by Andrew HolmanLast week the long awaited employment strategy for people with learning disabilities was launched - I think!
I wasn't invited to any press or launch event, so waited eagerly to read all about it on the DWP web site this morning, only to see - nothing! Turning to the DH website, obvious really, I see Phil Hope mentioned and talk about "a new goal to get more people with learning disabilities into work"
But again no details or links to a document!
I then open my post and find two letters from the DWP, not details of a strategy about helping people with learning disabilities get jobs but from Jobcentre plus Fraud Investigation Service! They are asking about a couple of the people with learning disabilities we employ. The letter is a bit threatening, I legally have to supply information under this and that legislation, I don't have to provide information that may incriminate me etc etc. It's not that the DWP don't know about these people I employ, they gave us a little grant to do so and it was done with the support of the local agency, so they have all of the details already and have paid us to do this!
I could go on here about promises to be joined up across government that I think should also apply across the same department. But shall refrain. I do want to make the comment that for this to work it needs to get its act together, we have waited a long time for this strategy and its got a huge job to do. With letters like this it's no wonder people are worried about any changes to their benefits and jobs, we need nice letters saying how pleased they are people have got a job, not fraud investigations! And Phil, if you are listening, we need the strategy up on the web site so we can point out how it should be done!
But again no details or links to a document!
I then open my post and find two letters from the DWP, not details of a strategy about helping people with learning disabilities get jobs but from Jobcentre plus Fraud Investigation Service! They are asking about a couple of the people with learning disabilities we employ. The letter is a bit threatening, I legally have to supply information under this and that legislation, I don't have to provide information that may incriminate me etc etc. It's not that the DWP don't know about these people I employ, they gave us a little grant to do so and it was done with the support of the local agency, so they have all of the details already and have paid us to do this!
I could go on here about promises to be joined up across government that I think should also apply across the same department. But shall refrain. I do want to make the comment that for this to work it needs to get its act together, we have waited a long time for this strategy and its got a huge job to do. With letters like this it's no wonder people are worried about any changes to their benefits and jobs, we need nice letters saying how pleased they are people have got a job, not fraud investigations! And Phil, if you are listening, we need the strategy up on the web site so we can point out how it should be done!
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