§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to provide deafness awareness training for all jobcentre staff; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LeeWe intend that jobcentres will participate in the sympathetic hearing scheme, and intend that all jobcentre staff will receive appropriate training this year.
We have recently made induction hearing loops available to all jobcentres, and are monitoring their usage and effectiveness. Help is also available from specialist social workers belonging to local authority social services departments and from relevant voluntary organisations when professional interpreting assistance is required for communicating with some profoundly deaf clients.