The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced a major expansion
Tens of thousands more people claiming sickness and disability benefits are set to receive tailored one-to-one support, following a significant expansion of a Government initiative designed to help more people move closer to employment.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that its “Support Conversations” programme is being extended to a further 27 Jobcentres across Britain, bringing the total number of participating sites to 33. The expansion means that up to 40,000 people claiming health-related benefits could be offered a voluntary, hour-long appointment aimed at identifying the obstacles standing in the way of them working or engaging in activities such as volunteering.
The scheme forms part of Labour’s broader welfare-to-work agenda and complements a £3.5 billion package of employment support measures intended to assist more disabled people and those with long-term health conditions into the workplace.
Unlike routine Jobcentre appointments, the sessions are designed to take a more holistic view of claimants’ circumstances, addressing issues including debt, housing difficulties, skills shortages, health concerns and addiction support.
The DWP states that the conversations are available face-to-face, by telephone or via video call, and are conducted by healthcare professionals, disability employment advisers and specialist Pathways to Work advisers. The initiative targets people awaiting a Work Capability Assessment, along with those already deemed to have Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) – a group regarded as being furthest from the jobs market.
Employment Minister 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 six 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.”
The rollout follows trials conducted across six pilot locations, where the DWP reports that participants felt more ‘listened to’ and ‘supported’. The latest development builds upon the introduction of 1,000 Pathways to Work advisers, who ministers claim have already assisted more than 65,000 disabled and sick people in moving closer towards employment.
The Government faces mounting pressure to address Britain’s rapidly rising sickness benefit expenditure, with millions of working-age adults now economically inactive owing to ill health.
The Support Conversations programme forms just one component of a broader package of reforms unveiled through the Government’s Pathways to Work strategy.
Additional support being introduced by the DWP includes:
- Connect to Work – a personalised employment programme aimed at helping 300,000 people secure jobs by the end of this Parliament.
- WorkWell – a £259 million initiative created to support up to 250,000 people with health conditions to stay in or get back into work.
- Right to Try – enabling sick and disabled people to try working without facing immediate benefit reassessment.
- 1,000 Pathways to Work advisers – specialist advisers already stationed in Jobcentres nationwide.
Which Jobcentres are taking part?
The DWP has confirmed the following 27 locations as part of the latest expansion:
- 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.
- Wester Hailes.
- Whitehaven.
- Workington.
The DWP said a further six Jobcentre locations will be revealed shortly.
Support Conversations are completely voluntary and presently accessible only to claimants with health conditions or disabilities who are either waiting for a Work Capability Assessment or have already been assessed as having Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity.
