PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Social Security Benefits: Appeals (24 October 2018)

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 15 October 2018 to Question 177186 on Social Security Benefits: Appeals, what evidence-based protocol on autism healthcare professionals employed by his Department are required to learn as part of their training.

Asked by:
Dame Angela Eagle (Labour)

Functional assessments are delivered on behalf of the Department by a range of suppliers.

The Department requires Health Professionals to have broad training in disability analysis, as well as awareness training in specific conditions. These include autism.

Health Professionals carrying out these functional assessments have access to training such as evidence based protocols, e-learning modules or case studies as well as keeping knowledge up to date through Continuous Professional Development. Health Professionals are not required to be an expert in a particular medical condition. They are expected to have a broad knowledge of different medical conditions and work with claimants to assess how these affect their daily life.

DWP are committed to ensuring claimants receive high quality, objective and accurate assessments. We continue to work extensively with providers to make improvements to guidance and training in order to ensure the quality of the services are continuously improved.

Answered by:
Sarah Newton (Conservative)
29 October 2018