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Revised Skill Conditionality Referral Process

Department for Work & Pensions 2

Background

• Revised Skill Conditionality referral process following a high court Judicial review • Legal council has reviewed and amended all the communications and processes of the

manadatory schemes under the Schemes for Assisting Persons to Obtain Employment (SAPOE) Regulations

• This is to ensure that we comply with the Legal Framework imposed upon the Department by legislation and Judicial Review rulings , and to prevent further legal challenges

• DWP has introduced a new two stage referral process with immediate effect from the 16 th February 2015

• The two staged approach must be employed because a one stage approach does not meet legal compliance

Department for Work & Pensions 3

• Provide full details of the training • Address• Date and time of the appointment • Notify JCP single point of contact (SPOC) initial assessment details • Confirm next steps and availability of provision • Explain to claimants the minimum standards of service you expect from

them

Provider Responsibilities

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JCP Responsibilities -Work Coach Action

• Claimants must :

• Be assessed to ensure the provision is suitable and relevant to them • Understand what activity they will be undertaking whilst on provision • Have the opportunity to discuss the course relevance with their Work Coach prior to commencing

provision • At this point the claimants should be given an option to raise any objections if they feel the

training is not appropriate for them • If the claimant does so , the Work Coach will need to inform the claimant why they still believe the

training is the most suitable option for them • Following this open discussion the claimant can then be mandated to the training • There is also a discussion between the WC and the claimant to discuss learning objectives which

form part of the claimant commitment • This supports a DWP process and ensures that sanctions are not imposed in circumstances which

would be unfair

Department for Work & Pensions

Letters

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• The Skill Conditionality referral process and notification letters have been amended to ensure that only a two stage approach is completed in future

• Letters must not be amended locally . Any changes may lead to a legal challenge • Letters gives further information on activities , phone number , time, start date and clearly states

Jobseeker responsibilities • It gives further emphasis about complaints and the minimum standards of service you can expect

from the provider

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Any Questions

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DWP Contacts

Marie Curran E- Mail Marie.curran@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

Simone Liberis E-Mail Simone.Liberis@dwp.gsi.gov.uk