The Department has set the following aim and associated policy objectives for Steps 2 Success (NI):

Aim.

To help eligible benefit recipients to find and sustain work thereby supporting the needs of employers and the economy.

Policy Objectives.

To increase over the length of the programme, the number of participants finding and sustaining employment compared to baseline performance and in so doing, deliver best value for money for the taxpayer.

To support those most in need thereby ensuring that all participants regardless of employment barriers have the best chance to find and sustain employment.

To maximise flexibility in the programme approach so that providers are able to successfully address participants' barriers to employment.

To build a programme that is flexible to the future needs of the Economy, Clients and Employers and is able to respond to the implications of Welfare Reform.