Jobcentre Plus - Responding to the Government s Carers Strategy

1. The Government�s Carers Strategy �Carers at the heart of 21st-century families and communities� was published in June 2008. It set out the Government�s short-term agenda and long-term vision for the future care and support of carers. The Carer Strategy sets 2018 as a target by when: Carers will be respected as expert care partners and will have access to the integrated and personalised services they need to support them in their caring role. Carers will be able to have a life of their own alongside their caring role. Carers will be supported so that they are not forced into financial hardship by their caring role. Carers will be supported to stay mentally and physically well and treated with dignity. Children and young people will be protected from inappropriate caring and have the support they need to learn, develop and thrive, to enjoy positive childhoods and to achieve against all the Every Child Matters outcomes. Responsibility for delivery of these outcomes is shared various government departments including: The Department of Health The Department for Communities and Local Government The Department for Children, Schools and Families. The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, and Jobcentre Plus as part of the Department of Work and Pensions The Government�s Carers Strategy �Carers at the heart of 21st-century families and communities� was published in June 2008. It set out the Government�s short-term agenda and long-term vision for the future care and support of carers. The Carer Strategy sets 2018 as a target by when: Carers will be respected as expert care partners and will have access to the integrated and personalised services they need to support them in their caring role. Carers will be able to have a life of their own alongside their caring role. Carers will be supported so that they are not forced into financial hardship by their caring role. Carers will be supported to stay mentally and physically well and treated with dignity. Children and young people will be protected from inappropriate caring and have the support they need to learn, develop and thrive, to enjoy positive childhoods and to achieve against all the Every Child Matters outcomes. Responsibility for delivery of these outcomes is shared various government departments including: The Department of Health The Department for Communities and Local Government The Department for Children, Schools and Families. The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, and Jobcentre Plus as part of the Department of Work and Pensions

2. The focus of Jobcentre Plus� commitment is on the provision of employment support for carers who are looking to combine their caring role with paid work or who want to prepare for a time when their caring responsibilities cease. These short term commitments have to be met by 2011 The focus of Jobcentre Plus� commitment is on the provision of employment support for carers who are looking to combine their caring role with paid work or who want to prepare for a time when their caring responsibilities cease. These short term commitments have to be met by 2011

3. The Government�s aims related to carers and employment are (see Slide) - Carers are often out of the labour market for long periods and many need support to overcome the challenges they face managing their caring role before they can consider moving into work - for example � help / advice on updating their skills to move them closer to the labour market. This support needs to be available both while they are caring, to help those who want to combine their caring role with paid work, and when their caring responsibilities cease. The Government wants to minimise the negative financial impacts of caring: Carers often fall into the benefit trap � for example many carers take themselves out of the labour market to care for a friend or relative. Customers in receipt of Carer�s Allowance are only able to earn up to �95.00 per week to remain eligible. The Government also wants to ensure that carers have the confidence and access to enter paid work. In general - carers (unless on a mandatory employment support programme because of their other circumstances) will access Jobcentre Plus employment support for carers on a purely voluntary basis. There will be no affect on benefits for those who decide that the employment support available for them through Jobcentre Plus is not suitable for them at this time. The Government�s aims related to carers and employment are (see Slide) - Carers are often out of the labour market for long periods and many need support to overcome the challenges they face managing their caring role before they can consider moving into work - for example � help / advice on updating their skills to move them closer to the labour market. This support needs to be available both while they are caring, to help those who want to combine their caring role with paid work, and when their caring responsibilities cease. The Government wants to minimise the negative financial impacts of caring: Carers often fall into the benefit trap � for example many carers take themselves out of the labour market to care for a friend or relative. Customers in receipt of Carer�s Allowance are only able to earn up to �95.00 per week to remain eligible. The Government also wants to ensure that carers have the confidence and access to enter paid work. In general - carers (unless on a mandatory employment support programme because of their other circumstances) will access Jobcentre Plus employment support for carers on a purely voluntary basis. There will be no affect on benefits for those who decide that the employment support available for them through Jobcentre Plus is not suitable for them at this time.

4. The term �carer� has different definitions across government and in different pieces of legislation. Jobcentre Plus uses the strategy definition. Jobcentre Plus does not attempt to put fixed boundaries or limits on what is �significant�: the circumstances of each carer wanting our help will be considered on their own merits. However, since Jobcentre Plus� focus is on employment support � we see significant as meaning caring responsibilities that act as a barrier to work, impacting on the type of work a customer can undertake or the hours they are able to consider working. The term �carer� has different definitions across government and in different pieces of legislation. Jobcentre Plus uses the strategy definition. Jobcentre Plus does not attempt to put fixed boundaries or limits on what is �significant�: the circumstances of each carer wanting our help will be considered on their own merits. However, since Jobcentre Plus� focus is on employment support � we see significant as meaning caring responsibilities that act as a barrier to work, impacting on the type of work a customer can undertake or the hours they are able to consider working.

5. To meet it�s commitments to the UK Government�s carers strategy Jobcentre Plus introducing (see slide) CaPMs have been in place in every Jobcentre Plus district since September 2009. To support this new role a bespoke learning package has been developed and delivered to CaPMs. This learning was developed with the support of and in consultation with carer support organisations such as Carers UK and Princess Royal Trust for Carers. Specialist learning for Jobcentre Plus personal advisers has been developed and is being delivered to a significant core of advisory staff between October 2009 and June 2010. This enhances existing learning on carers and aims to better equip advisers with an understanding of carers needs and barriers to work. Wider access to employment support for carers will be available from 7 December 2009. Help with funding for replacement care will be available from 7 December 2009. In additional to this, DWP (with Jobcentre Plus) is investigating the feasibility of providing return to work support through third sector organisations. This is at an early stage. Jobcentre Plus also has a commitment to improve information about flexible job vacancies in Jobcentre Plus job banks. A new vacancy taking system was introduced from October 2009 which is designed to improve the consistency of job descriptions in vacancies. This includes the use of standard phrases describing the terms and conditions offered by the employer, such as flexible working practices. To meet it�s commitments to the UK Government�s carers strategy Jobcentre Plus introducing (see slide) CaPMs have been in place in every Jobcentre Plus district since September 2009. To support this new role a bespoke learning package has been developed and delivered to CaPMs. This learning was developed with the support of and in consultation with carer support organisations such as Carers UK and Princess Royal Trust for Carers. Specialist learning for Jobcentre Plus personal advisers has been developed and is being delivered to a significant core of advisory staff between October 2009 and June 2010. This enhances existing learning on carers and aims to better equip advisers with an understanding of carers needs and barriers to work. Wider access to employment support for carers will be available from 7 December 2009. Help with funding for replacement care will be available from 7 December 2009. In additional to this, DWP (with Jobcentre Plus) is investigating the feasibility of providing return to work support through third sector organisations. This is at an early stage. Jobcentre Plus also has a commitment to improve information about flexible job vacancies in Jobcentre Plus job banks. A new vacancy taking system was introduced from October 2009 which is designed to improve the consistency of job descriptions in vacancies. This includes the use of standard phrases describing the terms and conditions offered by the employer, such as flexible working practices.

6. The Care Partnership Managers: Act as a strategic focal point for local carer issues Build and maintain relationships with relevant local carer support organisations � for example, Local Authority Care Services, Primary Care Trusts (NHS Health Boards / Trusts in Wales and Scotland), voluntary sector Carers Centres etc. Work with these organisations to encourage development of external services to support that demand, with particular focus on replacement care to enable carers to combine their caring responsibilities with paid employment. Work with other Jobcentre Plus partnership managers to ensure availability of suitable training and employment opportunities Ensure that Jobcentre Plus advisers have information on the availability of local support and services to effectively work with and signpost carers. The Care Partnership Managers: Act as a strategic focal point for local carer issues Build and maintain relationships with relevant local carer support organisations � for example, Local Authority Care Services, Primary Care Trusts (NHS Health Boards / Trusts in Wales and Scotland), voluntary sector Carers Centres etc. Work with these organisations to encourage development of external services to support that demand, with particular focus on replacement care to enable carers to combine their caring responsibilities with paid employment. Work with other Jobcentre Plus partnership managers to ensure availability of suitable training and employment opportunities Ensure that Jobcentre Plus advisers have information on the availability of local support and services to effectively work with and signpost carers.

7. Delivery of enhanced learning for personal advisers started on 26 October 2009. The training of a core of at least 2500 advisory staff will be completed by June 2010 after which the new learning material will be made available to all personal advisers. This training has been designed in consultation with voluntary sector community organisations, principally, Carers UK and The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and includes case studies designed to reinforce attitudes and behaviours appropriate to carer issues. To further supplement adviser learning: Care Partnership Managers have been introduced in every Jobcentre Plus district. Part of their role is to work with learning and development colleagues to ensure advisers are equipped with the skills and knowledge to support carers. The Carer Portal was introduced on the Departmental Intranet in July 2008. It serves as a central repository and focal point for Jobcentre Plus staff, providing Jobcentre Plus advisers with a wide range of information about carers and their needs. It was developed in consultation with key stakeholders (PDCS, Princess Royal Trust for Carers). Delivery of enhanced learning for personal advisers started on 26 October 2009. The training of a core of at least 2500 advisory staff will be completed by June 2010 after which the new learning material will be made available to all personal advisers. This training has been designed in consultation with voluntary sector community organisations, principally, Carers UK and The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and includes case studies designed to reinforce attitudes and behaviours appropriate to carer issues. To further supplement adviser learning: Care Partnership Managers have been introduced in every Jobcentre Plus district. Part of their role is to work with learning and development colleagues to ensure advisers are equipped with the skills and knowledge to support carers. The Carer Portal was introduced on the Departmental Intranet in July 2008. It serves as a central repository and focal point for Jobcentre Plus staff, providing Jobcentre Plus advisers with a wide range of information about carers and their needs. It was developed in consultation with key stakeholders (PDCS, Princess Royal Trust for Carers).

8. Many jobcentre Plus customers who are carers already have access to tried and tested employment support programmes e.g. carers who are also lone parents have access to New Deal for Lone Parents, others have access to New Deal for Partners or Pathways to Work or Jobseeker programmes. This change will widen access to employment support to those carers who do not already have such access. Carers who benefit from the changes will be aged 18 or over, working less than 16 hours a week and do not currently have access to an existing programme of employment support. For example customers who are currently in receipt of Income Support and / or Carer�s Allowance, and additionally, carers who do not currently receive a benefit. They will be able to access employment support involving Adviser caseloading, an action plan, training opportunities and financial assistance. The large majority of approved training opportunities will, from 7 December 2009 be delivered through the new Jobcentre Plus Support Contract. This includes a requirement for providers to recognise and support carers by ensuring that delivery of learning modules is flexible enough to meet the needs of customers with caring responsibilities. Many jobcentre Plus customers who are carers already have access to tried and tested employment support programmes e.g. carers who are also lone parents have access to New Deal for Lone Parents, others have access to New Deal for Partners or Pathways to Work or Jobseeker programmes. This change will widen access to employment support to those carers who do not already have such access. Carers who benefit from the changes will be aged 18 or over, working less than 16 hours a week and do not currently have access to an existing programme of employment support. For example customers who are currently in receipt of Income Support and / or Carer�s Allowance, and additionally, carers who do not currently receive a benefit. They will be able to access employment support involving Adviser caseloading, an action plan, training opportunities and financial assistance. The large majority of approved training opportunities will, from 7 December 2009 be delivered through the new Jobcentre Plus Support Contract. This includes a requirement for providers to recognise and support carers by ensuring that delivery of learning modules is flexible enough to meet the needs of customers with caring responsibilities.

9. Jobcentre Plus will be able to provide financial help to meet replacement care costs for carers engaged in approved activities. This will support carers who want to combine their caring role with paid work or who want to refresh their skills in preparation for a time when their caring responsibilities end. Approved activity means activity such as attending advisory or employer interviews, taking part in Jobcentre Plus approved training courses as part of a work focused action plan agreed between the carer and the adviser. Approved training means those course where an Service Level Agreement or contract is in place between Jobcentre Plus and the provider. The local Care Partnership Manager Role will be pivotal in working with local carer support organisations to identify and assess levels of care provision and supplying local knowledge to Advisers working with carers wanting to access local care provision. Jobcentre Plus will be able to provide financial help to meet replacement care costs for carers engaged in approved activities. This will support carers who want to combine their caring role with paid work or who want to refresh their skills in preparation for a time when their caring responsibilities end. Approved activity means activity such as attending advisory or employer interviews, taking part in Jobcentre Plus approved training courses as part of a work focused action plan agreed between the carer and the adviser. Approved training means those course where an Service Level Agreement or contract is in place between Jobcentre Plus and the provider. The local Care Partnership Manager Role will be pivotal in working with local carer support organisations to identify and assess levels of care provision and supplying local knowledge to Advisers working with carers wanting to access local care provision.