HC Deb 20 July 2004 vol 424 cc157-8W
Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many referrals for medical advice were made by staff of his Department when assessing the capacity of a claimant to manage his/her financial affairs in 2002–03. [182700]

Maria Eagle

The Department does not normally require a report by a qualified medical officer before granting an appointeeship. A visiting officer will make an independent assessment of a customer's ability to manage his or her own affairs based on Department guidelines. In cases where there is some doubt the opinion of a suitably qualified professional may be sought, for example a social worker, community psychiatric nurse or general practitioner.

Information is not available on of the number of interviews that are undertaken.

Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what training staff of his Department receive prior to undertaking assessments of a claimant's capacity to manage their own financial affairs; [182698]

(2) what guidance is given to staff of his Department on appointeeship; when this guidance was last updated; and whether it is available to the public (a) through the Department's website and (b) from local offices. [182727]

Maria Eagle

A wide range of training is available to staff undertaking assessments of a person's capacity to manage their own affairs, including training on disability awareness, and working with vulnerable groups, which contains specific training regarding dealing with people with mental health problems. In addition new visiting officers will spend time accompanying more experienced members of staff as part of their training.

All staff have access to guidance in the Agents, Attorneys, Appointees and Receivers Guide, which is currently being updated. While there is currently no specific training about undertaking an assessment of a person's capacity to manage their own financial affairs, a new training product is currently being developed which will help staff identify who may need an appointee.

The Department's internal guidance is not available to members of the public.