Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what training managers of her Department receive to support their employees with work-related anxiety; and what assessment she has made of the adequacy of that training.

The Department is committed to developing managers who are confident in supporting mental health and have a good understanding of DWP tools and services available.

The Department’s Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provides a 24/7 manager support line. EAP workshops are available to all managers including ‘Managing stress and stress risk assessments’ and ‘Supporting mental wellbeing at work’. Service Level Agreements are in place to ensure workshops are effective.

‘Mental Health at Work’ learning also features in the Department’s recently launched Leadership and Management Fundamental Learning Journey (FLJ) which has been designed for all colleagues. The FLJ has been piloted to ensure its effectiveness.

The Department has committed to training an additional 500 Mental Health First Aiders in 2019-20 (a total of 700) to provide acute, short-term and structured support to individuals as well as reassurance and signposting to sources of support as appropriate.