Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether Child Maintenance Service caseworkers receive training to identify parents with poor mental health.

Within Child Maintenance Service learning there are several points where the material places emphasis on the importance of recognising potential mental health issues our customers may have and to signpost the customer to available support.

Telephony modules focus on ensuring our processes are explained well and that customers have the time to provide information regarding their circumstances. The customer charter emphasises the need to try to understand the customers circumstances and to treat fairly and with respect. Empathy is defined and expectations for its use, are made clear.

Our Domestic Abuse module focuses on recognising domestic abuse and signposting the customer when we are ready to take action. The module emphasises that our processes may cause distress and that learners must be sensitive to this.

There is an emphasis on vulnerable customer support and the Tools to Support Complex Needs together with our Six Point Plan is available to remind learners of the support they have available to signpost customers. This module also references making referrals to our Advanced Customer Support.

In addition, all CMS case workers colleagues receive Mental Health for Non-Coaching role. The overall objectives of this are to increase knowledge of mental health and behaviour, in order to work positively with customers considering their individual needs. The main subjects within this learning are:

• Mental health terminology
• The spectrum of good to poor mental health
• Early personal impact
• Building relationships
• Responding correctly to unexpected behaviour
• Dealing appropriately with unexpected behaviour
• Positive language
• Supporting customers – helping them to take practical steps
• Disclosure
• Taking care of yourself – sources of support.

There are also additional supporting products available for follow up learning on mental health. Our classroom learning is supported by a full programme of workplace support with the emphasis on customer impact.