DWP NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP TEAM LOCAL PARTNERSHIP Corinne Gregory Date: 30th October 2013

National Partnership Team: “Our Purpose is to Build Relationships with Partners” “This is more than simply delivering material to partners. Our goal is to build a relationship of trust and mutual respect with that partner. To support them to better help the customer access the whole range of DWP benefits and services, and promote “As One” working.”

Our 4 Teams Steve Lismore Lesley Suttling Ian Price John Kelsall Partnerships Information and Communications Non-partner facing Steve Lismore North East, Scotland and Stakeholders Partner facing Ian Price London and Home Counties, Wales, Southern and benefit issues Partner facing John Kelsall Central, North West and employment issues Partner facing Our current structure We moved to this structure in April 2013. We did this to; Get closer to Districts, Groups, and One Service Networks. Be better placed to meet the challenges of the Welfare Reforms. Make optimum use of our team resource. Staff Numbers The 3 team’s managed by John, Ian and Steve (Band F) are virtually equal in terms of headcount and proportionate in grades C to E. There are 40 to 50 staff on each of the 3 partner facing teams. The Partnerships Information and Communications team headcount is 8. Composition More detail on each of the work strands is contained shortly but as a brief overview. Each of the 3 partner facing teams will have; Partnership Managers - Local Delivery Partnership managers at a local level with a specialism in working with partners representing the most vulnerable in society. Partnership Managers - District Support and National Partner Management Partnership Managers working with Districts to support their work moving claimants in to or towards sustained employment. They also work with national partner organisations and have an account management style model (albeit comparatively light touch). DWP Operational Stakeholder Engagement Forum Steve Lismore manages the DWP Operational Stakeholder Engagement Forum (national) with 2 designated members of his own team. Partnerships Information and Communications A multitude of progressive partnerships related activities aligned to performance improvement. Specialisms Whilst Steve Lismore has responsibility for the DWP Operational Stakeholder Engagement Forum (national), you will see that Ian Price leads on benefit issues and John Kelsall leads on employment issues.

Our National Footprint & External Agenda We: Are a DWP National Partnership Team but with a local footprint Have 100 operatives across England, Scotland & Wales Take learning from local activity to develop a national consistent approach Have a clear remit for partner engagement; influencing & supporting the implementation of policy in gathering partnerships intelligence & good practice Assist in the critical development of & review of face to face services through Welfare Reforms Represent DWP at National events

Our Aim Is To: Identify & understand what your needs are to support your customers to access DWP benefits & services Provide support & awareness through changes as result of Welfare Reform Develop closer working relationships across DWP to provide a consistent offer to partners supporting vulnerable people and/or into work

What We Can Offer… Awareness/upskilling for partners of forthcoming Welfare Reform changes A route to signpost appropriate home visit referrals to DWP Visiting for the most vulnerable Assistance / be a conduit for feedback in escalating & resolving recurring process unit issues Assistance / conduit for feedback on DWP Policy issues If suitable, the facility to become an Alternative Office

What is an Alternative Office? Alternative Office (AO) is a DWP initiative (since 2003) whereby Regulations enable the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to designate partner organisations and named accredited individuals within to receive claims for specified benefits and verify supporting documents Original intention was (and still is) to improve customer service & channel choice

As One DWP NPT build on internal relationships with Jobcentre (JC) & Benefit Centre (BC) colleagues to join up & close gaps to ensure DWP provides a cohesive voice with our partners We aspire to do this through: Regular communications with relevant JC/BC people i.e. @ National, Group & District level Making all aware of our remit i.e. Liaison forums & Local Services Support Framework Agreeing responsibilities / reach plans with mutual partners on Welfare Reforms i.e. Via Projects to avoid confusion/duplication re DWP Services

It All Depends on How You See Things... opportunityisnowhere

The Challenging Bit… What If: We all aspire to the same dream to: Work better together, collaboratively to provide an excellent service to all our users NPT are striving to do this by building on both existing / new internal (DWP) & external partner relationships to achieve our respective performance goals

Updated: October 2013 Next update due: December 2013 DWP: Our Reform Story For more information contact: corporate.stakeholders@dwp.gsi.gov.uk Follow us: twitter.com/dwppressoffice facebook.com/DWP linkedin.com/company/dwp youtube.com/workandpensions 11

Overview The Reform Story We have to ensure that support continues to be available to those who need it most. Employment must be an aspiration for everyone who is able to work. “A system that was originally designed to support the poorest in society is now trapping them in the very condition it was supposed to alleviate” Iain Duncan-Smith, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 12

Social Justice What’s changing? The government published its strategy for Social Justice, Social Justice: Transforming Lives, in March 2012. Previous approaches to tackling poverty have focused on increasing income levels to bring people above the poverty line. The Social Justice Strategy goes much further. Social Justice principles will increasingly influence our overall direction, our policies, and the delivery of DWP services. In October 2012, we published the Social Justice Outcomes Framework. On 24 April 2013, the Government published Social Justice: transforming lives – one year on. The government published its strategy for Social Justice, Social Justice: Transforming Lives, in March 2012. Previous approaches to tackling poverty have focused on increasing income levels to bring people above the poverty line. The Social Justice Strategy goes much further, exploring how tackling the root causes of problems can make real and sustained changes to the lives of those facing multiple disadvantages. In October 2012, we published the Social Justice Outcomes Framework, outlining seven indicators or ‘yardsticks’ of success for the strategy. Social Justice principles will increasingly influence our overall direction, our policies, and the delivery of DWP services. On 24 April 2013, the Government published Social Justice: transforming lives – one year on, which highlights the progress made since the publication of the Strategy and against the seven indicators.

Support for Pensioners Welfare that works Employment Offer Universal Credit Support for Pensioners Employment Offer Housing Support Fraud and Error Pensions and Ageing Benefit Cap Appeals Reform Disability Social Fund

What’s changing? Pensions and Ageing Employers are now required by law to pay into a workplace pension for eligible workers. The proposed introduction of a simple state pension system will make it easier for people to know what they’ll get from the state in retirement. The new single-tier pension will be implemented from April 2016. The Default Retirement Age has been abolished. We are modifying Pension Credit to incorporate support for dependent children following the introduction of Universal Credit. Starting with the largest firms from October 2012, employers are now required by law to pay into a workplace pension for eligible workers. Those who save will benefit from contributions from their employer and tax relief from the Government. The proposed introduction of a simple state pension system will make it easier for people to know what they’ll get from the state in retirement. This will also help them plan ahead. In January 2013 we published a White Paper 'The single-tier pension: a simple foundation for saving‘, outlining proposals to reform the State Pension. The new single-tier pension will be implmented from April 2016. The Default Retirement Age has been abolished, meaning most people can now retire when the time is right for them. We are modifying Pension Credit to incorporate support for housing costs and dependent children following the introduction of Universal Credit. 15

What’s changing? Disability Access to Work support is being made more widely available and funding is being increased to deliver enhanced outcomes for disabled people. Dr Paul Litchfield has been commissioned to carry out the fourth review into the Work Capability Assessment (WCA). His report to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions will be laid before Parliament by the end of 2013. Access to Work support is being made more widely available and funding is being increased to deliver enhanced outcomes for disabled people. It is now almost five years since the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) was introduced. Since its introduction, three independent reviews into the WCA have been conducted by Professor Harrington. Dr Paul Litchfield has been commissioned to carry out the fourth review of the WCA. His report to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions will be laid before Parliament by the end of 2013. 16

What’s changing? Appeals Reform Appeals Reform Following receipt of a decision, anyone wishing to dispute that decision will have to request that DWP conducts a mandatory reconsideration before being allowed to lodge an appeal. Those wishing to dispute a decision following a mandatory reconsideration must send appeals direct to Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS). DWP has agreed to the request of the Tribunal Procedure Committee to introduce time limits for DWP to return appeal responses to HMCTS. DWP has undertaken to provide an appeal response within 28 calendar days in benefits cases, and within 42 calendar days in child maintenance cases and will begin to report against these time limits from October 2014. Those wishing to dispute a DWP decision will need to be aware of three key changes DWP is making to the appeals process: Following receipt of a decision, those wishing to dispute that decision will have to request that DWP conducts a mandatory reconsideration before being allowed to lodge an appeal. Resolving any disputes before appeal will help ensure that the correct decision is reached earlier. In order that DWP can make the correct decision as early as possible, it is important that all relevant information is sent to DWP as soon as possible. Those wishing to dispute a decision following a mandatory reconsideration must send appeals direct to Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS). DWP has agreed to the request of the Tribunal Procedure Committee to introduce time limits for DWP to return appeal responses to HMCTS. DWP has undertaken to provide an appeal response within 28 calendar days in benefits cases, and within 42 calendar days in child maintenance cases. DWP will begin to report against these time limits from October 2014.

April 2013 Reform Timeline Localised Support for Council Tax introduced. Universal Credit Pathfinder went live. Appeals reforms introduced for Personal Independence Payment and Universal Credit. Controlled start for New Claims to Personal Independence Payment for those living in the North West and parts of the North East of England. Short Term Benefit Advances introduced. April 2013 Benefit cap came into force for new and existing claimants in Bromley, Croydon, Enfield and Haringey local authorities. Most employers now required to send PAYE returns in real time. Community Care Loans and Crisis Grants abolished and new Local Welfare Provision introduced. Removal of the spare room subsidy came into force.

May - September 2013 Reform Timeline Summer 2013 The first Work Programme claimants finish their 2 years with providers. September 2013 Results from consultation on mobility component of PIP published. July 2013 Benefit cap implemented in all other local authorities (between 15 July and end of September 2013). Publication of Fulfilling Potential: Making it Happen, setting out the cross-government disability action plan, outcomes and indicators. June 2013 New claims for PIP introduced nationally.

All employers will be routinely reporting PAYE in real time. October 2013 Reform Timeline All employers will be routinely reporting PAYE in real time. Universal Credit progressive rollout begins, with a further six Jobcentres across the regions/countries - Hammersmith, Rugby, Inverness, Harrogate, Bath and Shotton, taking claims. Temporary Accommodation in Universal Credit will have housing costs met in line with Local Housing Allowance rates. An additional management element will be paid as a national flat rate to local authorities. October 2013 Reassessment of existing Disability Living Allowance claims for Personal Independence Payment begins for those that report a change in condition or reach the end of an existing award. Appeals reforms introduced for all other DWP-administered benefits and child maintenance cases.

December 2013 - 2017 Reform Timeline Early 2014 Publication of final report on Local Housing allowance monitoring and evaluation research. October 2015 Reassessment of remaining Disability Living Allowance caseload for Personal Independence Payment begins. October 2014 Changes to Pension Credit for Child Addition and mixed age couples come into effect. 2017 Every eligible person claiming Universal Credit by 2017. Late 2013 Publication of Litchfield review into Work Capability Assessment. April 2014 Automatic enrolment begins for medium employers. Local Housing Allowance uprating limited to 1% June 2015 Automatic enrolment begins for small employers. April 2016 The new single tier pension will be implemented from April 2016. .

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