§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to ensure that staff who operate(a) the Single Work Focused Gateway and (b) The New Deal Personal Adviser Service are trained to identify carers and advise them of the services available. [78548]
443W
§ Mr. Andrew SmithI am ensuring that ES New Deal Personal Advisers and Advisers operating in a Single Work Focused Advisory capacity use the range of training products that have been developed to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to work with carers and other client groups.
It is a prerequisite of undertaking advisory duties that staff fully understand the needs of client groups with special needs, and tailored training material has been produced for this purpose. Line managers and trainers then review the understanding of advisers to check that they can: identify jobseekers who have caring responsibilities or who are ex carers; explain the action to take to help carers and ex carers back in to work; and explain how to help them.
This training material was recently sent to the Carers National Association for their review.
In preparation for the introduction of SWFG, we will hold an event for all SWFG Advisers on 17–18 June. This will focus specifically on dealing with special client groups. The event will involve direct input of a number of special clients representative groups including the Carers National Association.