Work and Health Programme statistics to August 2018

Pintel wrote:  @ForgetMeNot.

By any chance have you got the link to the DWP's "WHP assessment tool and guidance"?

ABC wrote:What they don't tell you is why 25% of the referrals are non-starters. That would be of more interest.

ForgetMeNot wrote:You will not be referred to the WHP if JCP can meet your needs with current provision and/ or you're already participating in some work related activity.

ABC wrote:

ForgetMeNot wrote:You will not be referred to the WHP if JCP can meet your needs with current provision and/ or you're already participating in some work related activity.

Would that include voluntary work?

Gallazz wrote:

ABC wrote:

ForgetMeNot wrote:You will not be referred to the WHP if JCP can meet your needs with current provision and/ or you're already participating in some work related activity.

Would that include voluntary work?

I can't even find where it says that, but it's interesting because in both appointments where my referral to WHP was discussed, the wc brought up the voluntary work I'm doing. It's very close to the Jobcentre and both times he said, "It's weird I've never seen you", as if he didn't believe I was really doing it...

Gallazz wrote:

Gallazz wrote:

ABC wrote:

ForgetMeNot wrote:You will not be referred to the WHP if JCP can meet your needs with current provision and/ or you're already participating in some work related activity.

Would that include voluntary work?

I can't even find where it says that, but it's interesting because in both appointments where my referral to WHP was discussed, the wc brought up the voluntary work I'm doing. It's very close to the Jobcentre and both times he said, "It's weird I've never seen you", as if he didn't believe I was really doing it...

I found it, and it does - see page 20: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/461555/response/1118126/attach/4/6.WC%20actions%20DCAMS.PDF.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1

If necessary you may wish to show your work coach their own guidance.

I concur with ABC, you defiinitley have not been mandated.

Have you completed a Vol1 form regarding your voluntary work?

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/form_to_declare_voluntary_work_t

Gallazz wrote:I haven't completed a Vol1 form because although I've mentioned my voluntary work to a number of wc, none of them has asked me to, which surprised me because I have been asked to when I've volunteered in the past. Hmmm.

The wc who didn't seem to believe I was volunteering referred me on what turned out to be my last ever appointment with them, but if my new wc ever tries to send me back to WHP, I could offer to supply evidence of my volunteering and say the old one not believing me may have been part of the reason he referred me.

Would volunteering definitely get you out of WHP, do you think?

Gallazz wrote:I found it, and it does - see page 20: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/461555/response/1118126/attach/4/6.WC%20actions%20DCAMS.PDF.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1

So maybe if I'd tried a bit harder to convince the wc that I was really volunteering (which I am), I could've dodged a f***in' referral *tsk*

ABC wrote:

Gallazz wrote:

Gallazz wrote:I found it, and it does - see page 20: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/461555/response/1118126/attach/4/6.WC%20actions%20DCAMS.PDF.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1

So maybe if I'd tried a bit harder to convince the wc that I was really volunteering (which I am), I could've dodged a f***in' referral *tsk*

I'm not sure page 20 helps at all as it seems to say the exact opposite. What those particular questions on page 20 do is determine whether the claimant is open to "learning and adapting" and voluntary work is seen as a definite yes for that category and would therefore be an active reason to refer the claimant to the WHP and not to disbar them from it. So by saying you were volunteering you were providing info that made it more likely you would be referred to the WHP, which is why your wc was so keen to know.

ForgetMeNot wrote:Why would a referral to the WHP be beneficial if a claimants 'needs' are being satified by alternative provision, such as voluntary work?

ABC wrote:

ForgetMeNot wrote:Why would a referral to the WHP be beneficial if a claimants 'needs' are being satified by alternative provision, such as voluntary work?

I suppose they would argue that voluntary work on its own may not be sufficient to meet a cliamant's needs if they have one or more disabilities that the Jobcentre can't provide support for. So they shove you off to the WHP instead.

ABC wrote:Thanks ND. I'm considering writing a pre-emptive letter to try to convince them I shouldn't be referred. What sort of info could/should I include in that?

What those particular questions on page 20 do is determine whether the claimant is open to "learning and adapting" and voluntary work is seen as a definite yes for that category and would therefore be an active reason to refer the claimant to the WHP and not to disbar them from it. So by saying you were volunteering you were providing info that made it more likely you would be referred to the WHP, which is why your wc was so keen to know.