Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what training his Department provides to Jobcentre Plus employees on the provision of appropriate support for disabled people.

DWP is committed to ensuring that Jobcentre Plus employees are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to provide appropriate support to disabled people.

All Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers (DEAs) undertake comprehensive learning and development to enable them to support claimants effectively which continues at point of need throughout their role and includes additional mandatory 2 day learning specifically for Mental Health.

DEAs complete full Work Coach learning, followed by additional learning designed to support their role. This learning enables DEAs to treat each claimant as an individual, understand the impact of different disabilities and health conditions, and provide tailored support to help overcome barriers to employment.

The Department continually reviews and updates the learning provided to Work Coaches and DEAs, ensuring it remains relevant and effective.