This document summarizes a research project exploring the role of the third sector in employment services in the UK. It finds that contracting out employment services has evolved over three waves of policy development since the 2000s. While third sector involvement was intended to be significant under the new Work Programme model launched in 2011, some issues have been raised about a potential "squeeze" of the third sector due to pricing pressures. The proposed research aims to understand the experiences of third sector providers under the Work Programme, whether their approach differs from other providers, and stakeholders' views on the value of third sector involvement in employment services. Qualitative research methods like interviews and case studies of employment service providers are outlined.