Update on AtW Personal Budgets
5th December 2017
I've had feedback from three people with Personal Budgets. They all like them, because they have more flexibility without having to check with AtW every time, e.g. if you need two interpreters, have to pay an interpreter more because of travel or evening work, etc. However making the payments to interpreters, keeping track of the money and sending the information to AtW does take time.
AtW now have a simple spreadsheet they can send you to keep track of your spending. If you haven't been sent one of these, you can ask the adviser.
I've had feedback from three people with Personal Budgets. They all like them, because they have more flexibility without having to check with AtW every time, e.g. if you need two interpreters, have to pay an interpreter more because of travel or evening work, etc. However making the payments to interpreters, keeping track of the money and sending the information to AtW does take time.
AtW now have a simple spreadsheet they can send you to keep track of your spending. If you haven't been sent one of these, you can ask the adviser.
Stop the Changes new report & recommendations: Barriers to Work
24th September 2017
Stop the Changes have released Barriers to Work, a new report about ATW. You can also download the recommendations about how ATW how it can improve. You can download them both from the Stop the Changes website.
Stop the Changes have released Barriers to Work, a new report about ATW. You can also download the recommendations about how ATW how it can improve. You can download them both from the Stop the Changes website.
AtW trial of Personal Budgets ending - new Managed Personal Budget to be introduced
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2nd August 2017
Deaf people who have been trying the Personal Budget for 12 months have been told that the trial has finished for them. DeafATW don't know anyone who has been asked to feed back about the pilot. In the Market Review just published, ATW has said they are looking to introduce Managed Personal Budgets, with the same flexibility as the Personal Budgets, but where the DWP is responsible for paying invoices. From Annex C: “... Access to Work is currently exploring whether the next iteration of its ATW Personal Budget trial can introduce ‘Managed Personal Budgets’ where the flexibility is retained by the individual but the finance is held by DWP, reducing the burden on the individual.” |
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DeafATW survey & report on problems with AtW
16th February 2017
Thank you to everyone who did the survey. 115 of you answered it, including; Deaf people who use BSL, deaf people who use English, deafblind people, and interpreters.
DeafATW asked three questions:
People told me about many things. The report I sent to DWP picks out the big themes.
Click here to read the report.
DeafATW will also use the other feedback to try to help improve AtW, e.g. in my response to the Green Paper.
Two interesting things that I have already told AtW about, that aren't in the report.
One Deaf person has been told they can't get AtW support because they are on a zero hours contract. I have asked if this is a policy? Because many people are on zero hours contracts now.
Also several people said they had problems with adapted stethoscopes (that doctors use to listen to your breathing and heart) so they can use them with hearing aids.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Thank you to everyone who did the survey. 115 of you answered it, including; Deaf people who use BSL, deaf people who use English, deafblind people, and interpreters.
DeafATW asked three questions:
- What is working well with ATW at the moment? What has improved with ATW?
- What problems do you have with ATW at the moment?
- If you could improve one thing with ATW, so that it supported you to work better, what would you change?
People told me about many things. The report I sent to DWP picks out the big themes.
Click here to read the report.
DeafATW will also use the other feedback to try to help improve AtW, e.g. in my response to the Green Paper.
Two interesting things that I have already told AtW about, that aren't in the report.
One Deaf person has been told they can't get AtW support because they are on a zero hours contract. I have asked if this is a policy? Because many people are on zero hours contracts now.
Also several people said they had problems with adapted stethoscopes (that doctors use to listen to your breathing and heart) so they can use them with hearing aids.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
DWP trial personal budgets for AtW
14th April 2016
AtW are testing if personal budgets work for Deaf and disabled people, for using and paying for support workers (Interpreters, Trainee Interpreters or CSWs, face to face and remote interpreting) and for travel to work.
If you are interested, you can ask to take part in this trial. Just tell your AtW adviser. If they say you can't take part in the trial ask them why, and also let them know you understand Deaf people are underrepresented in the pilot, and you've been told they want more Deaf people.
How personal budgets will work for the trial:
1) You will be paid weeks money (1/13th of your years' budget) every 4 weeks. This money is paid in advance into your personal bank account, i.e. you get the money first, then when you receive the invoice you pay it from that money straight away.
2) You then have to keep a record of invoices and receipts for payment, using an Excel spreadsheet they will give you, and send the receipts to AtW.
3) You can use your budget more flexibly, to meet your access needs as you think is most useful.
For example, you may have an award for 4 days interpreting a week, but at the moment AtW won't let you book two interpreters for meetings, or use a note taker.
With a personal budget you could decide that one week you have one interpreter every day, and another week you have two interpreters for an all day meeting, and book a note taker as well, but use less interpreters the rest of the week.
Is it safe to take part in this trial?
AtW say that if having a personal budget doesn't work for you, or you don't send in the receipts on time, you will go back to the award you have now. So it should be safe to take part.
However there are some things that aren't clear, or may be a problem, and so I suggest you ask the adviser the questions below (you can just copy them), and get the answers in writing, before you take part.
Also there is one general risk with personal budget, that it can make the link between your award and the services you need weaker. For example, if you have an award for 14 hours interpreting a week, you know how much the cost per hour is for this. If AtW don't give you enough you can complain etc. But if you have a personal budget, you may be told (in future) that this is all the money available, and you have to manage the costs yourself. For some elderly and disabled people having Local Authority personal budgets (not AtW), this has caused real problems because their personal budget is not enough money for the care they need. AtW have not said they will do this, but it is a possible risk for the future you should be aware of.
Questions you should ask:
1) How will the personal budget deal with fluctuations in need? For example, in some 4 week periods I may have holiday, so will need to spend less that 4 week period, and more in other 4 week periods.
2) Will I be able to carry over unspent budget to use later, if I spend less than my budget in one 4 week period? If I can, will there be a limit on how much I can carry over?
3) Is it possible to have an annual amount set aside, e.g. two weeks, that would allow me to go over 1/13th where necessary for training etc.
4) How will you review my work access needs if I take part in the trial? Currently the main assessment method used in reviews is to compare my usage against my award. So for example, if I have 14 hours interpreting awarded, you will check how many hours I use on average. But if I spend the budget flexibly this may not work. So what will you base any review of my award on?
5) How if I have a personal budget how will you assess my needs if my circumstances change?
6) Over time costs of services, e.g. interpreting and/or travel to work tend to increase. What mechanism will there be to ensure that my award reflects these?
7) How will AtW get feedback from me on this pilot?
Let DeafATW know if you take part in this trial, and if you would recommend it to other people.
Click here to see the AtW's own information about the award.
AtW are testing if personal budgets work for Deaf and disabled people, for using and paying for support workers (Interpreters, Trainee Interpreters or CSWs, face to face and remote interpreting) and for travel to work.
If you are interested, you can ask to take part in this trial. Just tell your AtW adviser. If they say you can't take part in the trial ask them why, and also let them know you understand Deaf people are underrepresented in the pilot, and you've been told they want more Deaf people.
How personal budgets will work for the trial:
1) You will be paid weeks money (1/13th of your years' budget) every 4 weeks. This money is paid in advance into your personal bank account, i.e. you get the money first, then when you receive the invoice you pay it from that money straight away.
2) You then have to keep a record of invoices and receipts for payment, using an Excel spreadsheet they will give you, and send the receipts to AtW.
3) You can use your budget more flexibly, to meet your access needs as you think is most useful.
For example, you may have an award for 4 days interpreting a week, but at the moment AtW won't let you book two interpreters for meetings, or use a note taker.
With a personal budget you could decide that one week you have one interpreter every day, and another week you have two interpreters for an all day meeting, and book a note taker as well, but use less interpreters the rest of the week.
Is it safe to take part in this trial?
AtW say that if having a personal budget doesn't work for you, or you don't send in the receipts on time, you will go back to the award you have now. So it should be safe to take part.
However there are some things that aren't clear, or may be a problem, and so I suggest you ask the adviser the questions below (you can just copy them), and get the answers in writing, before you take part.
Also there is one general risk with personal budget, that it can make the link between your award and the services you need weaker. For example, if you have an award for 14 hours interpreting a week, you know how much the cost per hour is for this. If AtW don't give you enough you can complain etc. But if you have a personal budget, you may be told (in future) that this is all the money available, and you have to manage the costs yourself. For some elderly and disabled people having Local Authority personal budgets (not AtW), this has caused real problems because their personal budget is not enough money for the care they need. AtW have not said they will do this, but it is a possible risk for the future you should be aware of.
Questions you should ask:
1) How will the personal budget deal with fluctuations in need? For example, in some 4 week periods I may have holiday, so will need to spend less that 4 week period, and more in other 4 week periods.
2) Will I be able to carry over unspent budget to use later, if I spend less than my budget in one 4 week period? If I can, will there be a limit on how much I can carry over?
3) Is it possible to have an annual amount set aside, e.g. two weeks, that would allow me to go over 1/13th where necessary for training etc.
4) How will you review my work access needs if I take part in the trial? Currently the main assessment method used in reviews is to compare my usage against my award. So for example, if I have 14 hours interpreting awarded, you will check how many hours I use on average. But if I spend the budget flexibly this may not work. So what will you base any review of my award on?
5) How if I have a personal budget how will you assess my needs if my circumstances change?
6) Over time costs of services, e.g. interpreting and/or travel to work tend to increase. What mechanism will there be to ensure that my award reflects these?
7) How will AtW get feedback from me on this pilot?
Let DeafATW know if you take part in this trial, and if you would recommend it to other people.
Click here to see the AtW's own information about the award.
Need an interpreter for interview? AtW will provide interpreters without asking the employer to pay.
20th December 2015
November 2015 Limping Chicken published an article about the experience of a Deaf person who contacted AtW about having an interpreter for an interview. However the AtW adviser said that the 'new rules. meant that AtW had to phone the interviewer directly before the interview and ask them if they will pay for the interpreter. This obviously could make put employer's off recruiting Deaf people.
NDCS then contacted Stuart Edwards, Disability Employment Strategy Policy Adviser for DWP, who said that "contributions from employers are not to be sought for communication support at interview. We want to make [getting an interpreter for an interview] as quick and seamless as possible and not add any element of extra risk to a Deaf or disabled person’s recruitment. The guidance will therefore be updated and staff trained accordingly as soon as possible." It's brilliant when AtW listens to the feedback, and then does the right thing.
Recently one Deaf person contacted DeafATW to say that they asked for funding for an interpreter for interview, and this happened with no problems.
November 2015 Limping Chicken published an article about the experience of a Deaf person who contacted AtW about having an interpreter for an interview. However the AtW adviser said that the 'new rules. meant that AtW had to phone the interviewer directly before the interview and ask them if they will pay for the interpreter. This obviously could make put employer's off recruiting Deaf people.
NDCS then contacted Stuart Edwards, Disability Employment Strategy Policy Adviser for DWP, who said that "contributions from employers are not to be sought for communication support at interview. We want to make [getting an interpreter for an interview] as quick and seamless as possible and not add any element of extra risk to a Deaf or disabled person’s recruitment. The guidance will therefore be updated and staff trained accordingly as soon as possible." It's brilliant when AtW listens to the feedback, and then does the right thing.
Recently one Deaf person contacted DeafATW to say that they asked for funding for an interpreter for interview, and this happened with no problems.
AtW test a way of applying online - Dec 2015
20th December 2015
Many people said that they would like to be able to apply for AtW online. AtW are now testing a system that can do this and would like Deaf and deafblind people to help them test it.
Dan Sumners has written a little more about this on the UKCoD website.
Many people said that they would like to be able to apply for AtW online. AtW are now testing a system that can do this and would like Deaf and deafblind people to help them test it.
Dan Sumners has written a little more about this on the UKCoD website.
'Additionality' - another way AtW is stopping Deaf people's support
Note - 'Additionality' seems not be a problem with atW at the moment. Click here to read more about Additionality, and how it can be challenged.
4th May 2015
Many Deaf people who work in deaf services (e.g. Social Worker in sensory impaired teams, Advice Workers for deaf people, people working in deaf schools, working in deaf mental health services) are now having a new problem with AtW, and having all of their support stopped. This is for a reason AtW call 'additionality'.
This word does not appear in the current AtW guidance, or in any other published information. It seems to mean something like this:
If the service provides support for Deaf people using BSL, and they employed a hearing person who couldn't sign, they would have to employ a BSL interpreter for that hearing person to work with their Deaf service users.
So, if they employ a Deaf person who can sign, and the Deaf person would need interpreting support for less hours than the hearing person who can't sign, then there is no 'additional' (extra) cost to the employer. So AtW won't provide any support to the Deaf person.
Deaf people and employers have tried to explain why this is wrong, including:
1) If they employed a hearing person, they would employ a hearing person who could sign, so they wouldn't need an interpreter.
2) The people they work with (e.g. in a sensory team) are mainly English users, not BSL users, and so a hearing person wouldn't need an interpreter, even if they can't sign.
If you have this problem, and the reconsideration team won't put back your support, complain straight away to the PHSO. (Contact me for advice).
There may be more news about additionality, but I won't know until later in May. So please make sure that you have signed up for updates from DeafATW, so I can tell you if this happens.
Reconsideration advice: Some people have had some success with the reconsideration team in getting their support back. When they wrote the reconsideration request, instead of arguing why the AtW decision was wrong, they sent evidence with full information, explaining about their job and every day work in lots of detail, with a full diary. I can't say if this will help, but it might.
4th May 2015
Many Deaf people who work in deaf services (e.g. Social Worker in sensory impaired teams, Advice Workers for deaf people, people working in deaf schools, working in deaf mental health services) are now having a new problem with AtW, and having all of their support stopped. This is for a reason AtW call 'additionality'.
This word does not appear in the current AtW guidance, or in any other published information. It seems to mean something like this:
If the service provides support for Deaf people using BSL, and they employed a hearing person who couldn't sign, they would have to employ a BSL interpreter for that hearing person to work with their Deaf service users.
So, if they employ a Deaf person who can sign, and the Deaf person would need interpreting support for less hours than the hearing person who can't sign, then there is no 'additional' (extra) cost to the employer. So AtW won't provide any support to the Deaf person.
Deaf people and employers have tried to explain why this is wrong, including:
1) If they employed a hearing person, they would employ a hearing person who could sign, so they wouldn't need an interpreter.
2) The people they work with (e.g. in a sensory team) are mainly English users, not BSL users, and so a hearing person wouldn't need an interpreter, even if they can't sign.
If you have this problem, and the reconsideration team won't put back your support, complain straight away to the PHSO. (Contact me for advice).
There may be more news about additionality, but I won't know until later in May. So please make sure that you have signed up for updates from DeafATW, so I can tell you if this happens.
Reconsideration advice: Some people have had some success with the reconsideration team in getting their support back. When they wrote the reconsideration request, instead of arguing why the AtW decision was wrong, they sent evidence with full information, explaining about their job and every day work in lots of detail, with a full diary. I can't say if this will help, but it might.
Joint Report: Access to Long-term Unemployment – or Access to Work?
4th May 2015
The organisations below have written a short report on the Government’s Access to Work programme, why it is failing many disabled people, and what can be done so that disabled people can get into work, stay in work and thrive in work. You can download it here.
Action on Disability and Work UK (ADWUK), British Deaf Association (BDA), Disability Rights UK (DRUK), Essex Coalition of Disabled People (ECDP), GRAEAE, South East Network of Disabled People’s Organisations, SPECTRUM, Universal Inclusion / Fluidity.
The organisations below have written a short report on the Government’s Access to Work programme, why it is failing many disabled people, and what can be done so that disabled people can get into work, stay in work and thrive in work. You can download it here.
Action on Disability and Work UK (ADWUK), British Deaf Association (BDA), Disability Rights UK (DRUK), Essex Coalition of Disabled People (ECDP), GRAEAE, South East Network of Disabled People’s Organisations, SPECTRUM, Universal Inclusion / Fluidity.
Notes from meeting between BDA, NDCS, Signature and Action on Hearing Loss with AtW
23rd January 2015
Below is the summary of the the meeting between BDA, NDCS, Signature, and Action on Hearing Loss with AtW.
Leading deaf stakeholder organisations (BDA, NDCS, Signature and Action on Hearing Loss) continued their engagement with DWP this week, at a further meeting with Access to Work (AtW) Operations and DWP policy officials on Monday.
The meeting was an opportunity to discuss recent developments, including the Ministerial Statement and Work and Pensions Select Committee report, as well as returning to areas of discussion raised at the previous meeting in December 2014.
DWP officials updated on a number of operational changes which have already been implemented, or which are planned to take place in the short-term. These included:
The introduction of email contact was welcomed, although stakeholders highlighted that the requirement for initial contact with AtW to be by telephone still presented a barrier to access. Officials committed to look again at whether there is a way to avoid first contact with the scheme having to be by telephone.
Officials also informed stakeholders that there is a longer-term project planned to update the AtW guidance on a section by section basis, involving stakeholders, to make it clearer.
DWP officials informed stakeholders that consideration is being given to whether the language services framework agreement being developed by the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) will apply to support delivered through AtW. Stakeholders are providing feedback to CCS on the framework agreement. At the meeting, stakeholders challenged officials on a number of areas to consider should the framework be applied to AtW, including ensuring that it would provide quality and choice for customers. DWP will provide further information when it is available and stakeholders will continue the dialogue in relation to how DWP might make use of the framework.
The meeting also covered the issue of determining the correct levels of high intensity support, including the potential to pilot increasing personalisation. Stakeholders stressed the importance of avoiding any mechanism which might contribute to people being without adequate support in the workplace.
It was also agreed that stakeholder organisations will engage with the specialist deaf team that has been put in place by AtW Operations, to provide additional deaf awareness training and further information on the perspective of people with hearing loss in employment.
DWP officials confirmed that the Minister will respond to the Work and Pension Select Committee report in early March 2015.
Below is the summary of the the meeting between BDA, NDCS, Signature, and Action on Hearing Loss with AtW.
Leading deaf stakeholder organisations (BDA, NDCS, Signature and Action on Hearing Loss) continued their engagement with DWP this week, at a further meeting with Access to Work (AtW) Operations and DWP policy officials on Monday.
The meeting was an opportunity to discuss recent developments, including the Ministerial Statement and Work and Pensions Select Committee report, as well as returning to areas of discussion raised at the previous meeting in December 2014.
DWP officials updated on a number of operational changes which have already been implemented, or which are planned to take place in the short-term. These included:
- improving terminology so that ‘hearing impaired’ is no longer used;
- publication of scheme guidance;
- plans to develop and publish an ‘Introduction to AtW’ document, which will be available in BSL and EasyRead;
- roll out of email contact.
The introduction of email contact was welcomed, although stakeholders highlighted that the requirement for initial contact with AtW to be by telephone still presented a barrier to access. Officials committed to look again at whether there is a way to avoid first contact with the scheme having to be by telephone.
Officials also informed stakeholders that there is a longer-term project planned to update the AtW guidance on a section by section basis, involving stakeholders, to make it clearer.
DWP officials informed stakeholders that consideration is being given to whether the language services framework agreement being developed by the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) will apply to support delivered through AtW. Stakeholders are providing feedback to CCS on the framework agreement. At the meeting, stakeholders challenged officials on a number of areas to consider should the framework be applied to AtW, including ensuring that it would provide quality and choice for customers. DWP will provide further information when it is available and stakeholders will continue the dialogue in relation to how DWP might make use of the framework.
The meeting also covered the issue of determining the correct levels of high intensity support, including the potential to pilot increasing personalisation. Stakeholders stressed the importance of avoiding any mechanism which might contribute to people being without adequate support in the workplace.
It was also agreed that stakeholder organisations will engage with the specialist deaf team that has been put in place by AtW Operations, to provide additional deaf awareness training and further information on the perspective of people with hearing loss in employment.
DWP officials confirmed that the Minister will respond to the Work and Pension Select Committee report in early March 2015.
Proposed National Framework Agreement, and possible implications for AtW
Note - A National Framework agreement is not currently being considered for AtW.
15th January 2015
These notes are based on the meeting that NUBSLI had with AtW earlier this week. The full notes of the meeting are available to NUBSLI members.
In the discussion AtW said they are very interested in adopting the framework agreement for contracting interpreting services, and had some initial thoughts about how they think it might work. These included:
1) Deaf people will be expected to use interpreters supplied by the agencies who have won tenders to provide interpreters in their region.
2) If Deaf people wanted to use different interpreters they would need to make the case for not using one of the agency interpreters.
3) If Deaf people were allowed to use interpreters not supplied by the preferred agency, the maximum rate would be the winning tender equivalent rate per hour / day. (DeafATW comment - this would probably be the case even if agencies have tendered below freelance market rates).
4) At the meeting DWP said that they expect interpreters to work at a lower cost for block (i.e. regular) bookings. (DeafATW comment - for freelance interpreters, where a variety of work is available, block bookings don't bring a significant cost benefit. They do bring an administrative benefit to agencies though).
Whilst not discussed at the meeting, DeafATW has some other questions:
1) If the framework stipulates minimum requirements (registration and qualifications) for provision of interpreters, does that mean that AtW will no longer use CSWs who fall below these requirements.
2) Will succesful tenders be selected on the basis of cheapest tender? Or will they be required to demonstrate that their business model is viable, including that they will be able to book sufficient numbers of appropriately qualified and registered interpreters to meet Deaf people's needs?
3) Will it be possible for local / Deaf led agencies and interpreter co-operatives (etc.) to tender again the contract.
15th January 2015
These notes are based on the meeting that NUBSLI had with AtW earlier this week. The full notes of the meeting are available to NUBSLI members.
In the discussion AtW said they are very interested in adopting the framework agreement for contracting interpreting services, and had some initial thoughts about how they think it might work. These included:
1) Deaf people will be expected to use interpreters supplied by the agencies who have won tenders to provide interpreters in their region.
2) If Deaf people wanted to use different interpreters they would need to make the case for not using one of the agency interpreters.
3) If Deaf people were allowed to use interpreters not supplied by the preferred agency, the maximum rate would be the winning tender equivalent rate per hour / day. (DeafATW comment - this would probably be the case even if agencies have tendered below freelance market rates).
4) At the meeting DWP said that they expect interpreters to work at a lower cost for block (i.e. regular) bookings. (DeafATW comment - for freelance interpreters, where a variety of work is available, block bookings don't bring a significant cost benefit. They do bring an administrative benefit to agencies though).
Whilst not discussed at the meeting, DeafATW has some other questions:
1) If the framework stipulates minimum requirements (registration and qualifications) for provision of interpreters, does that mean that AtW will no longer use CSWs who fall below these requirements.
2) Will succesful tenders be selected on the basis of cheapest tender? Or will they be required to demonstrate that their business model is viable, including that they will be able to book sufficient numbers of appropriately qualified and registered interpreters to meet Deaf people's needs?
3) Will it be possible for local / Deaf led agencies and interpreter co-operatives (etc.) to tender again the contract.
Self-Employed Deaf AtW users being stopped AtW support (also read if you work for your own limited company)
This does not seem to be a problem for self-employed people with AtW at the moment. You can read the full post at the bottom of the Self-Employed section of DeafATW.
21 September 2014
Recently I have heard from a number of Self-Employed Deaf people who have been contacted by AtW telling them that they are not eligible for AtW support. They normally give one or two reasons:
1) Because you aren’t earning the minimum wage.
2) Because you aren’t making NI Class 2 and/or Class 4 contributions.
Some people have had their AtW support stopped, and at least one told they would need to repay the AtW support they had received.
It is strange that this is happening, because in the AtW Guidance on self-employment it seems clear that neither of these reasons are right.
... Read the full post at the bottom of the Self-Employed section of DeafATW.
21 September 2014
Recently I have heard from a number of Self-Employed Deaf people who have been contacted by AtW telling them that they are not eligible for AtW support. They normally give one or two reasons:
1) Because you aren’t earning the minimum wage.
2) Because you aren’t making NI Class 2 and/or Class 4 contributions.
Some people have had their AtW support stopped, and at least one told they would need to repay the AtW support they had received.
It is strange that this is happening, because in the AtW Guidance on self-employment it seems clear that neither of these reasons are right.
... Read the full post at the bottom of the Self-Employed section of DeafATW.
Timeline of changes to AtW 2013-14
13th January 2015
Problems with AtW provision started almost a year before the restructure in April 2014. Deaf, disabled people and interpreters started to talk to me and others about these problems in late summer/early autumn of 2013.
Whilst many of the current problems were not a result of the restructuring, it has made solving them harder. It has led to delays in casework, and has resulted in advisers being even further removed from those who need this service.
I have created a document that identifies key changes, dated by the first date I have seen email correspondence with AtW demonstrating the change.
Click here to download a copy of the DeafATW Timeline showing emergence of problems with AtW.
Note there is a version of this document which contains excerpts of emails to provide evidence. This version is only available for MPs etc. for confidentiality reasons. Please contact DeafATW if you would like to use this version for campaigning etc.
Problems with AtW provision started almost a year before the restructure in April 2014. Deaf, disabled people and interpreters started to talk to me and others about these problems in late summer/early autumn of 2013.
Whilst many of the current problems were not a result of the restructuring, it has made solving them harder. It has led to delays in casework, and has resulted in advisers being even further removed from those who need this service.
I have created a document that identifies key changes, dated by the first date I have seen email correspondence with AtW demonstrating the change.
Click here to download a copy of the DeafATW Timeline showing emergence of problems with AtW.
Note there is a version of this document which contains excerpts of emails to provide evidence. This version is only available for MPs etc. for confidentiality reasons. Please contact DeafATW if you would like to use this version for campaigning etc.
DWP agree to publish AtW Guidance
4 January 2015
The Department of Work and Pensions has agreed to publish their guidance on the Access to Work Scheme (AtW) after receiving a letter before claim from the law firm Leigh Day. The DWP have also confirmed that revised guidance is being produced and published, which they hope to commence by 30 March 2015. The Stop the Changes Campaign took this action.
This probably means that AtW will make the Guidance available online so anyone can access it. But this hasn't happened yet.
Click here for the full information.
The Department of Work and Pensions has agreed to publish their guidance on the Access to Work Scheme (AtW) after receiving a letter before claim from the law firm Leigh Day. The DWP have also confirmed that revised guidance is being produced and published, which they hope to commence by 30 March 2015. The Stop the Changes Campaign took this action.
This probably means that AtW will make the Guidance available online so anyone can access it. But this hasn't happened yet.
Click here for the full information.