Research and analysis

Review of the Merlin Standard

This report summarises stakeholder views on content and delivery of the Merlin Standard, and makes recommendations for its future delivery.

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Documents

Review of the Merlin Standard

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email accessible.formats@dwp.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Summary: Review of the Merlin Standard

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email accessible.formats@dwp.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

We commissioned independent stakeholder research and a review of the Merlin Standard as part of our on-going commitment to the standard and its continuous improvement.

This research establishes levels of understanding of the role of Merlin after its first 3 years of operation. It also examines through an on line survey and series of focus groups, the views of prime contractors, sub-contractors, and other stakeholders including commissioners, on:

  • the extent to which the Merlin Standard and its delivery have met the needs of government and stakeholder groups
  • what works with the Merlin Standard, and areas for improvement
  • how the Merlin Standard may need to change and adapt in the future

Understanding the views of different stakeholder groups will help us to continuously improve and develop the Merlin Standard for the future.

We’re using the findings of the research to:

  • introduce, in the short term, changes and improvements to the operation of the Merlin Standard
  • inform longer term decisions on its role within future commissioning scenarios

Author: Dave Simmonds OBE (Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion)

Published 20 October 2015