Job Centres: Training

(asked on 6th January 2023) - View Source

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether work coaches receive training on (a) potential barriers to employment for disabled people and (b) how to support disabled jobseekers who may be experiencing such barriers; and if he will make a statement.


Answered by
Guy Opperman Portrait
Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
This question was answered on 11th January 2023

Work Coach Learning equips staff with tools, knowledge, coaching skills and behaviours through a mix of topics, to enable them to support all individuals moving closer to the working environment; this is prevalent when supporting people with disabilities and overcoming barriers.

For example, within the Topic ‘Claimant Commitment’, learning includes how we consider the impact of the claimants’ condition and their ability to work and the need to consider what work search activities they are capable of now and in the future, their barriers, any transferrable skills, and any support they are receiving or require.

Work Coaches also explore any previous work activity and discuss any local provision that can help with these needs.

In addition, the topics:

  • ‘Complex Needs’ includes supporting claimants with a disability
  • ‘Assisted Digital’ includes learning to support people whose circumstances make it difficult for them to use online government services, and
  • ‘Access to Work’ provides individual practical support and advice to help overcome barriers at work. It helps people with all types of disabilities, including mental health conditions and a condition does not have to be diagnosed.

In addition there are over 500 Disability Employment advisors in job centres up and down the country.

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