Scope involvement with Workfare update: 11 April 2012

Following a thorough investigation into its involvement with the Workfare work experience scheme, Scope has decided to lift its temporary suspension of the scheme. The charity is also introducing a new Placement Agreement.
 
Commenting on the move, Richard Hawkes, Chief Executive, said: 
“Volunteers in our shops get the opportunity to learn useful new retail and customer service skills. We were concerned to hear that there was a chance that some Workfare volunteers may have come to our shops having been threatened with having their benefits taken away.

"We took the decision to suspend the scheme while we looked into the issue. I’m pleased to say we found that our volunteers’ experience was overwhelmingly positive. We will therefore continue to work with the scheme.

"But to ensure that everyone is clear on what benefits the volunteer will get from the scheme, that the volunteers themselves are not being forced to be involved and that there is an opportunity to review the placement, we have introduced a new Placement Agreement, between ourselves and the people organising the placement, such as the Job Centre. This will complement the work we already do to make sure a volunteer fully understands and is happy with what the placement entails.”