Source · Select Committees · Work and Pensions Committee
Recommendation 8
8
Deferred
Set out detailed plans for building safeguarding and health impact assessment into new services.
Recommendation
DWP should set out more detail about how it will build a systems-based approach to safeguarding into the new jobs and careers service, including its conditionality and sanctions policy. We previously recommended that the Chief Medical Advisor assess the potential health impact on claimants of all policy changes, and we expect such an assessment to take place before any changes to Jobcentres and work coach support. (Recommendation, Paragraph 43) Empowering work coaches
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the need for a systems-based safeguarding approach and health impact assessments, but defers providing further detail pending consultation findings, the conclusion of a departmental safeguarding review, and the development of a wider safeguarding approach.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
Accept The government has recently completed the consultation on the Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper, which included a question on the future of DWP’s safeguarding approach, among a wider set of reforms. Further detail on this work will be provided in due course, following the consideration of the consultation findings and on conclusion of the department’s current safeguarding review, setting out DWP’s new approach to safeguarding. The government recognises the value of assessing the potential health impacts on customers of all policy changes being undertaken jointly, with the Chief Medical Advisor working alongside policy officials to determine the relevance and appropriateness of input. Work is underway to ensure safeguarding is considered in both policy development and operational change processes. This forms part of a wider departmental safeguarding approach currently in development, with further updates to follow in due course.