40,000 benefit claimants to get ‘expanded access’ in DWP update | Personal Finance | Finance
Up to 40,000 people claiming out-of-work benefits are set to experience a significant shift at their Jobcentres as the Government introduces Support Conversations. The hour-long sessions aim to help people tackle barriers preventing them from moving into meaningful work or activities such as volunteering.
The additional support is designed to identify any assistance the benefit claimants might be entitled to, including help with their health, debt, skills, employment, rehabilitation services and housing. This forms part of the Government’s £3.5 billion investment to support disabled people into employment.
Officials say Support Conversations will differ from standard Jobcentre appointments by taking a holistic view of the claimants’ lives, examining a variety of factors rather than solely focusing on their employment status. The sessions will be delivered by Healthcare Professionals, Pathways to Work Advisers, and Disability Employment Advisers.
Fresh Government guidance has confirmed that Support Conversations will be entirely voluntary. The scheme is intended to offer one-to-one support for disabled people and those with health conditions who are receiving these benefits.
It will be made available to people awaiting a Work Capability Assessment who have registered a health condition or disability impacting their ability to work. People who have been assessed as having a Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) will also be offered Support Conversations.
Minister for Employment Dame Diana Johnson said: “Too many disabled people and people with health conditions face barriers that stop them from accessing the support and opportunities they deserve.
“That is why we are expanding the number of sites delivering Support Conversations from 6 to 33 Jobcentres across Great Britain, giving up to 40,000 people personalised help tailored to their circumstances.
“Getting more people into good work is central to our Plan for Change and Support Conversations will help us do exactly this.”
Support Conversations were initially trialled across six locations, where participants reported feeling “listened to” and “supported” by the initiative. The scheme will now be extended to a further 27 Jobcentres, bringing the total number of sites offering the support to 33.
- Aberdare
- Berwick Upon Tweed
- Blaydon
- Bournemouth
- Didsbury
- Glenrothes
- Grimsby
- Hoxton
- Lancaster
- Leeds Park Place
- Leicester Charles Street
- Leicester Wellington Street
- North Shields
- Northwich
- Preston
- Rusholme
- Saltcoats
- Shettleston
- South Shields
- Southend
- Sparkhill
- Springburn
- Sunderland
- Thornaby
- WesterHailes
- Whitehaven
- Workington
As part of the roll-out, the government will continue to assess the effectiveness of Support Conversations through healthcare professionals and disability employment advisors.
