Research and analysis

Technical Report: Survey of disadvantaged groups on Universal Credit covering: care experience, ex-offenders, homelessness and substance dependency

Published 30 October 2025

Voluntary statement of compliance with the Code of Practice for Statistics

The Code of Practice for Statistics (the Code) is built around 3 main concepts, or pillars, trustworthiness, quality and value: 

• trustworthiness – is about having confidence in the people and organisations that publish statistics 

• quality – is about using data and methods that produce assured statistics 

• value – is about publishing statistics that support society’s needs for information 

The following explains how we have applied the pillars of the Code in a proportionate way.

Trustworthiness

This survey fieldwork and analysis was carried out by IFF Research, and the segmentation analysis conducted The Stats People. Fieldwork and analysis were carried out impartially and in compliance with the Market Research Society code of conduct and Government Social Research code of practice. This report was written by the research team at IFF Research and has been checked thoroughly by analysts at the Department for Work and Pensions to ensure it meets the highest standards of analysis and drafting.

Quality

The survey was carried out using established quantitative research methodology and statistical methods. The research has been quality assured using IFF Research internal quality checking processes, which have been shared with the Department for Work and Pensions. The Stats People also implemented a robust Quality Assurance structure involving internal peer review and sign-off of the segmentation model, following ISO:9001 2015, ISO 20252, and the 2023 MRS Code of Conduct principles. All work conducted by The Stats People was also quality assured by IFF Research as lead contractors. The analysis of findings and report writing has been quality assured by analysts at the Department for Work and Pensions.

Value

This survey provides insight into the motivations and barriers to work for Universal Credit claimants who have experienced at least one of the following forms of disadvantage: experience of homelessness, experience of a substance dependency, experience of the care system as a child, or being an ex-offender. The findings of this survey provide robust data on the support needs of these claimants, to inform future policy development.

1. Introduction

The DWP commissioned IFF Research to conduct a large-scale quantitative survey of Universal Credit (UC) claimants who have experienced different forms of disadvantage: people with experience of the care system, ex-offenders, those with experiences of homelessness, and those with experience of substance dependency. The survey was designed to:

1. Measure the incidence rate and profile of the four groups facing disadvantage within the UC claimant population, and the overlap between them (those facing ‘multiple disadvantage’)

2. Understand current and past experiences of working, and attitudes to work more broadly, among claimants with these experiences of disadvantage

3. Identify barriers to work faced by these claimants

4. Explore the types of support that claimants were accessing or would be interested in accessing in the future

This paper outlines the methodological approach taken for this research, including:  

• sampling 

• research materials 

• pilot and mainstage fieldwork 

• response rates 

• data processing and coding 

• weighting and analysis

• the survey questionnaire

2. Sampling

Pre survey feasibility study

A pre-survey feasibility study was conducted to inform the sample design. This involved a 5-minute survey aimed at estimating the incidence rate of the four groups facing disadvantage within the UC claimant population and establishing whether a Random Probability Sampling (RPS) survey would be feasible. In total, 10,200 claimants were invited to take part in the feasibility study, and 1,728 UC claimants took part.

This feasibility study showed that a Random Probability Sampling (RPS) survey was possible for the mainstage study. However, it also showed that a boost survey would be needed to complement the RPS survey for care leavers due to the low incidence rate of care leavers in the UC population.

RPS sampling

The starting sample for the mainstage survey contained 93,131 UC claimants. UC claimants identified as ‘potentially violent’, those who were under an appointeeship, and those who had participated in other DWP research in the last 3 years were excluded before records were drawn. Most of the UC claimants (81,870) were drawn at random from the DWP UC claimant database (with the above exclusions applied), for a Random Probability Sampling (RPS) approach. The sample was drawn in April 2024 and so was based upon data in the UC claimant database at this point.

The RPS method involves selecting participants so that each individual in the target population has an equal probability of being chosen, ensuring that they are selected for participation at random. Rules are also put in place around contacting respondents, to ensure that they are contacted equally, and more detail of this is provided in Chapter 3. This minimises bias in the sample so it better reflects the true population, allowing for more confident generalisation of survey findings to the relevant population.

Boost survey sampling

The remainder of the sample records (11,261) were drawn for the boost survey among care leavers. The boost sample comprised 9,009 claimants with the verified care leaver^{[footnote 1]} marker on their record, and 2,252 who had the unverified care leaver^{[footnote 2]} marker. The targets set for this element of the research were 500 verified care leaver responses and 125 unverified care leaver responses. The sample requested for each boost group was calculated using the incidence rates for each group and the response rates that were calculated from the feasibility study.

3. Research Materials and fieldwork

Questionnaire

The survey began with an extensive screener section (which had also been thoroughly tested through the feasibility study), to establish the incidence rate of the disadvantaged groups, and to establish the relevance of the remaining survey for respondents. These 2 aspects will be referred to as the screener survey and main survey throughout this technical report. The screener survey was completed by all respondents (14,321) and the main survey was completed only by the claimants who reported experiencing at least one of the 4 disadvantages (3,340).  

The core topics covered in each element of the survey are detailed below.

Screener survey

This established if claimants had experienced any of the following four forms of disadvantage, covering:

• experiences of homelessness including time since last experience (and whether in the last 2 years), forms of homelessness experienced, and risk of homelessness in the next 2 months 

• history of offending including sentences received and time since last custodial or community sentence experience

• experiences of care, including type that was experienced, age when claimants entered and left care, and length of care experience from the age of 14 

• experiences of dependency on alcohol or drugs in the past 2 years

Main survey

• main goals or aspirations over the next 2 years 

• experience of work including current working status and employment history

• attitudes to work 

• barriers to work 

• mental and physical health of claimants

• support needs 

• experiences of Jobcentre Plus 

• access to services, including access to the internet and confidence using it

• demographics

The full survey is included in Appendix A: Survey Questionnaire.

Cognitive Testing

Before beginning the data collection, IFF conducted 18 Cognitive interviews to test and refine the survey questionnaire with UC claimants between the 13 March 2024 and 4 April 2024.

The cognitive testing interviews included the following numbers of claimants in each of these groups:

• 7 care leavers 

• 9 ex-offenders 

• 11 claimants with experiences of homelessness in the past 2 years 

• 6 claimants with experiences of substance dependence in the past 2 years

Pilot fieldwork

The pilot fieldwork period took place between the 14 and 19 May. A total of 180 screener completes and 49 full survey completes were achieved. The survey was piloted to test the survey, including its length.

Mainstage fieldwork

The main stage of the survey began on 29 July 2024 and ran to 13 October 2024.

Respondents were contacted in an even way, in accordance with an RPS approach. This means that maximum and minimum number of attempts to contact respondents were set to avoid non-response bias affecting results as much as possible.

Participants were set a maximum number of contact attempts at 8. Given that this was a mixed modes (online and telephone) survey, participants were initially invited to take part in an online survey via email or a letter if an email address was not available. In accordance with an RPS approach, following 2 reminder emails, a follow-up telephone survey was conducted, with respondents contacted a maximum of 4 times via telephone (if they did not complete the survey or opt-out). A final reminder email was also sent out to ensure that all respondents were contacted 8 times.

The subject line of the initial invite and reminders was “help DWP understand Universal Credit customers better”. An alternative - “your chance to help DWP improve support for people like you” – was tested during the feasibility study, but claimants who saw this version were slightly less likely to respond. SMS reminders were also tested during the feasibility study, but this did not lead to a significantly higher response rate compared to those who did not receive SMS reminders, and so were not used in the mainstage fieldwork. An incentive was not offered for completing the mainstage survey.

Telephone fieldwork began on 12 August 2024. A breakdown of screener and survey responses by RPS and boost surveys is provided in Table 3.1 below.

Table 3.1 Breakdown of survey responses by RPS and boost samples

Homelessness	Total	RPS sample	Boost sample
Screener responses	14,321	13,598	723
Full survey responses	3,340	2,617	723

Base: All RPS UC claimants (13,598); All UC claimants in a disadvantaged group (3,340).

The 13,598 screener responses from the RPS element were used to measure the incidence of each disadvantage in the UC claimant population.

Sample outcomes and Response rates

The final response rate of the mainstage fieldwork was 15.4%. A full breakdown of the state of the sample at the end of the fieldwork period can be seen in Table 3.2 below.

• Total Screener completes – all records that completed the screener and were included in the incidence rate analysis 

• Sample left in field – this includes records that were invited to complete the survey online but did not and who had then been contacted by telephone but not the maximum number of times (4 attempts) before fieldwork ended. This could include those who requested an appointment towards the end of fieldwork that prevented them from being contacted 4 times by telephone. This also included people who completed part of a survey but then did not complete the remainder

• Removed from Analysis – records that had completed the screener but were later identified as not eligible for the analysis and were removed. This included pilot responses, those who asked for their data to be deleted, or for data cleaning purposes (for example to remove those who had provided low quality responses)

• Refusals – individuals that were successfully contacted but who did not wish to take part

• Unusable record – sample that was not usable during fieldwork, for example because their contact details were not useable or because they were unavailable during the fieldwork period

• Ineligible – not on UC – sample that screened out of the survey because they were not on UC

• Unobtainable – sample that was contacted the maximum number of times and registered as unobtainable

Table 3.2 Mainstage fieldwork - sample breakdown

Category	Number	Percentage
Starting sample	93,131	Not applicable
Total screener completes	14,321	15.4%
Sample left in field	14,404	15.5%
Removed from analysis	181	0.2%
Refusals	5,332	5.7%
Unusable record (for example wrong number, not available during fieldwork, number would not connect)	19,919	21.4%
Ineligible – not on UC	2,489	2.7%
Unobtainable sample	36,485	39.2%

Survey Length

The survey had an overall median length of 25 minutes. This broke down to be a length of 15 minutes for online surveys, and 28 minutes for telephone surveys.

4. Data processing and Coding

Upon fieldwork completion, the data was processed into Excel tables and an SPSS dataset. The data outputs underwent comprehensive checks against the raw data collected to ensure the accuracy of elements such as labelling and base sizes. Summary variables were defined to summarise scale questions (for example combining “Strongly agree” with “Agree” to create a summary of those who agreed with a statement) or to add banding to numeric questions.

Excel tables were produced with Z and T tests run at the 95% confidence level (more detail on significance testing is provided in Chapter 5). Z and T tests are statistical tests that establish the significance of findings within a given population. Z tests are more heavily used in the data tables and form the standard type of significance testing used broadly across market research studies. This is because Z testing is generally accepted to be the most suitable for the type of data analysed in survey research – for example generally Z-tests are thought to be more useful with total base sizes over 30, whereas T-tests would be more useful for lower base sizes. T tests are most commonly used in the data tables for any mean figures produced.

Coding 

Coded responses were then added to the data. Any verbatim responses that matched pre-existing response options in the questionnaire were coded to these options. New codes were agreed with the DWP team. Responses from open questions and questions with “other specify” response options were coded by IFF Research’s in-house coding team.

5. Weighting and Analysis

Data Weighting and Analysis

Weighting has been applied to make the analysis representative of the UC claimant population and to correct for non-response bias during the data collection process. 

There were 2 stages to this weighting process as described below.

Stage one weight

The first weight applied to the data was a non-response weight. This was applied only to the RPS screener completes and was designed to correct for non-response bias amongst survey respondents. Non-response weighting is designed to ensure that the achieved survey responses reflect the population’s demographics or characteristics, improving representativeness and accuracy of results for unbiased conclusions.

This weight was calculated using the UC population statistics at the time the sample was drawn (April 2024). 

This weight was used for all analysis of incidence rates of disadvantage presented in this report. 

Weight one took account of the following characteristics:

• age 

• household type 

• UC Labour Market Regime 

• claim length 

• sex 

• region

Table 5.1 provides the weighting grids used for each of these characteristics, as well as the weighting grid for the second stage of weighting, which is explained further below. The first weight was set to be the same as the UC claimant population.

Table 5.1 Stage one and stage two weighting grid: age

Age	UC claimant population, used for stage one weighting	RPS sample	Stage two weighting grid to correct for boost sample
16 to 19	2.5%	2.4%	8.6%
20 to 24	9.8%	7.9%	21.2%
25 to 34	26.2%	26.0%	27.6%
35 to 44	27.5%	28.5%	18.7%
45 to 54	18.6%	19.3%	14.0%
55 to 64	13.6%	14.1%	9.2%
65 and above	1.7%	1.7%	0.6%

Table 5.1 Stage one and stage two weighting grid: Household type

Household type	UC Claimant Population, used for stage one weighting	RPS Sample	Stage two weighting grid to correct for boost sample
Single, no children	44.3%	40.8%	60.7%
Single, with children	36.5%	37.5%	27.7%
Couple, no children	3.7%	4.0%	3.1%
Couple, with children	15.5%	17.6%	8.6%

Table 5.1 Stage one and stage two weighting grid: UC Labour Market Regime

UC Labour Market Regime	UC Claimant Population, used for stage one weighting	RPS Sample	Stage two weighting grid to correct for boost sample
Work Focussed Interview Only	1.7%	1.8%	1.9%
No Work-Related Requirements	36.3%	35.3%	44.9%
Working Enough	16.1%	18.3%	7.6%
Light Touch – in or out of work	13.6%	14.8%	6.9%
Work Preparation	5.9%	5.8%	7.0%
Intensive Work Search	26.4%	24.1%	31.6%

Table 5.1 Stage one and stage two weighting grid: claim length

Claim length	UC Claimant Population, used for stage one weighting	RPS Sample	Stage two weighting grid to correct for boost sample
Up to 3 months	8.7%	9.8%	8.0%
3 months up to 6 months	8.2%	9.1%	7.9%
6 months up to 1 year	11.7%	12.8%	11.6%
1 year up to 2 years	17.0%	16.7%	15.4%
2 years up to 3 years	12.5%	11.6%	13.2%
3 years up to 4 years	14.1%	13.6%	13.3%
4 years up to 5 years	15.0%	14.3%	14.9%
5 years and over	12.7%	12.1%	15.7%

Table 5.1 Stage one and stage two weighting grid: sex

Sex	UC Claimant Population, used for stage one weighting	RPS Sample	Stage two weighting grid to correct for boost sample
Male	40.9%	38.6%	47.3%
Female	59.1%	61.4%	52.7%

Table 5.1 Stage one and stage two weighting grid: region

Region	UC Claimant Population, used for stage one weighting	RPS Sample	Stage two weighting grid to correct for boost sample
East Midlands	7.8%	7.8%	8.4%
East of England	8.9%	9.0%	8.0%
London	17.3%	17.6%	15.1%
North East	5.4%	5.1%	5.4%
North West	14.4%	14.4%	16.9%
South East	12.0%	12.2%	12.4%
South West	7.8%	7.8%	8.9%
West Midlands	10.9%	10.8%	10.2%
Yorkshire and The Humber	10.1%	10.1%	9.5%
Northern Ireland	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Scotland	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Wales	5.5%	5.2%	5.5%

Stage two weight

The second weight allowed the interviews obtained from the boost sample with those who were care experienced to be incorporated into the dataset of interviews from the RPS sample without them being over-represented.

There was no reliable population data on care experienced UC claimants that could be used for weighting. However, the weighted RPS dataset created through this survey provided data on the proportion of the UC claimant population that are care experienced, and their demographic profile.

This information was used to derive weights that brought responses from those who were care experienced (across the RPS and boost samples) back to the correct proportion and profile and also weighted care experienced responses back to the profile of care experienced claimants in the population. Table 5.1 above provides the weighting grid for care experienced claimants for the second stage of weighting.

As part of the second stage of weighting, responses from across the RPS and boost sampling stages were brought back into line with the disadvantaged group incidence rates seen in the RPS sample, weighted using the first stage of weighting. This included down-weighting care experienced responses as well as accounting for a small number of individuals interviewed as part of the care experienced boost who did not identify themselves as care experienced but were in another disadvantaged group and hence qualified for the main survey. There were only 20 of these responses.

This weight has been used for analysis of all findings other than incidence rates, that is, all the analysis based just on those experiencing one of the four types of disadvantage covered by the main survey.

The weighting grid relating to disadvantaged group proportions that was used for this weight can be seen below in Table 5.2. All completed surveys were weighted back to these figures to remove the over-representation of care experienced claimants in the analysis.

Table 5.2 Stage two weighting grid - disadvantage

Disadvantaged group	Population
Homelessness	8.7%
Substance dependency	6.6%
Ex-offenders	6.1%
Care experienced	7.0%

After the weights were run, these were checked to ensure weights were not unreasonably large or small and had a good weighting efficiency. These measures were checked to ensure that the design effect was not too great and to ensure that the weighting approach was suitably precise. Each of these measures is provided in Table 5.3 below for both the stage one weight and the stage two weight.

Table 5.3 Weighting metrics

Weighing metrics	Stage one weight	Stage two weight
Smallest weight	0.48	0.12
Largest weight	2.04	2.3
Unweighted base size	13,598	3,340
Effective sample size	12,308	2,653
Weighting efficiency	91%	79%

Error margins

Margin of error provides the range of true results that a survey may provide for each finding in the survey.  

The margin of error for incidence rates of disadvantaged groups within the UC claimant population are provided in Table 5.4 below.  

The margin of error for incidence rates of the four disadvantaged groups within the UC population ranges from ±0.4pp to ±0.5pp at the 95% confidence level. This means we can be 95% confident that the true figure lies within plus or minus 0.5 percentage points of the figures generated through the survey. For example, using the figures below, we can be 95% confident that substance dependency has an incidence rate within the UC claimant population between 6.2% and 7.0%, given that the finding from the survey was 6.6% and this finding has a margin of error of ±0.4pp.

Table 5.4 Margin of error for incidence rates of disadvantaged groups

Disadvantaged group	Margin of error
Homelessness	±0.5pp
Substance dependency	±0.4pp
Ex-offenders	±0.4pp
Care experienced	±0.4pp

The margin of error for survey findings of 10 or 90% within the four disadvantaged groups ranges from ±1.5pp to ±2.0pp (at the 95% confidence level), and this is detailed in Table 5.5 below. The margin of error for a survey finding of 50% within disadvantaged groups ranged from ±2.5pp to ±3.5pp. These figures have been provided at 10/90% and 50% findings to give a sense of the range of margins of error in the survey data, with margins of error being larger nearer to a survey finding of 50% and smaller when further away from 50%.

Table 5.4 Margin of error for incidence rates of disadvantaged groups

Disadvantaged group	Margin of error (10/90% mark)	Margin of error (50% mark)
All	±1.0pp	±1.7pp
Homelessness	±1.7pp	±2.8pp
Substance dependency	±2.0pp	±3.3pp
Ex-offenders	±2.1p	±3.5pp
Care experienced	±1.5pp	±2.5pp

Interpretation of data

Because of the scale of overlaps between disadvantaged groups, direct comparison between the groups can be misleading. When comparisons have been made in the main report regarding experiences of disadvantage, it is between claimants who have that experience and those that do not, for example between ex-offenders and those who are not ex-offenders. This is usually referred to as between ex-offenders and claimants with other disadvantaged experiences or in other disadvantaged groups. 

When reporting sub-group differences, findings are only reported when they are statistically significant. Statistical significance is an important element of understanding survey findings, with it measuring confidence in the findings that emerge from the research. The industry standard for market and social research is to use 95% confidence as a minimum to report findings. This means that there is less than a 5% chance that results provided differ by chance. This means that if a finding is reported as different, for example, between male and female UC claimants, then there is a minimum of 95% confidence that the difference reported is real.  

Population size, sample size, design effect of weighting, and standard deviation are all used to calculate the statistical significance of findings. 

It is also worth noting that findings in the report may at times appear to add up incorrectly due to rounding, which may include single code findings summing to 99% or 101% rather than 100%. This is because many findings in the report are rounded to the nearest integer, which can mean that figures do not appear to sum correctly. An example of this would be results of 1.4% and 3.4%, which would be shown as 1% and 3%. If these figures were reported as a sum, the report would show that sum to be 5%: this is of course correct (4.8% rounds to 5%), but would look incorrect as the rounded figures of 1% and 3% appear to correctly sum to 4%.

6. Appendix A – Survey Questionnaire

Disadvantaged Groups Survey

S: Screener

S1

Ask person who answers the phone:

Good morning or afternoon or evening my name is [caller’s name] and I’m calling on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions from IFF Research. I’m looking to speak to [respondent’s name] please?

Response	Code	Action
Respondent answers phone	1	Continue
Transferred to respondent	2	Continue
Hard appointment	3	Make appointment
Soft Appointment	4	Make appointment
Would prefer to complete in Welsh	Empty cell	Empty cell
Engaged	5	Call back
Refusal	6	Close
Do not speak English	16	Close
Completed Online	14	Close
Would prefer to complete online	15	Close
Not available in deadline	7	Close
Fax Line	8	Close
No reply / Answer phone	9	Close
Business Number	10	Close
Dead line	11	Close
Respondent deceased	13	Close
Respondent not at this number	12	Record as incorrect number given
Request reassurance email	Empty cell	Collect email address then continue or make appointment (see appendix for email text)

Ask all

S2

Good morning or afternoon or evening, my name is [caller’s name] and I’m calling on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions from IFF Research. I’m calling today as we are helping with research to better understand the experiences and support needs of people receiving Universal Credit.

Participating could make a significant difference in shaping better support services for others in the future. Your responses will remain completely anonymous, and participating won’t affect any current or future support you may receive. Your input matters, it would be great if we could run through some quick questions together now please?

Add if necessary:

I would like to reassure you that the answers you give here will not affect any current or future support you may receive from the DWP. Information you share with us will be anonymised so that you cannot be identified.

The call today may take up to  30 minutes

We will cover some questions about your experience of the Universal Credit service and some questions about your own personal circumstances.

Is now a good time to run through these questions?

Response	Code	Action
Continue	Empty cell	Continue
Referred to someone else in the household: name []	1	Transfer and re-introduce
Hard appointment	2	Make appointment
Soft appointment	3	Make appointment
Refusal	4	Thank and close
Empty cell	Empty cell	Thank and close
Refusal - taken part in a recent survey	6	Thank and close
Not available in deadline	7	Thank and close
Do not speak English	8	Thank and close
Request reassurance email	Empty cell	Collect email address then continue or make appointment (see appendix for email text)

S3

Reassurances to use if necessary:

The interview will may take up to  30 minutes to complete. Please note that  your answers will not be reported to the DWP in any way that would allow you to be identified.

If respondent wishes to confirm validity of survey or get more information about aims and objectives, they can contact:

• MRS contact details
• IFF contact details
• DWP contact details

A: Experience of DWP services and eligibility

Ask all CATI:

Thank you for your interest in participating in this research.

Ask all online:

Thank you for your interest in participating in this research. This survey is being run by an independent research agency, IFF Research, on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The DWP have commissioned this research because they want to understand more about the experiences and support needs of people who are receiving Universal Credit. The information you give will be used to help improve the support on offer in the future.

The survey will cover some questions about your experience of the Universal Credit service and some questions about your own personal circumstances.

I would like to reassure you that the answers you give here will not affect any current or future support you may receive from the DWP. Information you share with us will be anonymised so that you cannot be identified.

We have made a short FAQ document that may answer queries that you have about this research, which can be accessed here. If you have any other questions, please contact [].

Ask all:

Before we continue any further, I just wanted to check that you currently claim Universal Credit?

Single code

Response	Code	Action
Yes	1
No	2	screen out
Don’t know	3	DNRO screen out

[Online] Show text/ [CATI] read out if A1=2 or 3

Unfortunately, for the remainder of the survey, we are looking to talk to people who are currently claiming Universal Credit, and since you have indicated you are not currently claiming Universal Credit, you are not eligible to participate in the remainder of this research. On behalf of DWP, we thank you for your participation in this survey.

B: Screener

Ask all:

The next few questions are about your personal circumstances. This is to help the DWP to understand more about the experiences and support needs of people who are receiving Universal Credit. Questions covered will include any experiences you may have had with being looked after by children’s services in the UK, the criminal justice system, homelessness and substance addiction.

If at any point you don’t feel comfortable answering a question, this is completely fine [If CATI: just let me know and we can move on, if online: you can just use the ‘prefer not to say’ option and move on].

Add if necessary

Again, I would like to reassure you that the answers you give here will not affect any current or future support you may receive from the DWP and you will not be identified in the survey results.

Ask all

B1

Firstly, before the age of 18, were you ever looked after by children’s services in the UK in any of the following places?

This is also known as living ‘in care’ of a council or local authority.

Multi code: randomise

CATI: read out

Response	Code	Action
Foster care	1	Empty cell
Residential children’s home	2	Empty cell
Supported accommodation	3	Empty cell
With your parents, grandparents, other family or friends with support from social services	4	Empty cell
Somewhere else (please specify)	5	WRITE IN. FIX. DNRO
No – I have never been in care	6	FIX. EXCLUSIVE. DNRO
Don’t know or can’t remember	7	FIX. EXCLUSIVE. DNRO
Prefer not to say	8	FIX. EXCLUSIVE. DNRO

Ask if care experienced (B1=1-5)

B2

Between what ages were you in care?

CATI add if necessary:

It doesn’t matter for these purposes if there are gaps in this period, please give the age at which you entered care for the first time and left it for the final time.

Write in:

Response	Code	Action
Age when you first entered	B2_A	Write in range 0 to 19
Age when you left care for the final time	B2_B	Write in range 0 to 25 (and at least as old as answer at B2_A)
Don’t know / can’t remember	2	Option for both B2_A and B2_B. DNRO
Prefer not to say	3	Options for both B2_A and B2 B. DNRO

Ask if care experienced (B1=1-5) and left care after age 14 (B2_b = 14+)

B3

From the age of 14, did you live in care for at least 13 weeks (around 3 months)? The 13 weeks (or around 3 months) do not have to be all in one go.

Single code. DNRO

Response	Code	Action
Yes	1	Empty cell
No	2	Empty cell
Don’t know / can’t remember	3	DNRO
Prefer not to say	4	DNRO

dDummy: Care leaver: Left care at or aged 16 (B2_B =16+ and in care aged 14 to 16 for more than 13 weeks (B3= 1).

Ask all

B4

Thank you for your answers so far. Our next set of questions are about any contact you may have had with the criminal justice system.

[CATI: add if necessary]:

Again, with these questions, you have the option of choosing ‘prefer not to say’ and moving on - but your answers will help DWP understand the experiences and support needs of those receiving Universal Credit.

Ask all

Have you ever had any criminal convictions (including youth offences or community sentences)?

[CATI: add if necessary]:

This does not include cautions or fines.

Single code. DNRO.

Response	Code	Action
Yes	1	Empty cell
No	2	Empty cell
Prefer not to say	3	Empty cell

Ask if have any criminal convictions (B4=1)

B5

And did you receive any of the following sentences for this/these criminal convictions?

Multi code. CATI: read out.

Response	Code	Action
Time in prison	1	Empty cell
Time in a young-offender institution	2	Empty cell
A community sentence	3	Empty cell
A suspended sentence	4	Empty cell
None of these	5	EXCLUSIVE
Prefer not to say	6	EXCLUSIVE. DNRO

B6

Question removed during development

If served custodial sentence (B5 = 1 OR B5=2)

B6a

When were you last in prison or a young-offender institution?

Single code. CATI: read out

Response	Code	Action
Less than 1 year ago	1	Empty cell
Between 1 year and less than 3 years ago	2	Empty cell
Between 3 years and less than 5 years ago	3	Empty cell
Between 5 years and less than 10 years ago	4	Empty cell
More than 10 years ago	5	Empty cell
Don’t know	7	DNRO
Prefer not to say	8	DNRO

B7

Question removed during development

If served a community sentence (B5 = 3)

B7b

When did you complete your community sentence?

Single code. CATI: read out

Response	Code	Action
My community sentence is still ongoing	1	Empty cell
Less than 1 year ago	2	Empty cell
Between 1 year and less than 3 years ago	3	Empty cell
Between 3 years and less than 5 years ago	4	Empty cell
Between 5 years and less than 10 years ago	5	Empty cell
More than 10 years ago	6	Empty cell
Don’t know	8	DNRO
Prefer not to say	9	DNRO

dDummy: Ex offender (B5=1 to 4)

Ask all

We now have some questions about your housing situation and whether you have ever experienced homelessness.

[CATI: add if necessary]:

Again, with these questions, you have the option of choosing ‘prefer not to say’ and moving on - but your answers will help DWP understand the experiences and support needs of those receiving Universal Credit.

Ask all:

In the past 2 years, have you experienced homelessness?

This could include staying in: temporary accommodation; a hostel, refuge or emergency accommodation; sofa surfing with friends or family; or sleeping rough.

Single code. DNRO.

Response	Code	Action
Yes	1	Empty cell
No	2	Empty cell
Prefer not to say	3	Empty cell

B9

Question moved down - placeholder to retain numbering.

Ask if experienced homelessness (B8=1).

B10

how long ago were you recently homeless?

Add if necessary:

Please round up to the nearest month, e.g. if it was less than one month ago please answer “1 month”, and if it was 6 weeks ago please answer “2 months”.

Write in numeric months and years.

Response	Code	Action
I am currently homeless	1	EXCLUSIVE
Prefer not to say	2	EXCLUSIVE. DNRO

If homeless in the last 2 years and B10 is over 2 years (B8=1 & B10>2 YEARS), please should validation error message:

In the previous question you indicated that you were last homeless in the last 2 years. If you have not been, please answer that you have not been homeless in the previous years by selecting “None of the above”. If you have been, please amend your answer to indicate when you were most recently homeless in the last 2 years.

Ask if experienced homelessness (B8=1).

B9

In the past 2 years, have you ever had to do any of the following things because of experiencing homelessness?

Multicode. Randomise. CATI: read out:

Response	Code	Action
Stayed overnight in a bed and breakfast or hotel arranged by your local authority	1	Empty cell
Stayed overnight in temporary rented accommodation or room in a shared house arranged by your local authority	2	Empty cell
Stayed overnight in a hostel, refuge, shelter or supported housing	3	Empty cell
Sofa surfed or temporarily stayed with family or friends	4	Empty cell
Slept rough	5	Empty cell
Other (Please specify)	6	WRITE IN. FIX.
None of the above	7	FIX. EXCLUSIVE. DNRO
Prefer not to say	8	FIX. EXCLUSIVE. DNRO

dDummy: experienced homelessness last 2 years: B9=1-6.

Ask all except those currently homeless (B10 does not equal 1).

B9a

• A1a    Are you at risk of becoming homeless within the next 2 months (56 days) for example you have been threatened with eviction?

[CATI: add if necessary]:

This could be because: you have received an eviction notice, your tenancy agreement is ending, or you can no longer stay with family or friends, and have nowhere else to live.

Single code. DNRO.

Response	Code	Action
Yes	1	Empty cell
No	2	Empty cell
Prefer not to say	3	Empty cell

B10

Placeholder to retain order at B10 moved up

Show all:

We now have some questions about your usage of any alcohol or drugs. We appreciate your answers so far, and all your responses will be completely anonymous.

[CATI: add if necessary]:

Again, with these questions, you have the option of choosing ‘prefer not to say’ and moving on - but your answers will help DWP understand the experiences and support needs of those receiving Universal Credit.

Ask all:

B11

In the past 2 years, have you ever been dependent on alcohol? By dependent we mean that feeling the need to drink is too strong to control, and having difficulty coping with life without it.

Single code. DNRO.

Response	Code	Action
Yes – I have been dependent on alcohol	1	Empty cell
No	2	Empty cell
Don’t know	3	Empty cell
Prefer not to say	4	Empty cell

Ask all

B12

And in the past 2 years, have you ever been dependent on illegal drugs, or addicted to prescription drugs? By dependent or addicted, we mean that feeling the need to take drugs is too strong to control, and having difficulty coping with life without them.

Single code. DNRO.

Response	Code	Action
Yes – I have been dependent on illegal drugs and/or prescription drugs	1	Empty cell
No	2	Empty cell
Don’t know	3	Empty cell
Prefer not to say	4	Empty cell

If substance dependent = no and care experienced = no and ex-offender = no and experienced homelessness = no then screen out of survey and show or read out below text [(B1 not equal to any 1-5) and (B5 not equal 1-4) and (B9 not equal to any 1-6) and (B11 not equal 1 and B12 not equal 1)].

Many thanks once again for your responses to this survey. We really appreciate your responses. I would like to reassure you that the answers you have given here today will not affect any current or future support you may receive from the DWP. Information you shared with us will be anonymised. Your responses will help the DWP to understand the profile of Universal Credit claimants to help them to design their services to meet the needs of those that use Universal Credit.

C: Experience of work

Ask all:

Thank you for sharing. We would now like to ask you some questions about your future goals and aspirations.

Ask all:

C1

Thinking broadly about your life, what are your main goals or aspirations for the next 2 years?

Write in:

Response	Code	Action
Refused	1	DNRO

Ask all:

We would now like to ask you some questions about your experience of work so we can make sure our questions are relevant to you. DWP is interested in all experiences regardless of whether you have lots of work experience or none.

Ask all:

C2

How would you describe your current working status?

[CATI: read out if necessary]:

If you identify with several options, please select the one that you spend the majority of your time doing.

Single code. Read out.

Response	Code	Action
Employed full-time or part-time	1	Empty cell
Employed, but not currently working – e.g. on sick leave, maternity leave	2	Empty cell
Self-employed	3	Empty cell
Unemployed but looking for a job	4	Empty cell
Unemployed and not looking for a job	5	Empty cell
Long-term sick or disabled	6	Empty cell
Full-time parent	7	Empty cell
Full-time carer	8	Empty cell
Retired	9	Empty cell
Student or Pupil	10	Empty cell
Other (Please specify)	11	PLEASE SPECIFY
Prefer not to say	12	DNRO

If not in employment (C2=4-10)

C3

How long is it since you last had paid work (either full or part time)?

Single code. Read out.

Response	Code	Action
Less than 1 year ago	1	Empty cell
Between 1 year and less than 3 years ago	2	Empty cell
Between 3 years and less than 5 years ago	3	Empty cell
Between 5 years and less than 10 years ago	4	Empty cell
More than 10 years ago	5	Empty cell
I have never worked before	9	Empty cell
Don’t know [DS – exclusive code]	7	DNRO
Prefer not to say [DS – exclusive code]	8	DNRO

If in employment (C2=1-2).

C4

Which of the following best describes your contract in your main job? Is it….

Single code. Read out.

Response	Code	Action
A permanent or open ended job with a fixed or minimum number of hours per week	1	Empty cell
A temporary fixed term or seasonal job with a specified end date and regular or minimum number of hours	2	Empty cell
A zero hours job with no specified minimum number of hours and no guarantee of hours from week to week	3	Empty cell
Something else (specify)	4	Empty cell
Don’t know	5	DNRO
Prefer not to say	6	DNRO

Ask all

C5

Which of the following best describes your experience of any paid work since leaving education?

[CATI: add if necessary]:

We are interested in all paid work, including apprenticeships, but not unpaid work experience, voluntary work, or unpaid caring.

Single code. Read out.

Response	Code	Action
Spent most of my time not working	1	Empty cell
Spent about as much time working as not working	2	Empty cell
Worked solidly with a few breaks of 3 months or more	3	Empty cell
Worked solidly without a break of 3 months or more until recently	4	Empty cell
[C2=1 TO 3] Worked solidly without a break of 3 months or more and working currently	5	Empty cell
Don’t know	6	DNRO
Prefer not to say	7	DNRO

D: Attitudes to work

Ask if not in employment (C2=4-10):

Thank you for sharing. We would now like you ask you a few questions about your future work plans or aspirations.

Ask if not in employment (C2=4-10):

D1

Which of the following is closest to how you currently feel about paid work?

By ‘work’ we also mean part-time work or self-employment – not just full-time employment.

Single code. Read out

Response	Code	Action
Paid work is not a realistic goal for me, my circumstances rule it out as an option now and in the future	1	Empty cell
With the right support work is a realistic goal for me within the next 12 months	2	Empty cell
With the right support work is a realistic goal for me, but not in the next 12 months	3	Empty cell
I could return to work now if the right job was available or if I had the right support	4	Empty cell
Don’t know	5	[EXCLUSIVE]
Prefer not to say [DS – EXCLUSIVE CODE]	6	[EXCLUSIVE]

Ask if not in employment (C2=4-10).

D2

On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is “strongly disagree” and 5 is “strongly agree”, how much do you agree or disagree with the following statements…

Randomise. Do not read out scale.

Response	Score	Score	Score	Score	Score	Don’t know (DNRO)
_1 Jobs on offer do not pay enough to make working financially worthwhile	Strongly disagree: 1	2	3	4	Strongly agree: 5	6
_2 I would be happier and more fulfilled if I was working	Strongly disagree: 1	2	3	4	Strongly agree: 5	6
_3 REMOVED DURING DEVELOPMENT	Empty cell	Empty cell	Empty cell	Empty cell	Empty cell	Empty cell
_4 REMOVED DURING DEVELOPMENT	Empty cell	Empty cell	Empty cell	Empty cell	Empty cell	Empty cell
_5 REMOVED DURING DEVELOPMENT	Empty cell	Empty cell	Empty cell	Empty cell	Empty cell	Empty cell
6 The jobs on offer are not flexible enough for my circumstances	Strongly disagree: 1	2	3	4	Strongly agree: 5	6

D3

Question removed during development.

D4

Question removed during development.

D5

Question removed during development.

E: Barriers to work

Ask all:

The next few questions are about work. Even if you are not interested in paid work, or already have a job we would still like to understand more about your views and experience.

E1

Question removed during development.

Ask all:

E2

Over the last 6 months, have any of the following made it difficult for you to [if not in work (C2 =/= 1-3) get a job?] [if not in work (C2=1-3) stay in your job?]

Multi code. Randomise. Read out.

Response	Code	Action
Not having the right skills or qualifications for the jobs available	1	Empty cell
Few jobs available where you live	2	Empty cell
Lack of recent experience of working	3	Empty cell
Lack of confidence in applying for jobs	4	Empty cell
Lack of suitable or affordable childcare	5	Empty cell
Need to take care of an elderly, ill or disabled friend or relative	6	Empty cell
Issues with your citizenship or visa status	7	Empty cell
Physical or mental health conditions or disabilities	8	Empty cell
Having a learning difficulty or neurodiverse condition, for example, dyslexia or dyspraxia	9	Empty cell
Your age	10	Empty cell
Employers discriminating against you because of your experiences or background (for example if you have been a care leaver, experienced homelessness, substance dependency, or any experience of the criminal justice system / having a criminal record)	13	Empty cell
Other (Please Specify)	14	WRITE IN. FIX. EXCLUSIVE. DNRO
None of these	15	FIX [EXCLUSIVE]
Prefer not to say	16	FIX [EXCLUSIVE]

Ask all:

E3

Thinking about the following experiences you told us about to what extent does it [if in employment (c2=1-3): make it more difficult for you to stay in your job] [if not in employment (c2 =/= 1-3): make it more difficult for you to get a job]? Please answer on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 means “Not more difficult” and 5 means “A lot more difficult”.

Ask only for disadvantages previously identified.

Response	Score	Score	Score	Score	Score	Don’t Know
[If they have experienced homelessness (B9=1, 2, 3, 4, 5, OR 6)] Your experience of being homeless	Not more difficult: 1	2	3	4	A lot more difficult: 5	6
[If they are care experienced (B1=1 TO 5))] Your childhood experience of being in care / receiving support from social services	Not more difficult: 1	2	3	4	A lot more difficult: 5	6
[If they have experienced substance dependency (B11=1 OR B12=1)] Your experience of substance dependency (alcohol or drugs)	Not more difficult: 1	2	3	4	A lot more difficult: 5	6
[If they are an ex-offender (B5= 1, 2, 3, or 4)] Your experience of the criminal justice system / having a criminal record	Not more difficult: 1	2	3	4	A lot more difficult: 5	6

F: Mental and physical health

Ask all:

F1

We would now like to ask some questions about your health. This is to understand more about your circumstances and any difficulties you might have.  Firstly, on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is very bad and 5 is very good, how would you rate your health?

Single code. DNRO.

Very bad	Empty cell	Empty cell	Empty cell	Very good	Don’t know
1	2	3	4	5	6

Ask all:

F2

[If experienced substance dependency (B11=1 OR B12=1): Excluding any dependency on drugs or alcohol, do you have any other] [if not substance dependency (B11 =/=1 & B12 =/=1): Do you have any] physical or mental health conditions, disabilities, or illnesses lasting or expected to last for 6 months or more?

Single code. DNRO.

Response	Code	Action
Yes	1	Empty cell
No	2	Empty cell
Don’t know	3	Empty cell
Prefer not to say	4	Empty cell

Ask all:

F3

Do any of your conditions or illnesses reduce your ability to carry-out day-to-day activities?

Single code. Read out.

Response	Code	Action
No	1	Empty cell
Yes, a little	2	Empty cell
Yes, a lot	3	Empty cell
Prefer not to say	4	Empty cell

Ask if have health condition [F2=1].

F4

Do you have any of the following illnesses, health conditions or disabilities lasting or expected to last 6 months or more?

Multi code. Randomise options. Prompt if necessary.

[If online]: Physical health

Response	Code	Action
Physical disability or injury affecting your arms, legs, neck or back	1	Empty cell
Chronic or progressive conditions, for example problems with your organs, chest or breathing, diabetes, blood pressure, cancer, skin conditions or allergies	2	Empty cell
Sensory impairment or communication problems, for example difficulty seeing, hearing, dizziness or balance problems, speech problems	3	Empty cell
Any other physical health condition or disability	4	Empty cell

[If online]: Mental health

Response	Code	Action
Depression, stress or anxiety	5	Empty cell
Schizophrenia, psychotic disorder or bipolar	6	Empty cell
Any other mental health condition	7	Empty cell

[If online]: Learning difficulty or neurodiversity

Response	Code	Action
Learning difficulties such as speech and language delay	8	Empty cell
Autistic spectrum disorder or ADHD	9	Empty cell
Any other neurodiverse condition, such as dyslexia or dyspraxia	10	Empty cell

[If online]:

Response	Code	Action
Any other health condition or disability	11	Empty cell
Prefer not to say	12	FIX. EXCLUSIVE. DNRO
Don’t know	13	FIX. EXCLUSIVE. DNRO

G: Support needs

We would also like to ask a few questions about the support that you get from those around you and from other organisations.

Ask all:

G1

Firstly, do you have someone that you can trust and can go to for help and support if you have a serious problem?

Multi code. Read out.

Response	Code	Action
Yes – a friend or friends	1	Empty cell
Yes – family members	2	Empty cell
Yes – a professional	3	Empty cell
Yes – someone else	4	Empty cell
No	5	EXCLUSIVE.
Don’t know	6	EXCLUSIVE. DNRO

Ask all:

G2

Are you currently registered with a GP?

Single code. DNRO.

Response	Code	Action
Yes	1	Empty cell
No	2	Empty cell
Don’t know	3	DNRO

Ask all:

G3

Would you be interested in receiving the following types of support to help you?

If you are already receiving support, please select ‘Not Applicable’.

Single code per row. Read out. Randomise order.

Response	Yes	No	Don’t know	Not applicable – already receiving help with this
[B11=1 or B12=1: Managing a drug or alcohol dependency]	1	2	3	4
[B8=1 or B10a=1: Finding stable housing]	1	2	3	4
[If they are an ex-offender (B5= 1, 2, 3, or 4)] Staying away from crime	1	2	3	4
[B3=1: Help with being a care leaver]	1	2	3	4
[F2=1] Managing your physical health	1	2	3	4
[F2=1] Managing your mental health	1	2	3	4

Ask all:

G4

And would you be interested in receiving any of the following types of support?

If you are already receiving support, please select ‘Not Applicable’.

Response	Yes	No	Don’t know	Not applicable – already receiving help with this
Managing money and debt	1	2	3	4
Improving your confidence	1	2	3	4
Accessing education or training	1	2	3	4
Work experience or volunteering opportunities	1	2	3	4
Searching for jobs	1	2	3	4
Writing a CV or Job application	1	2	3	4
[C2=1 TO 3] Increasing your earnings	1	2	3	4
Improving your digital skills	1	2	3	4

H: Experience of Jobcentre Plus

Ask all:

We’d now like to ask you some questions about your experiences of dealing with DWP and Jobcentre Plus.

H1

Overall, how easy or difficult do you find it to manage your benefit claim using your Universal Credit online account?

Single code. Read out.

Response	Code
I do not have an online account	5
Very easy	1
Fairly easy	2
Fairly difficult	3
Very difficult	4
Don’t know	6

H2

Question removed during development

Ask all:

H3

In the past 6 months have you had any problems with your benefit claim that you needed to contact DWP about?

Single code. DNRO.

Response	Code
Yes	1
No	2
Don’t know	3

H4

Question removed during development

Ask all:

H5

We would now like to think about the support that you may receive from a Work Coach. Over the last 6 months, how often, if at all, did you speak with a Work Coach? This could be in person, over the phone, or online via the UC journal.

Single code. Read out.

Response	Code	Action
I do not have a Work Coach	1	Empty cell
About once a week or more	3	Empty cell
About once a fortnight	5	Empty cell
About monthly	6	Empty cell
Less than monthly	7	Empty cell
Never	2	Empty cell
Don’t know	8	DNRO
Prefer not to say	9	DNRO

Ask if they have a work coach or don’t know if they have met them in the last 6 months (H5=2-8).

H6

Thinking about your relationship with your Work Coach, on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is “strongly disagree” and 5 is “strongly agree”, how much do you agree or disagree that…

Single code per row. Do not read out. Randomise order.

Response	Score	Score	Score	Score	Score	Score	Action
2 I speak with the same Work Coach every time I have an appointment	Strongly disagree: 1	2	3	4	5	7	Strongly agree: 6
3 I feel comfortable discussing my circumstances with my Work Coach	Strongly disagree: 1	2	3	4	5	7	Strongly agree: 6
4 My Work Coach understands my needs	Strongly disagree: 1	2	3	4	5	7	Strongly agree: 6

Ask if they have a work coach and have spoken to them in the last 6 months (H5=3-7) and named a difficulty at E2 (E2=1-13)

H7

You previously mentioned that over the last 6 months, certain factors have made it difficult for you to [if not in work (C2 =/= 1-3) get a job] [if not in work (C2=1-3) stay in your job]. Have you received support from your work coach with any of the following?

Multicode. Randomise. Read out.

Response	Score	Action
[IF E2=1] Help with accessing training to gain skills or qualifications	1	Empty cell
[IF E2=2] Finding jobs that are available where you live or that you can travel to	2	Empty cell
[IF E2=3] Gaining work experience through a placement or voluntary work	3	Empty cell
[IF E2=4] Help with applying for jobs	4	Empty cell
[IF E2=5] Help or advice in finding childcare	5	Empty cell
[IF E2=6] Help or advice relating to your caring responsibilities	6	Empty cell
[IF E2=7] Help or advice with your citizenship or visa issues	7	Empty cell
[IF E2=8] Advice or support regarding your physical or mental health conditions or disabilities and the types of jobs you could do	8	Empty cell
[IF E2=9] Advice or support regarding your learning difficulty or neurodiverse condition	9	Empty cell
[IF E2=10] Finding jobs suitable for your age	10	Empty cell
IF E2=13] Help with communicating your background circumstances to employers and making a good impression	13	Empty cell
None of these	16	EXCLUSIVE. FIX. DNRO
Prefer not to say	17	EXCLUSIVE. FIX. DNRO

Ask all who have a work coach and have spoken to them in the last 6 months (H5=3-7)

H7A

And in the last 6 months, have you received the following type(s) of support from your work coach?

Multicode. Read out.

Response	Code	Action
[IF B9=1-6] Help or referrals to support in relation to your experience of being homeless	1	Empty cell
[IF B1=1-5] Help or referrals to support in relation to your childhood experience of being in care / receiving support from social services	2	Empty cell
[IF B11=1 OR B12=1] Help or referrals to support in relation to your experience of substance dependency (alcohol or drugs)	3	Empty cell
[IF B5=1-4] Help or referrals to support in relation to your experience of the criminal justice system / having a criminal record	4	Empty cell
None of these	5	Empty cell
Don’t know / can’t remember	6	Empty cell

Ask all who have a work coach or don’t know if they have met them in the last 6 months (H5=2-8)

H8

And overall, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the support you have received from your work coach?

Single code. Read out.

Response	Code
Very satisfied	1
Fairly satisfied	2
Fairly dissatisfied	3
Very dissatisfied	4
Don’t know	5

H9

Question removed during development

If a verified care leaver [SAMVAR_CARELEAVER_OFFICIAL=1)

H10

Are you aware of the support DWP offers to care leavers?  For example, under 25s are able to claim the higher one-bedroom LHA rate, under 21s can claim Universal Credit while in full-time secondary education, and care leavers have priority access to the DWP Youth Offer?

Single code. DNRO

Response	Code
Yes	1
No	2
Don’t know	3

I: Accessibility

Ask all:

We have a few questions now about things which might make it easy or difficult for you to access services.

I1

Question removed during development.

Ask all:

I2

Do you have access to the internet in any of the following ways?

Read out. Multi code.

Response	Code	Action
Yes – through a personal device that I own (for example a mobile phone or computer)	1	Empty cell
Yes – in some other way (for example using a public computer, or through friends or family)	2	Empty cell
No	3	EXCLUSIVE
Not sure	4	EXCLUSIVE. DNRO
Prefer not to say	5	EXCLUSIVE. DNRO

I3

Question removed during development

Ask all:

IA

How confident, if at all, do you feel in your ability to use the internet?

Single code. Read out.

Response	Code	Action
Very confident	1	Empty cell
Fairly confident	2	Empty cell
Not that confident	3	Empty cell
Not at all confident	4	Empty cell
Not sure	5	Empty cell
Prefer not to say	6	Empty cell

J: Demographics

We just want to ask a few final questions to help us understand a bit more about you

J1

Question removed during development.

Ask all:

J2

Since you were 16, have you experienced any of the following? We appreciate that some of these may not be relevant to you but we just need to ensure that we cover each possible experience fully with everybody we speak to.

Multi code. Randomise. Read out.

Response	Code	Action
Being part of the Afghan or Ukrainian resettlement schemes	1	Empty cell
Being a refugee	2	Empty cell
Serving in the British armed forces	3	Empty cell
Domestic abuse: a partner or ex-partner, or a member of your family you were living with at the time, ever used controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour; violence; or abuse	4	Empty cell
Financial abuse or exploitation from a non-family member	5	Empty cell
Modern Slavery or human trafficking	6	Empty cell
None of these	7	FIX. EXCLUSIVE. DNRO
Don’t know	8	FIX. EXCLUSIVE. DNRO
Prefer not to say	9	FIX. EXCLUSIVE. DNRO

Ask all:

J3

How would you describe your ethnicity?

Single code. Prompt if necessary.

Ethnicity	Code	Category
English / Welsh / Scottish / Northern Irish / British	1	White
Irish	2	White
Gypsy or Irish Traveller	3	White
Any other White background (please specify)	4	White
White and Black Caribbean	5	Mixed or multiple ethnic groups
White and Black African	6	Mixed or multiple ethnic groups
White and Asian	7	Mixed or multiple ethnic groups
Any other Mixed / Multiple ethnic background (please specify)	8	Mixed or multiple ethnic groups
African	9	Black or African or Caribbean or Black British
Caribbean	10	Black or African or Caribbean or Black British
Any other Black / African / Caribbean background (please specify)	11	Black or African or Caribbean or Black British
Indian	12	Asian or Asian British
Pakistani	13	Asian or Asian British
Bangladeshi	14	Asian or Asian British
Chinese	15	Asian or Asian British
Any other Asian background (please specify)	16	Asian or Asian British
Arab	17	Other ethnic group
Any other ethnic group (please specify)	18	Other ethnic group
Prefer not to say	19	Not applicable

Ask all:

J3b

Which of the following reflects the highest qualification that you have attained?

Single code. Read out.

Response	Code	Action
No qualifications	1	Empty cell
Fewer than 5 GCSEs at grade A*-C/9-4, NVQ Level 1 or equivalent.	2	Empty cell
5 or more GCSEs of grade A*-C/9-4 or equivalent, NVQ Level 2 or equivalent, intermediate apprenticeship	3	Empty cell
A/T-Levels or equivalent, NVQ Level 3 or equivalent, advanced apprenticeship	4	Empty cell
Undergraduate degree, Masters or PhD; certificate of higher education, postgraduate certificate, NVQ Level 4+ or equivalent; higher or degree apprenticeship	5	Empty cell
Other qualifications (including qualifications gained outside the UK) [PLEASE SPECIFY]	6	Empty cell
Don’t know	7	EXCLUSIVE. DNRO
Prefer not to say	8	EXCLUSIVE. DNRO

Many thanks once again for your responses to this survey. I would like to reassure you that the answers you have given here today will not affect any current or future support you may receive from the DWP. Information you shared with us will be anonymised.

Thank respondent and close interview.

Finally I would just like to confirm that this survey has been carried out under IFF instructions and within the rules of the MRS Code of Conduct. Thank you very much for your help today.

1. A UC claimant whose self-reported care leaver status has been verified by DWP and was aged 16-30 at the time of making their claim. ↩

2. A UC claimant whose self-reported care leaver status has not been verified by DWP, or was aged over 30 at the time of making their claim. ↩