Disabled Jobseekers Support at Jobcentres 2023-04-24
2023-04-24
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The issue of disabled jobseekers not having sufficient access to the necessary support and equipment at jobcentres is being raised.
What steps he is taking to help ensure disabled jobseekers can access specialist support at jobcentres?
Disability employment advisers have expertise on how to help disabled jobseekers into work and build work coach skills to help these claimants. That is in addition to broader support, including our increased work coach support, the Work and Health programme and intensive, personalised employment support.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify any new or additional steps beyond existing programmes.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Research by Sense indicates that disabled jobseekers lack the necessary support and equipment at jobcentres, leading to difficulties in finding and applying for work.
Will they commit today to a jobcentre assistive technology fund to support disabled people to look for work?
I categorically reject the initial point made in the hon. Lady's question. The fact is that this Government set a target of getting 1 million more disabled people into work and we met it five years early, but now we must go further. That is precisely why we have brought forward the reforms in the White Paper, which we genuinely believe will remove that structural barrier to work.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to establishing a jobcentre assistive technology fund as requested.
Categorically Reject
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Disabled individuals face issues where assessments identify necessary support or adaptations, but such resources are not available when needed.
Is there some source of optimism to be found in the funds and the changes announced in the spring Budget that support will be lined up in advance?
It is really welcome that the whole of Government are focused on what more we can do to support disabled people and people with health conditions into work, if that is appropriate for them. That was reflected in the commitments that the Chancellor made on the Work Well programme and on universal support.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific optimism regarding the availability of support or address recent budget changes.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Maximus, a private company used by the DWP to assess benefit eligibility, makes potentially life-changing decisions affecting many constituents.
What training and qualification requirements are there for Maximus assessors making these potentially life-changing decisions?
Continual quality assurance processes are in place that monitor and keep tabs on the quality of the decisions made by any of the assessment providers that work with the Department. Of course, we always keep that under constant review.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific training or qualification details for Maximus assessors.
Response accuracy