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Benefit Safeguards Guidance
Recent FOI response sets out ew entrant work coach complex needs training materials and case studies.
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Welfare Rights Officer with SWAMP Glasgow
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Stuart - 25 November 2020 11:39 AMRecent FOI response sets out ew entrant work coach complex needs training materials and case studies.
I started the previous FOI request for those materials. Sadly too busy leading into Christmas to continue wrestling info out of DWP - glad to see someone picked up where I left off.
I think there’s a fair bit more we could sink our teeth into - I still maintain that the fundamental issue with JCP/DWP staff is their lack of adequate training (both in terms of knowledge and people skills).
In the list they sent me, there are a fair few topics missing which I assume are included (or should be) in other parts of their training schedule. Anything to do with WCAs, for instance.
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Citizens Advice Bridport & District
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Va1der - 25 November 2020 11:54 AMStuart - 25 November 2020 11:39 AMRecent FOI response sets out ew entrant work coach complex needs training materials and case studies.
I started the previous FOI request for those materials. Sadly too busy leading into Christmas to continue wrestling info out of DWP - glad to see someone picked up where I left off.
I think there’s a fair bit more we could sink our teeth into - I still maintain that the fundamental issue with JCP/DWP staff is their lack of adequate training (both in terms of knowledge and people skills).
In the list they sent me, there are a fair few topics missing which I assume are included (or should be) in other parts of their training schedule. Anything to do with WCAs, for instance.
Va1der the remarkably busy Mr Z also came up with the stuff below, may be of interest.
Some potentially useful information about how DWP currently prioritise complaints: https://www.rightsnet.org.uk/forums/viewthread/9149/P90/#79923
“complaints are triaged depending on the issues raised and are initially prioritised as follows:
Potential Suicide cases
High profile cases
Vulnerable people
Outstanding claims
Payment related / severe hardship
Evictions / homelessness”
The judgment in Turner, R (On the Application Of) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2021] EWHC 465 (Admin) has been issued. I’ve included it in this thread as it covers the policy found in operational guidance (typically referred to in this thread as ‘benefit safeguarding guidance’) at 16 – 31 . And at 49 -53 covers the revisions made to the policy since the time of the events leading up to Mr. Graham’s death.
https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2021/465.html
The sanctions assurance framework spotlight shows that case conferencing checks by management have been introduced at both work coach and decision maker level: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/706938/response/1684665/attach/4/Spotlight%20on%20Sanction%20Assurance%20Framework.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1
This is highlighted in today’s briefing by David Webster, which will soon be available here: https://cpag.org.uk/policy-and-campaigns/briefing/david-webster-university-glasgow-briefings-benefit-sanctions
Some new guidance I’d posted on the policy thread but forgotten to post here : https://www.rightsnet.org.uk/forums/viewthread/9149/P120/#81779
And also this: https://www.rightsnet.org.uk/forums/viewthread/9149/P135/#82016
[ Edited: 11 May 2021 at 05:38 pm by Owen_Stevens ]A few bits of guidance. I don’t think there’s anything especially new in there
PIP guidance builds in a pause and (if needed) a case conference when considering stopping or suspending benefit for a compliance reason, listed as follows:
i. Missing evidence
ii. Failed to attend (FTA) disability/health assessment
iii. Failure to return enquiry/claim pack (FTC)
iv. Failure to notify change of address (dead letter office)
CFCD instructions (CFCD stands for counter fraud and compliance department) x2
File Attachments
- 47_Stopping_or_Suspending_Payments_PIP.pdf (File Size: 456KB - Downloads: 1645)
- CFCD_Cases_where_claim_suspension_may_not_be_appropriate.pdf (File Size: 426KB - Downloads: 2796)
- CFCD_Interventions_Instructions_Core_visits_and_safeguarding.pdf (File Size: 408KB - Downloads: 1452)
And some more…
File Attachments
- UC_Visits_-_Home_visits_overview.pdf (File Size: 432KB - Downloads: 1667)
- WA_Core_visits_referal_guide_Coronavirus_(COVID-19)_-_Cessation_of_Visits.pdf (File Size: 498KB - Downloads: 1589)
- WA_ESA_FTA_FTP_In_WFI_Core_Visits.pdf (File Size: 429KB - Downloads: 1516)
And another
File Attachments
- ESA_Stopping_payments.pdf (File Size: 315KB - Downloads: 1754)
A first for this thread - some actual legislation: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2021/1065/contents/made
Enable the payment of large amounts of arrears in instalments
On the triage process being used by DWP home visiting service
File Attachments
- DWP_Response_-_FOI_79071.pdf (File Size: 41KB - Downloads: 1252)
- visits.pdf (File Size: 22KB - Downloads: 1254)
From a response to an OSEF question:
“To identify organisations which offer support, Jobcentres use the District Provision Tool (DPT), a list of support services for Jobcentre Plus staff, local authorities and support services to signpost to. The DPT was published on Gov.UK last year: District Provision Tool - Guidance - GOV.UK (http://www.gov.uk). In addition, DWP carries out a lot of upskilling with stakeholder organisations on support available.”
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/district-provision-tool
edit: also see https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/990799/response/2349791/attach/11/Spotlight%20on%20complex%20needs.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1
[ Edited: 30 Jun 2023 at 02:12 pm by Owen_Stevens ]