DWP change for people with health conditions will affect thousands

A significant change by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to affect thousands of individuals with health conditions. The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has announced today that a new work and health support service will be rolled out across 15 areas in England, as part of the UK Government's strategy to help those with health conditions return to work.

The newly launched WorkWell pilots - a joint initiative between the DWP and the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) - "will connect 59,000 people from October to local support services including physiotherapy and counselling so they can get the tailored help they need to stay in or return to work", according to the Government. One of the areas the trial is being carried out in is Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

This move comes after the Prime Minister's announcement of a wide range of welfare reforms, which the Government describes as a modernisation of the benefits system aimed at helping thousands more enter the workforce. Among these changes is a review of fit notes, with the aim of reducing the pressure on GPs and creating personalised work and health plans designed to prevent individuals from leaving the workforce and entering into long-term sickness benefits.

The Government has announced that the WorkWell service "provides a single, joined-up assessment and gateway into both employment support and health services locally to help people manage their conditions and to identify workplace adjustments or support that would enable them to stay in work or return sooner". The scheme is open to all, regardless of whether they are claiming government benefits, reports Teesside Live.

Participants will receive personalised assistance from a Work and Health Coach to understand their current health and social barriers to work and devise a plan to overcome these obstacles. The Government maintains that evidence shows work can significantly improve wellbeing reducing depression risk, enhancing physical health, and fostering self-confidence and financial independence.

Work and Pensions Secretary, Mel Stride MP, commented: "We are rolling out the next generation of welfare reforms so that thousands more people can gain all the benefits work brings. Too many today are falling out of work in a spiral of sickness that harms their finances, their prospects and ultimately their health, where with the right workplace adjustments and help, this needn't be the case. And so we have designed WorkWell, a groundbreaking new service, that will for the first time integrate health and work advice at the local level, as part of our plan to stem the flow into economic inactivity, grow the economy, and change lives for the better."

Health and Social Care Secretary, Victoria Atkins MP, remarked: "Too often, people with disabilities or poor health fall out of work with no support. We have a plan to change that and improve lives so everyone has the opportunity to find fulfilling work."

"This service will help tens of thousands of people, who will receive joined-up work and health support, tailored to their individual needs. This service, alongside a faster, simpler and fairer health service, will build a healthier workforce, and a stronger economy."

The Government has announced that WorkWell is designed "for anyone with a health condition or disability, including mental health conditions, who wants to work". It's a voluntary service, allowing individuals to self-refer or be referred by their GP, employer, or community sector.

Professionals involved in the service will also offer guidance on workplace adjustments, such as flexible working hours or adaptive technology, assist in discussions with employers regarding health requirements, and provide access to local services like physiotherapy, employment advice, and counselling.

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, expressed his approval: "It is fantastic that 15 ICSs can now start to get their WorkWell plans off the ground to provide more intensive, early-intervention support to their populations. ICS leaders know that with the right support, people living with poor health and long-term conditions can find that good quality work helps prevent them from becoming more unwell."

"This helps people to live a fuller life, which in turn reduces pressure on health services. While all 42 ICSs are already working incredibly hard to make progress on their fourth core purpose, to support the NHS in driving broader economic and social development, these pilots will offer joined-up work and health support and are a welcome opportunity to spur it on in some areas. We welcome the cross-Whitehall approach to tackling knotty issues and look forward to seeing these projects get off the ground and are pleased to be working with the Joint Work and Health Unit on this."

The latest figures indicate that there are currently 2.8 million individuals 'economically inactive' due to long-term sickness, reaching a near-record high. The process of issuing fit notes is often the initial step towards someone leaving employment and becoming inactive, and recent NHS data reveals that almost 11 million fit notes were issued last year, with a staggering 94% marked as "not fit for work".

Many of these are repeat fit notes, often given without any advice, representing a lost chance to provide necessary support to help individuals stay employed. In response, the Prime Minister has called for a review of the fit note system to prevent people from being automatically classified as "not fit for work" and to create a new system where the focus of each fit note discussion is on what individuals can do with appropriate support, rather than on their limitations, the Government has announced.

The Government is currently gathering evidence and considering reforms to the fit note process, aiming for better integration with the WorkWell initiative. This would facilitate a unified assessment and access to local employment support services for those in need, according to official statements.

Notably, some of the WorkWell pilot schemes are located in regions with high numbers of fit notes issued, such as Greater Manchester and the Black Country, where over one million fit notes were distributed last year.

Additionally, the Government is introducing "fit note trailblazers" in certain WorkWell pilot areas. These initiatives are designed to ensure that individuals requesting a fit note engage in a work and health conversation and receive guidance towards local employment support services, helping them stay employed.

The "trailblazers" aim to explore more effective methods of managing, directing, and assisting those seeking fit notes, with the goal of preventing those with long-term health conditions from exiting the workforce. This includes connecting them to their local WorkWell service for support.

Spanning a third of England's Integrated Care Boards, the success of these pilots will be pivotal in determining whether a national WorkWell service might be launched. Such a service would focus on preventing job loss due to ill health by providing appropriate adjustments and support.

The Government's extensive welfare reforms also encompass modifications to the Work Capability Assessment, which are anticipated to decrease the number of individuals placed on the highest tier of incapacity benefits by 424,000 by 2028/29. These people will now receive personalised support to prepare for work, while the Government's Chance to Work Guarantee ensures that they can try work without fear of losing their benefits.

The implementation of Universal Credit will also be sped up to transition all those remaining on outdated legacy systems onto a simpler, more dynamic benefit system, eliminating a binary choice between work and welfare. The Government also intends to alter the rules so that over 180,000 Universal Credit claimants will have more frequent access to the expertise and guidance of work coaches, as a result of laying regulations to increase the Administrative Earnings Threshold.

WorkWell pilots will be conducted in the following areas:.

Birmingham and Solihull.

Black Country.

Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Coventry and Warwickshire.

Frimley.

Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Greater Manchester.

Lancashire and South Cumbria.

Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

North Central London.

North West London.

South Yorkshire.

Surrey Heartlands.