A number of Jobcentres will have the new service rolling out
Up to 40,000 people on out-of-work benefits are set to see a major change at their Jobcentres as the DWP rolls out Support Conversations. The hour-long sessions are meant to help people overcome barriers stopping them from moving into meaningful work or activity like volunteering.
The extra support is meant to help identify any help the benefit claimants could be eligible for including assistance with their health, debt, skills, employment, rehabilitation services and housing. This is part of the Government’s £3.5 billion investment to help disabled people into work.
Support Conversations will be different from the usual Jobcentre appointments as it will take a holistic approach to the claimants life, looking at a range of things and not just their employment. The sessions will be run by Healthcare Professionals, Pathways to Work Advisers, and Disability Employment Advisers.
New Government guidance revealed that Support Conversations will be completely voluntary. The scheme is meant to provide one-to-one support for disabled people and those with health conditions that are receiving these benefits.
It will be offered to people waiting a Work Capability Assessment that have registered a health condition or disability affecting their ability to work. People that have been assessed as having a Limited Capabilitty 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 originally tested at six sites, where customers reported feeling “listened to” and “supported” by the initiative. Now, the scheme will be rolled out at 27 Jobcentres to make a total of 33 offering the support.
Confirmed sites are in:
- 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 expansion, the government says it will continue to test the success of Support Conversations through healthcare professionals and disability employment advisors.
