Source · Select Committees · Work and Pensions Committee
Recommendation 13
13
Deferred
Set up a claimant lived experience reference group to shape DWP safeguarding policy.
Conclusion
To ensure that it incorporates the expertise of people with lived experience of the benefit system, DWP should set up a reference group similar to the Greater Manchester Disabled People’s Panel to help shape safeguarding policy. (Recommendation, Paragraph 51) Defining ‘vulnerability’ and identifying additional needs
Government Response Summary
The government did not commit to setting up a reference group of people with lived experience (claimants) to shape safeguarding policy. Instead, the response focused on using staff surveys, a Coaching Academy, and frontline staff feedback to inform improvements.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
The Government agrees that colleague surveys are a valuable tool for understanding staff views on capability and confidence. The Coaching Academy will aim to professionalise employment support through accredited training in areas such as safeguarding, trauma-informed practice. Alongside this, it will provide platforms to capture structured frontline feedback through systems, surveys, reflective practice, and peer learning. This feedback will inform continuous improvement in training and delivery of service, whilst offering valuable insights into safeguarding culture, workload, and the use of discretion. The Department will consider how best to use surveys, including the Annual People Survey, to support the development and assessment of the Safeguarding Approach and ensure that staff voices help shape both policy and service delivery through ongoing feedback cycles.