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The Jobcentre Plus Offer

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The Jobcentre Plus Offer Jon Bygrave Partnership Manager Department for Work and Pensions Birmingham and Solihull 1 Jobcentre Plus Until 2011 Jobcentre Plus was an executive agency of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Since 2012 it has only existed as a ‘brand’ of DWP and this is really, therefore ‘the DWP Offer’. Jobcentre staff are part of DWP’s Work Services Directorate There has been a gradual move away from claimants being defined by the benefit they receive and receiving support based on their benefit, and towards the Universal Credit model where the financial support is designed to support everyone into work and then to continue to support them until this help is no longer needed – “ABC – a job, a better job, a career” For anyone who hasn’t been into a jobcentre ever or for a long time, they look different – in keeping with the changes in the service being delivered 2 Jobcentre Plus The Jobcentre Plus offer is a package of personalised advice and support available from Jobcentre Plus. It supports the Government’s strategy for economic growth and reduction in poverty by supporting people to find ad retain employment by maximising off-flows into work Depending on individual circumstances claimants may be mandated to the Work Programme or may choose to participate. Once on the Work Programme claimants are not able to access support from the Jobcentre Plus Offer. In March/April 2017 the Work Programme contracts end and will be replaced by the Work and Health Programme 3 Jobcentre Plus The Offer: • Core Mandatory Interventions – which must be undertaken by JSA and ESA customers, Lone Parents on Income Support, Partners of customers on income- related benefits and Carers on Income Support • Flexible Interventions – the adviser will determine the frequency, duration and content by assessing the support the customer needs through a diagnostic interview • Access to a flexible menu of Back to Work Support • Access to the Flexible Support Fund and Support Contract provision 4 Jobcentre Plus ‘Flexible’ referred to in 3 of the 4 elements of the Offer How does this translate into addressing the mental wellbeing of our customers? Jobcentre Plus advisers are not medical experts and cannot advise on medical conditions or treatment. Their role is to appreciate how a person’s health condition my impact in their ability to undertake activity that would help them move closer to the labour market or move into and remain in work. This applies regardless of the benefit being claimed Advisers should tailor support accordingly, providing individuals with basic health and well-being information and making them aware of any support (including ‘provision’ if appropriate) that may help improve their well-being or manage their health condition. 5 Jobcentre Plus ‘Flexible’ – some examples (1): Adviser support – we try to ensure the same adviser works with each customer throughout the journey back to work. At least one adviser in each Jobcentre is a DEA with specialised knowledge of helping people with disabilities back into work Work Experience – sometimes this is just about bringing back some self-confidence, sometimes it’s about gathering something to put on a CV to demonstrate capability, sometimes it’s about finding out about a particular kind of work Sector-based work academies (sbwa) – for people close to the labour market offering sector-specific pre-employment training, a work experience placement and a guaranteed job or apprenticeship interview 6 Jobcentre Plus ‘Flexible’ – Some examples (2): Contracted and Non-contracted Provision – each DWP District Manager has a budget he or she can use to buy in specialised support (ESOL, targeted support for specific vulnerable groups, etc), but he or she will also have a Partnerships team New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) – help with getting into self-employment Flexible Support Fund (FSF) – small sums advisers can use to help claimants enter or remain in work where there are no other options Access to Work grant - helps pay for practical support if you have a disability, health or mental health condition to help you start working, stay in work or start a business or self -employment 7 Jobcentre Plus Although the WCA is carried out by Maximus, decisions on benefit entitlement are made by DWP Decision Makers (DMs) who take account of evidence from the WCA and any other information received from the claimant regarding their capability The WCA assesses an individual’s physical, mental, cognitive and intellectual functions alongside a small number of additional criteria that do not directly measure function – such as terminal illness The WCA focuses on what someone can do despite their health condition or disability – rather than just on what they cannot do – on the principle that work can be good for individuals and may even promote recovery and that being out of work can lead to poorer health, as well as other negative outcomes 8 Jobcentre Plus .
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