The Merlin Standard: Guide for Prime providers
Updated 20 November 2013
© Crown copyright 2013
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-merlin-standard-guide-for-dwp-providers/the-merlin-standard-a-guide-for-dwp-providers
1. What is the Merlin Standard?
The Merlin Standard is a standard of behaviour which DWP prime providers are expected to adhere to in their relationship with their subcontractors. It is designed to encourage excellence in supply chain management by prime providers. This ensures the fair treatment of subcontractors and development of healthy high performing supply chains.
The Merlin Standard is a set of four principles against which prime providers are assessed in order to achieve Merlin Standard accreditation including. These are:
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supply chain design
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commitment
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conduct
-
review
The development of the Merlin Standard responded directly to concerns raised by providers, especially those not operating as prime contractors, around potential unfair treatment within supply chains.
The Merlin Standard products are the result of collaboration between the ‘Welfare to Work’ sector, DWP and pilot assessments of Flexible New Deal (fND) Phase 1 and Work Choice prime providers during the two year project phase.
More information about the Merlin Standard and Merlin assessment guidance are available on the Merlin Standard website.
2. Merlin Standard accreditation
Detailed information about the Merlin Standard accreditation process and the Merlin assessment guidance, are available on the Merlin website which includes all Merlin publications.
3. The Merlin Standard website
The Merlin Standard website is the focal point for all Merlin Standard:
- information
- activity
- good practice
It provides a practical tool to support provider/contractor engagement.
The Merlin Standard website also provides:
- a “shop window” for new entrants to the industry and smaller organisations
- access to commercial opportunities and potential delivery partners
- an Expression of Interest tool for subcontractors and prime providers
4. The Expression of Interest (EOI) template
ERSA and other ‘Welfare to Work’ organisations have developed an electronic Expression of Interest (EOI) template which replaced the previous version on the Merlin Standard website on 2 April 2013.
The EOI template can be used by subcontractors to apply to work with prime providers. The template is fully automated and eliminates the need for organisations to complete multiple EOIs for submission to different prime providers.
It aims to incorporate all the information a prime provider could require and its search facility can be used by any ‘Welfare to Work’ provider to select its subcontractors.
The EOI template is available on the Merlin Standard website. It can be completed and securely stored online.
5. Merlin Standard Mediation Service
The DWP have a Merlin Standard mediation service to mediate on disputes between DWP providers about Merlin Standard related issues. This includes issues raised by subcontractors that have not been resolved by the prime provider’s internal dispute resolution processes.
The Merlin Standard complaint report template is available in the Mediation section of the Merlin Standard.
6. Merlin Standard Advisory Board
The Merlin Standard Advisory Board was inaugurated in July 2011. Details of Board membership, terms of reference, board minutes and other publications are available on the Merlin Standard website.
7. Merlin Standard Assessment and Accreditation Service Provider
DWP appointed emqc Ltd as the ‘Merlin Standard Assessment and Accreditation Service Provider’ in December 2011 and prime provider assessments commenced in April 2012.
8. Further information about the Merlin Standard
If you have any feedback or would like more information on the Merlin Standard, please email DWP at: