[holding answer 29 February 2008]: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
Letter from Lesley Strathie, dated 6 March 2008:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what action is being taken to ensure that young adults with learning difficulties in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance, who cannot read, understand forms or use telephones are able to receive personal help from the Department. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
If a customer cannot read, understand forms or use telephones then a face-to-face meeting at the customer’s local Jobcentre can be arranged at which the customer will be helped to make their claim for benefit and, where appropriate, be offered support to seek work. Customers making use of this facility may also wish to involve their own advocate or support agency in this process.
All of our customers will meet a Financial Assessor when they attend their New Jobseeker Interview or Work-Focused Interview. This allows the Financial Assessor the opportunity to assess the individual needs of the customer and offer any further help they need in order to make a successful claim.
For those customers with a disability who are ready to start looking for work, we have a network of Disability Employment Advisers who offer help to those who need and want a more in-depth support to find and retain employment. Disability Employment Advisers have received specialist training to allow them to help people with more complex barriers to employment and can offer help with completing applications forms as well as acting as an advocate for the customer in approaches made to potential employers.
Disability Employment Advisers can also help customers apply for help through a range of disability programmes including Access to Work, which can fund the cost of an advocate to attend a job interview with someone with learning difficulties.
We provide more personal support for vulnerable people who genuinely need an increased level of support and we are constantly looking at ways of improving services to our vulnerable customers.