§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what training Benefits Agency staff receive in respect of the particular needs of disabled people. [35582]
§ Mr. DenhamThe administration of Disability Living Allowance is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the right hon. Member.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Dafydd Wigley, dated 30 March 1998:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked my to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about what training Benefits Agency (BA) staff receive in respect of the particular needs of disabled people.The BA aims to ensure that all our customers have equal access to the benefits system, and that wherever possible, our services can accommodate their individual needs. BA staff that deal with customers are trained in dealing with people with disabilities. The BA recognises the need to develop appreciation of all equal opportunity issues, and as such, provides training in serving the needs of the community. It is our policy to work in partnership with organisations from the voluntary sector to identify areas where improvements could be made and to work together to make the necessary changes.You may also be interested to note that the BA operates a dedicated telephone helpline to meet the special needs of people with disabilities. Staff on the Benefit Enquiry Line (BEL) provide advice and information about social security benefits and how to claim them. They can also provide help and assistance completing disability claim forms. In addition to the full range of social security benefits, the initial training for the operators includes extensive disability awareness. This is supported by ongoing workshops which concentrate on the individual needs of customers suffering from a wide range of disabilities. Most recently this has included awareness sessions on the problems encountered by people with Mental Health problems.The Government is determined that disabled people should be dealt with properly and fairly; they should have sufficient information about what is required of them to allow them to provide the required level of information about the effect of their disability.Each of our managers is responsible for providing training which will help staff to meet the needs of their customers. We actively encourage them to use the expertise and support available from organisations and the voluntary sector. To assist managers, we have provided them with information on the awareness programmes and services available from a range of organizations.I hope you find this reply helpful.