The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced a major expansion of its Support Conversations programme, extending it to 27 more Jobcentres across Britain. This brings the total number of participating sites to 33, offering up to 40,000 people claiming health-related benefits a voluntary hour-long appointment to identify obstacles to work or activities like volunteering.
Voluntary Holistic Support
Unlike typical Jobcentre appointments, Support Conversations take a holistic view of claimants' lives, addressing issues such as debt, housing, skills, health concerns, and addiction support. The sessions are available face-to-face, by telephone, or via video call, and are delivered by healthcare professionals, disability employment advisers, and specialist Pathways to Work advisers. The initiative targets those awaiting a Work Capability Assessment or those already deemed to have Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA).
Government's Welfare-to-Work Agenda
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. Getting more people into good work is central to our Plan for Change and Support Conversations will help us do exactly this."
The rollout follows trials at six pilot sites, where the DWP reports that participants felt more 'listened to' and 'supported'. This builds on the deployment of 1,000 Pathways to Work advisers, who have already assisted more than 65,000 disabled and sick people in moving closer to employment.
Part of Broader Reforms
The Government faces pressure to address the rising sickness benefit bill, with millions of working-age adults economically inactive due to poor health. Support Conversations are part of the Pathways to Work strategy, which includes Connect to Work (helping 300,000 people into jobs), WorkWell (£259 million for 250,000 people), Right to Try (allowing sick and disabled people to try work without benefit reassessment), and 1,000 Pathways to Work advisers.
Full List of New Jobcentre Locations
The DWP announced the following 27 locations in the expansion: Aberdare, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Blaydon, Bournemouth, Didsbury, Glenrothes, Grimsby, Hoxton, Lancaster, Leeds Park Place, Leicester Charles Street, Leicester Wellington Street, North Shields, Northwich, Preston, Rusholme, Saltcoats, Shettleston, South Shields, Southend, Sparkhill, Springburn, Sunderland, Thornaby, Wester Hailes, Whitehaven, and Workington. Six additional Jobcentre locations will be revealed shortly.
Support Conversations remain voluntary and are available only to claimants with health conditions or disabilities awaiting a Work Capability Assessment or already assessed as LCWRA.
