11 February 2004 - Cutting edge reforms to help incapacity claimants launched “Early successes celebrated as staff in pilot areas share best practice”
An innovative package of support which has already helped hundreds of people to get off incapacity benefits into work is officially launched today.
Work and Pensions Secretary Andrew Smith and Health Minister Rosie Winterton will speak to staff and employers about the “Pathways to Work” reforms.
Andrew Smith said: “There are 2.7 million people claiming incapacity benefits but nine out of ten people who go on to these benefits expect to get back to work again.
“This radical new approach to helping people get jobs rather than stay on incapacity benefit offers a better future to people who have in the past been neglected, or worse, written off. Combining advice, support, rehabilitation and extra money for those who move into jobs can make a real difference.
These Pathways to Work projects are leading the way in reshaping the whole approach to incapacity benefit in the future. They are a great example of joined-up Government and partnership with business and the voluntary sector at a local level.
“Employers support our initiative – it is also good news for them if people with key skills and experience are brought back into the jobs market at a time when unemployment is low and vacancies high.
“It is early days but we have already seen some great individual success stories, people who had almost given up hope of working again. For example, Jane from Wales who recently started work again after having claimed incapacity benefits since 1978. These early results are promising but we must work hard together to achieve more over the coming months.”
The event will also be a practical working meeting for staff and stakeholders to share experiences, challenges and early successes.
The comprehensive “back to work” help for people with moderate health conditions and disabled people includes:
- Making work pay with a new Return to Work Credit of £40 a week payable for a year for those earning up to £15,000;
- New condition management (rehabilitation) services provided jointly by the NHS and Jobcentre Plus to manage the conditions that most often stop people working;
- Early support from skilled personal advisers and follow-up help when in work.
The support is being piloted in seven areas and if successful may be rolled out nationally. While aimed primarily at new claimants, the extra support is also available to those already on Incapacity Benefit.
Mr Smith, who is speaking at the event, added: “The full range of support, which includes NHS condition management, is only starting this month but already the results from the first three Pathways to Work pilots have been encouraging.
“The UK is at the cutting edge – across Europe other countries are grappling with the issue of helping people on incapacity benefits get back into work.”
Minister of State for Health Rosie Winterton said: “Through the Condition Management Programmes (CMPs), the NHS is providing the health-focused interventions of the Incapacity Benefit Reform programme. These CMPs are voluntary packages which help people manage their symptoms, improve confidence and allow them to return to work.”
The Pathways to Work launch event is being held at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in Gloucester Road, London, on February 11 and 12.
Around 250 people including Jobcentre Plus chief executive David Anderson will be attending the event, mainly frontline staff working in the reform pilot areas such as personal advisers and NHS condition management case workers.
The event will enable staff in pilots which started in Bridgend, Derbyshire and Renfrewshire in October to meet and exchange best practice with those about to work in the pilots starting in East Lancashire, Essex, Gateshead and South Tyneside and Somerset in April.
Notes for editors
- The consultation document Pathways to Work can be found on: www.dwp.gov.uk
- All new Incapacity Benefit customers in the pilot areas will attend a series of work-focused interviews with a specially trained IB personal adviser starting eights weeks after their claim begins.
- Support in the pilot areas will include new Condition Management Programmes for IB claimants provided jointly by Jobcentre Plus with the NHS.
- Financial incentives will include immediate access to a discretionary fund of up to £300 to help find a job.
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