Policymakers in liberal welfare states like the UK have prioritised extending the reach of compulsory activation to target vulnerable jobseeker groups, such as lone parents. However, such interventions – especially when combined with intensified welfare conditionality – appear to have had limited positive effects on lone parents’ employability, while often negatively impacting wellbeing. This article argues that the problem is a disconnect between the complex barriers to employability faced by lone parents (including their need to balance work and caring) and the content of ‘work-first’ activation favoured by successive UK Governments. We report positive findings from in-depth interviews with lone parents and key stakeholders involved in more person-centred, non-compulsory local employability services. Multi-agency service delivery, collaborative governance and a clear role for user voice in programme design were important facilitators of positive experiences. Our analysis points to the need for services that empower lone parents to make choices to progress towards employment while supporting family life.

英国等自由福利国家的政策制定者优先将强制激活的范围扩大到针对弱势求职者群体，例如单亲父母。然而，此类干预措施——尤其是与强化的福利条件相结合时——似乎对单亲父母的就业能力的积极影响有限，而往往对幸福感产生负面影响。本文认为，问题在于单亲父母面临的复杂就业障碍（包括他们平衡工作和照顾的需要）与历届英国政府所青睐的“工作第一”激活内容之间的脱节。我们报告了对单亲父母和参与更多以人为本、非强制性本地就业能力服务的主要利益相关者的深入访谈的积极发现。多机构服务交付，协作治理和用户声音在程序设计中的明确作用是积极体验的重要促进因素。我们的分析指出，需要提供一些服务，让单亲父母能够在支持家庭生活的同时，做出选择以求就业。