Asked by: Vicky Foxcroft (Labour - Lewisham, Deptford)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Youth Hubs have a staff member trained in the use of British Sign Language.
Answered by Mims Davies - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The information requested is not readily available. Youth Employability Coaches and DWP staff based at Youth Hubs do not receive additional training in the use of British Sign Language (BSL). There may be some staff in these roles who are BSL proficient, but this information is not collated centrally by the department.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is committed to making its services accessible for all its customers and our Jobcentre Plus Work Coaches are trained to consider a person’s circumstances and to tailor support to their individual needs. Customers who are deaf or hard of hearing and attending a prearranged appointment with DWP, either at a Jobcentre or a Youth Hub, are able to access different support based on how hearing loss affects their communication needs. We provide mainly portable, but also some fixed hearing loops across the network and staff have access to a language services contract to pre-book an interpreter to support face to face contact. The interpreter will be skilled in providing non-spoken language support including BSL.
Furthermore, a Disability Employment Adviser (DEA) is assigned to each Jobcentre site. Disability Employment Advisors (DEAs) work alongside Jobcentre Work Coaches and Youth Employability Coaches to support claimants, including those with hearing loss. They provide expert knowledge on how to support disabled customers and building the skills and capability of Work Coaches. DEAs can also directly support customers with health conditions and disabilities where this can benefit the customer. Every Work Coach in every Jobcentre has access to a DEA.
Following the expansion of Video Relay Service last year, whereby deaf customers are now able to make an inbound telephone call to DWP via a British Sign Language interpreter using a video connection, DWP is currently exploring how this technology can be adapted to support video remote interpreting which will enable outbound contact. This will increase the flexibility for DWP to conduct face to face and telephony based contact with deaf and hard of hearing customers.
The Employer and Partnerships role within DWP forms effective networks with a variety of local stakeholders, including organisations and charities that support customers with hearing loss. These relationships are vital to ensure that DWP is able to provide consistent and effective support to its customers.
On a national level, DWP has established a range of networks with its stakeholders to provide a voice for the customer. Stakeholder groups such as the Reasonable Adjustments Forum and the Operational Stakeholder Engagement Forum regularly meet with a cross section of organisations representing disabilities including those with hearing loss. The purpose of these forums is to ensure that DWP elicits feedback and insight into how its services are being used by those with additional communication needs and to seek continuous improvement.
Asked by: Vicky Foxcroft (Labour - Lewisham, Deptford)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many youth employability coaches are trained in the use of British Sign Language.
Answered by Mims Davies - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The information requested is not readily available. Youth Employability Coaches and DWP staff based at Youth Hubs do not receive additional training in the use of British Sign Language (BSL). There may be some staff in these roles who are BSL proficient, but this information is not collated centrally by the department.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is committed to making its services accessible for all its customers and our Jobcentre Plus Work Coaches are trained to consider a person’s circumstances and to tailor support to their individual needs. Customers who are deaf or hard of hearing and attending a prearranged appointment with DWP, either at a Jobcentre or a Youth Hub, are able to access different support based on how hearing loss affects their communication needs. We provide mainly portable, but also some fixed hearing loops across the network and staff have access to a language services contract to pre-book an interpreter to support face to face contact. The interpreter will be skilled in providing non-spoken language support including BSL.
Furthermore, a Disability Employment Adviser (DEA) is assigned to each Jobcentre site. Disability Employment Advisors (DEAs) work alongside Jobcentre Work Coaches and Youth Employability Coaches to support claimants, including those with hearing loss. They provide expert knowledge on how to support disabled customers and building the skills and capability of Work Coaches. DEAs can also directly support customers with health conditions and disabilities where this can benefit the customer. Every Work Coach in every Jobcentre has access to a DEA.
Following the expansion of Video Relay Service last year, whereby deaf customers are now able to make an inbound telephone call to DWP via a British Sign Language interpreter using a video connection, DWP is currently exploring how this technology can be adapted to support video remote interpreting which will enable outbound contact. This will increase the flexibility for DWP to conduct face to face and telephony based contact with deaf and hard of hearing customers.
The Employer and Partnerships role within DWP forms effective networks with a variety of local stakeholders, including organisations and charities that support customers with hearing loss. These relationships are vital to ensure that DWP is able to provide consistent and effective support to its customers.
On a national level, DWP has established a range of networks with its stakeholders to provide a voice for the customer. Stakeholder groups such as the Reasonable Adjustments Forum and the Operational Stakeholder Engagement Forum regularly meet with a cross section of organisations representing disabilities including those with hearing loss. The purpose of these forums is to ensure that DWP elicits feedback and insight into how its services are being used by those with additional communication needs and to seek continuous improvement.
Asked by: Jonathan Ashworth (Labour (Co-op) - Leicester South)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance his Department has provided to Jobcentre Plus work coaches on the minimum numbers of appointments they must hold with claimants.
Answered by Guy Opperman - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The frequency of interventions Work Coaches undertake with claimants is determined by the individual circumstances of the claimant, the duration of their claim, and the level of support required at that particular time. There is no target of face-to-face appointments a full-time Work Coach is expected to deliver in one day. Appointments are determined by the circumstances of each claimant and the type of meeting being conducted. Maintaining an effective Work Coach diary is a joint responsibility between a team leader and the Work Coach and is managed collaboratively through regular discussion and agreement.
Asked by: Jonathan Ashworth (Labour (Co-op) - Leicester South)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what methodology her Department uses to determine the allocation of Jobcentre Plus (a) resources and (b) staff to each local area in the UK.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
The Department continually reviews the service being offered to customers. Staff numbers, including the number of work coaches, and demand for Jobcentre services are reviewed on an ongoing basis, in line with the latest economic and Universal Credit forecasts.
Jobcentre demand and supply are modelled down to a site level, taking into account local factors such as staff attrition and estates capacity, alongside overall affordability considerations across DWP Service Delivery.
Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to allow Jobcentre Plus to use the expansion of work coach capacity to introduce specialist single parent advisers.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is committed to providing the best possible support for all our claimants. We are continuously reviewing and improving the service to ensure that it is accessible and responsive to their needs.
Our Work Coaches undergo a comprehensive learning journey designed to equip them with the tools, skills and behaviours required to provide a high quality, efficient service to all claimants including Lone Parents. They receive on-going learning in their roles and have access to guidance which is refreshed at regular intervals. The Department’s learning products emphasise the importance of treating each claimant as an individual in order to identify and meet their specific needs, whatever they may be.
Additionally, Jobcentre staff have access to a District Provision Tool which provides access to the full range of provision and support delivered by DWP, providers, local authorities and independent volunteer/charity organisations. However, if Work Coaches are unable to identify local provisions that meets the needs of the claimant, they liaise with DWP Partnership Managers, who have the flexibility to work alongside local organisations to source appropriate provision helping our claimants to access the support they need.
Asked by: Peter Gibson (Conservative - Darlington)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to provide support into employment that is appropriate to skills and language capabilities for (a) Afghans, (b) Ukranians and (c) Hong Kongers.
Answered by Mims Davies - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Jobcentre Plus Work Coaches are trained to consider a person's circumstances and to tailor support according to their individual needs. Staff complete claimant awareness training that covers a wide range of claimant circumstances and have access to information on services and support available in their local area for claimants who have complex needs, including referral to English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) if appropriate. Communications have been delivered to all sites to ensure our staff are aware of any specific support available for those individuals following events in Afghanistan, Ukraine and Hong Kong.
Asked by: Lord De Mauley (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to match Ukrainian refugees wishing to come to the UK with job opportunities matching their specific (1) skills, (2) training, and (3) experience.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
The Government’s new Ukraine Family Scheme and ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme will help thousands of Ukrainian families and individuals to enter the country. DWP is working closely with the Home Office to understand potential demand.
Under these schemes Ukrainian evacuees will have the right to work here from day one, as well as immediate access to the benefit system and our existing employment offer, including our £30 billion Plan for Jobs. Ukrainian evacuees who claim benefits like Universal Credit will have access to direct, personalised employment support from experienced Jobcentre Plus work coaches, who will help them to find and move into employment, with extra support available through DWP’s Flexible Support Fund. Translation services are available to help new arrivals with phone applications, with Work Coaches in DWP Jobcentres on hand to support people making claims online. DWP staff are also delivering additional face-to-face assistance to those who need it – including tailored support to find work and advice on benefit eligibility – and will continue to do so.
DWP’s National Employer Partnerships Team (NEPT) has received a number of approaches from employers relating to Ukrainian evacuees.
Timeframes are still being finalised and there is regular discussion with Other Government Departments. Refugee Employment Network are also linked into activity and will be involved in sharing opportunities.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to provide (1) support, and (2) protection, for the staff of P&O Ferries who were made redundant on 17 March.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) stands ready to support anyone affected by this announcement, with our Rapid Response Service (RRS) offer. This is a service designed to give support and advice to employers and their employees when faced with redundancy.
The range of support available from Jobcentre Plus and partners may include:
In addition, DWP is also working closely with the Department for Transport to implement a unique portal on the Aviation Skills Retention Platform (ASRP) for workers affected by the P&O redundancy. The portal has been designed to directly target individuals affected to provide visibility of jobs in aviation and wider transport sectors. The new portal will provide all registered companies with the opportunity to engage with P&O Ferries workers, highlighting opportunities to the group as a whole, rather than individually, and ensure workers can be approached with a range of opportunities that match their skills.
Information on other Government programmes on retraining such as Department for Educations Skills Bootcamps and Apprenticeships will also be shared with affected P&O employees.
Asked by: Luke Pollard (Labour (Co-op) - Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what additional resources she is allocating to support the efficient processing of claims for assistance for refugees relocated under the Ukrainian visa schemes.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government’s new Ukraine Family Scheme and ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme will help thousands of Ukrainian families and individuals to enter the country. DWP is working closely with the Home Office to understand potential demand.
Under these schemes Ukrainian evacuees will have the right to work here from day one, as well as immediate access to the benefit system and our existing employment offer, including our £30 billion Plan for Jobs. Ukrainian evacuees who claim benefits like Universal Credit will have access to direct, personalised employment support from experienced Jobcentre Plus work coaches, who will help them to find and move into employment, with extra support available through DWP’s Flexible Support Fund. Translation services are available to help new arrivals with phone applications, with Work Coaches in DWP Jobcentres on hand to support people making claims online. DWP staff are also delivering additional face-to-face assistance to those who need it – including tailored support to find work and advice on benefit eligibility – and will continue to do so.
DWP’s National Employer Partnerships Team (NEPT) has received a number of approaches from employers. All have been contacted and advised that we will be in touch to take details of their opportunities to share with the wider DWP.
Timeframes are still being finalised and there is regular discussion with Other Government Departments. Refugee Employment Network are also linked into activity and will be involved in sharing opportunities.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will take steps to help ensure that every job centre has a staff member trained to support Ukrainian refugees.
Answered by Mims Davies - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Jobcentre Plus Work Coaches are trained to consider a person's circumstances and to tailor support according to their individual needs. Staff complete claimant awareness training that covers a wide range of claimant circumstances, including that of refugees. In addition to this, staff also have access to information on services and support available in their local area for claimants who are vulnerable or who have complex needs. Communications have been delivered to all sites to ensure our staff are aware of the specific support available for those fleeing conflict in Ukraine and given visas to enter the UK.