Recommendations & Conclusions
4 items
29
Recommendation
1st Report – Safeguarding Vulnerable Cl…
Rejected
We recommend DWP work to improve awareness of the work that Advanced Customer Support Senior Leaders undertake, including by setting out a full description of their role when publishing their new approach to safeguarding, and by promoting case studies. As part of its review into safeguarding, the Department should also …
Government response. The government states current ACSSL resourcing is appropriate and additional roles were introduced, effectively rejecting the need to assess capacity or expand the number of ACSSLs. They commit to exploring ways to increase ACSSL visibility in future publications, but do …
Department for Work and Pensions
30
Recommendation
1st Report – Safeguarding Vulnerable Cl…
Rejected
The Department should also develop a more systematic route through which benefit advisers can contact ACSSLs directly, when and if they have a serious concern about a claimant. DWP should consider creating an external equivalent of the internal system it uses to allow DWP colleagues to refer cases for ACSSL …
Government response. The government rejected the recommendation for a new systematic route for benefit advisers to contact ACSSLs directly, stating that existing channels are sufficient and ACSSLs are not intended to replace frontline services. They highlighted existing ACSSL external relationships and rising …
Department for Work and Pensions
34
Recommendation
1st Report – Safeguarding Vulnerable Cl…
Rejected
We agree with the PHSO that the MP filter should be removed, and that the PHSO should be granted the power of initiative so that it can investigate known and systemic issues, more effectively support public services and extend access to justice to those least likely to complain, without a …
Government response. The DWP rejected the recommendation, stating it lacks the authority to remove the MP filter or grant the PHSO new powers, as these changes require primary legislation from Parliament. They also noted no clear evidence that removing the filter would …
Department for Work and Pensions
40
Recommendation
1st Report – Safeguarding Vulnerable Cl…
Rejected
However, even if the Department improves transparency, we are still concerned that the process in DWP amount to it marking its own homework. Therefore, in the longer term, we recommend DWP introduce an independent body to investigate serious harms, to improve scrutiny and ensure appropriate action is taken when cases …
Government response. The government welcomes the recommendation but does not commit to introducing a new independent body to investigate serious harms. Instead, it highlights existing measures, such as an independent member on the Clinical Governance and Excellence Board and a Serious Case …
Department for Work and Pensions