Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the policy paper Transforming Support: The Health and Disability White Paper, published 16 March 2023, what steps he plans to take to train and support (a) work coaches and (b) disability employment advisors to improve support for disabled jobseekers.

Learning for Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisors already includes health and disability, we are currently working with Policy to impact and iterate learning journeys to align with Policy intent.

DWP Work Coaches receive comprehensive learning to support customers with additional or complex needs, which continues at point of need throughout their role. The learning provides Work Coaches with the knowledge and skills to enable them to support claimants moving towards employment.

Learning enables the Work Coach to determine what is required and to tailor the support and advice they offer. They complete scenario-based discussions and skills practice to cultivate effective communication skills, including the sensitive use of questions, to reach joint decisions.

Within DWP, the Disability Employment Advisor (DEA) role is expected to have completed the Work Coach Learning Journey prior to commencing specific learning for the DEA role, which provides them with further skills to support specific needs, enabling claimants to progress towards employment and making opportunities more accessible.