Source · Select Committees · Work and Pensions Committee
Recommendation 40
40
Rejected
Introduce an independent body to investigate serious harms in DWP case mishandlings
Recommendation
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 are mishandled. DWP must ensure that it consults with relevant stakeholders, including Disabled Peoples Organisations, when setting up this body. (Recommendation, Paragraph 162) 102
Government Response Summary
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 Panel chaired by a Non-Executive Director, as providing oversight.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
The Department will consider how it continues to build transparency by talking to other organisations about how they do this. The Government welcomes this recommendation and has already appointed an independent member to the Clinical Governance and Excellence Board to ensure best practice is followed. In addition, DWP’s Serious Case Panel is chaired by a Non-Executive Director to provide oversight of learning from themes of Serious Cases at a departmental level.