Effectiveness of contracted case management services – Sole Parent Employment Service and Mental Health Employment Service trials evaluation: Final report

Between 2013 and 2017, the Ministry of Social Development conducted two trials of externally contracted case management services designed to improve employment and social outcomes for sole parents with a youngest child aged 14 years or older(Sole Parent Employment Services (SPES)) and clients with depression or a stress-related mental health condition (Mental Health Employment Services (MHES)).

An evaluation of the trials assessed whether clients who participated in externally contracted case management services spent a greater proportion of time off main benefit, compared with clients who participated in MSD-delivered case management services. The evaluation was completed in 2016.

The results showed that the SPES and MHES externally contracted case management services did not increase clients’ time off main benefit compared with MSD-delivered case management.

Both trials have been discontinued, with the MHES findings leading to the establishment of the Work to Wellness service from 1 July 2016. Work to Wellness is a specialised, externally contracted employment service for people on a benefit with a mental health condition. It includes helping people prepare for work, find a job and supporting them and their employer when they do start work.