Zelf aan het stuur en op maat. Werkt het en waarom wel of niet? Eindverslag Vertrouwensexperiment Apeldoorn/Epe

This fifth and final report discusses the results of the research on the outcomes or effects of the Apeldoorn/Epe Trust Experiment. In this 2-year RCT-experiment (October, 1, 2017 – December, 31, 2019) with three experimental treatments (1. self-reliance and exemption of obligations, 2. intensive mediation or tailored support and 3. a control group) a different way of supporting people in welfare has been applied. The research consists of a product and a process evaluation. The product evaluation examines the results or effects of the experiomental approach compared to the regular treatment not only on outflow to work but also on well-being, health, freedom of choice, social participation and self-reliance; the process evaluation examines the execution of the experiment by the caseworkers implementing the Participation Act. In other words, how does the process of supervision and support go?
The study shows positive results on outflow to full-time paid work, both when compared to the randomised control group and compared to the non-participating groep of social assistance beneficiaries. But with the other outcome measures, a different picture came out of the regression analyses; some of our expectations on the non-work related outcome measures are confirmed but others refuted. However, there is also good news to report. The positive treatment effects on self-reliance and poverty are not insignificant from a policy perspective. Also, the scores that caseworkers give to the participants on the participation ladder show a significant increase for the majority of participants. As a result, the distance to the labour market has narrowed and social participation has increased, which was an important objective of the experiment.