The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced the expansion of its Support Conversations programme, offering up to 40,000 sick and disabled benefit claimants personalised one-to-one support. The voluntary scheme, which provides hour-long sessions covering employment, health, debt, and housing, will now be available at 33 Jobcentres across Great Britain, up from six.
Expansion Details
The DWP confirmed that 27 new Jobcentres will join the programme, bringing the total to 33. Five of these are in Scotland: Glenrothes, Saltcoats, Shettleston, Springburn, and Wester Hailes. A further six sites are expected to be announced later.
The Support Conversations are designed to help claimants discuss barriers to work or meaningful activities like volunteering. Unlike standard appointments, these sessions take a broader approach, addressing issues such as housing, debt, skills, health, and access to drug and alcohol rehabilitation services.
Eligibility and Delivery
The sessions are voluntary and available to people awaiting a Work Capability Assessment (WCA) or those already assessed as having Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA). They can be held face-to-face, by telephone, or via video, and are delivered by healthcare professionals, Disability Employment Advisers (DEA), and Pathways to Work Advisers.
Employment Minister Dame Diana Johnson said: "Too many disabled people and people with health conditions face barriers that stop them from accessing the support and opportunities they deserve. That is why we are expanding the number of sites delivering Support Conversations from six to 33 Jobcentres across Great Britain, giving up to 40,000 people personalised help tailored to their circumstances."
Impact and Results
Early testing at the first six Jobcentres found participants reported feeling "listened to" and "supported." The expansion is part of the Government's £3.5 billion Pathways to Work package, which aims to help more disabled people and those with health conditions move into employment. The programme builds on the deployment of 1,000 Pathways to Work Advisers, who have already helped over 65,000 sick and disabled people move closer to work.
Neil, a Disability Employment Adviser in Bournemouth involved in the programme, said: "We all know that many people face a whole range of challenges which need to be overcome as part of their individual journey back to work and talking through those challenges with a Disability Employment Adviser is an important first step."
Complementary Service
The DWP emphasised that Support Conversations are intended to complement, not replace, existing Jobcentre services by providing additional time for claimants to discuss their individual needs and identify available support to improve their circumstances and, where appropriate, move towards employment.
