There has been a growing recognition in recent years that individualised, tailored approaches are most likely to lead to successful, sustainable transitions into employment, particularly for more vulnerable jobseekers. Through a process of profiling and individualised action-planning, PES can take into account the particular needs of specific jobseekers, identify the precise barriers to entering the labour market and develop individualised actions and follow-up. Core elements of individualised services include: trained staff and adequate counsellor/jobseeker ratios to allow for effective action planning and regular monitoring; profiling and in-depth assessment of individual strengths and weaknesses; engaging jobseekers with empowerment-based approaches and drawing on methods of critical reflection and learning; a mutual obligations approach.