving and office work. Others included engineering, media, accountancy and football coaching.
Of the 50 participants, 12 are known to have fallen out of work during the research period. The most common reason for losing a job was temporary contracts or casual work ending. Four people were fired or asked not to come back to work. Several people seemed to have lost work because of a ‘one mistake and you’re out’ approach. Other reasons included not being appropriately skilled for the job and ‘unprofessional’ behaviour including anger management issues. People who were struggling in work but maintaining it, in comparison with people who had walked out of jobs or been fired, tended to have more in-work support (from either a manger or someone outside work).
Motivated to work
Those interviewed expressed a very strong motivation to work, despite often minimal or no financial gains: money was not a main motivator to move into work. A wide range of jobs gave participants a deep sense of satisfaction. Moving into work was part of a journey away from homelessness and other difficult issues. Key motivators were increased self-worth and making a positive contribution to society as well as saving for a deposit for a flat and being able to afford small luxuries. Work also alleviated boredom, reducing use of drink and drugs for some.
For many people, adapting to work came relatively easily. However, several people found adapting to the work environment more challenging, struggling with interacting with colleagues, dealing with anger and reporting sickness. This led to losing jobs in some cases.
Better off in work?
Many interviewees were willing to work for very little money: ten were receiving the minimum wage or an apprentice wage, and for several people, moving into work meant that they were worse off or only marginally better off than when they had been on benefits. Factors in this include the costs of working, debts (accrued both before and after moving into work) and delays in being paid. Several participants had had complex problems with benefits being sanctioned. Most participants had had better off in work calculations done for them by either Jobcentre Plus, a Work Programme advisor or another support worker; however, in some cases, these did not prove to be accurate, or to take into account actual outgoings. Many participants did not know how much money they would have coming in from work or benefits.
The participants would benefit from a benefits system which is easier to negotiate, helps people to avoid building up arrears when moving into work while living in a hostel and takes debt repayments and travel costs into account for better off calculations.
A time of change – issues outside work
Participants had an array of issues to cope with during their first few months at work which could sometimes be bewildering for them. Key issues were ensuring correct benefit payments and managing financially as well as often planning or undertaking a move into independent accommodation. High hostel rents could be difficult for those on a low income to meet alongside work-related outgoings, as could saving towards a deposit to move on. Some people felt that working was financially unsustainable despite wanting to work.
Support
Support with work-related and other issues can be crucial to help homeless people sustain work. For many participants, this support was most effectively provided by homelessness service providers. Participants received limited in-work support from Work Programme providers. In addition, support from line managers was a key factor in successfully settling into a job for some participants. For some people living in supported accommodation, the support provided by staff was vital. For others, staff withdrew support once they were in work in the belief that they were coping, and they did not receive the support they needed. Bullying and noise within hostels could also make working life harder to cope with.
Key interim findings
- Problems with recruitment to the research highlight the low number of homeless people being supported into work.
- Those starting work often need ongoing support. Some people said that support from their Work Programme provider or their hostel keyworker was inadequate or non existent. It is important that people who fall out of work remain linked in with employment support.
- The current benefits system can make it difficult for people who are currently or recently homeless who are moving from benefits into work. A simplified system would make it easier for people to move into work.
- Moving into work can be costly, with the need to buy travel tickets and clothes and (for some) to cope with the transition to a monthly salary. Many people accumulated personal loans and rent arrears over this period. People who received financial support over this period said that it was crucial.
1 Singh, P (2005) No Home, No Job, Off the Streets and Into Work; Opinion Leader Research (2006) Homeless people and learning and skills: participation, barriers and progression, Crisis.
2 Figures from Business in the Community Ready for Work brochure (undated).
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