Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what training and guidance her Department provides to Jobcentre Plus Work Coaches and other staff in her Department on (a) the specific vulnerabilities of women at risk of, or experiencing, sexual exploitation and (b) specialist services that staff may refer to that support women to exit prostitution.

DWP is committed to providing the best possible support for all our claimants, including the most vulnerable in society. We are continuously reviewing and improving the service for vulnerable people to ensure that it is accessible and responsive to their needs.

Specific training and guidance is provided for all staff on working with different vulnerable groups. This includes developing the skills they need to support and communicate with a diverse range of customers.

All DWP staff have access to the ‘Safeguarding Vulnerable People’ guidance, which highlights the importance of having arrangements in place which assist in the protection of vulnerable adults and children from physical abuse, sexual abuse and exploitation.

To assist with identification and claimant support, each Jobcentre Plus site has a complex needs toolkit in place and these are maintained and reviewed locally.

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 most vulnerable, at risk, claimants to access the support they need.

We have also been closely engaging with key stakeholders on a range of topics and we will continue to work closely with them on improving our services, policies and support for victims of abuse.