PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Refuges: Females (15 February 2019)

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many nominated members of staff there are employed in job centres across the UK whose role it is to liaise with women's refuges in their local area.

Asked by:
Alison McGovern (Labour)

DWP is committed to providing the best possible support for all our claimants, including the most vulnerable in society. This includes those who are, or have been, victims of domestic abuse.

By summer 2019, we will have domestic abuse specialists in every Jobcentre to further raise awareness of domestic abuse, support work coaches and act as a nominated contact for local domestic abuse partners.

We are working closely with partner organisations to develop the training for Jobcentre staff to effectively undertake the role. The training will be delivered in collaboration with a key partner organisation, with the first events planned to take place later this year.

Our Work Coaches are there to provide the right support to all vulnerable claimant groups, including survivors of domestic abuse. To support them to do this, the Department ensures that they are equipped to do their role by providing them with the expertise and training to undertake this role effectively. All Work Coaches receive training on how to support claimants with complex needs, which includes a module on identifying, supporting and signposting victims of abuse.

In addition, Jobcentre sites have access to and make regular use of a complex needs toolkit available at a local level. This toolkit includes information on both local and national supporting agencies.

Answered by:
Justin Tomlinson (Conservative)
25 February 2019