Work Capabilty Assessment Update (2nd August 2010)

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has asked Professor Malcolm Harrington CBE to undertake an independent review of the Work Capability Assessment (WCA). This is an important part of the Employment and Support Allowance claim process, designed to determine which claimants are capable of undertaking work, or work-related activity. His aim is to review the current workings of the assessment, and make recommendations on the future development and efficacy of the WCA.

As part of this process, he has launched a call for evidence to gather information from a wide variety of stakeholders on the WCA. Please contribute.

The call for evidence and can be found at: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/consultations/

The closing date for the call for evidence is 27 August 2010

Equality Act Update (13th July 2010)

The initial date that was set out by the previous Labour Government for the roll-out of the Equality Act was October 2010. In preparation, ACAS has produced a guide for employers, breaking down some key points and helping you to prepare for its introduction.

Click Here to view the ACAS guide.

Employment Update (7th July 2010)

There has been a growing concern over the government's suggestion of further medical assessments of those who are claiming DLA (Disability Living Allowance). MDF is paying very close attention to this situation and have raised your concerns with a partner in the legal profession.

This has resulted in the submission of an Early Day Motion. For more information on EDM's please click here.

The EDM has now been presented to the Clerk of the House of Commons by Kate Hoey MP and was produced by Ashleah Skinner A.Inst.Pa. This EDM can be found here (click here) and we urge MDF members who are concerned to contact their local MP to support this motion.

About the Employment Service

For information on our employment service please contact Simon Ward on 01270 230260 or email sward@mdf.org.uk

The main aims of the employment project are:

  • To identify people affected by bipolar disorder who are at risk of losing employment and help then retain employment.
  • To support those people currently claiming Incapacity Benefit who want to return to either paid or voluntary work.
  • Establish ways of breaking down the stigma attached to bipolar in the work place by educating employers.

If you have questions about employment issues please click here

Are you currently on or about to begin the Department of Work and Pensions Pathways to Work programme?

If so, please contact the MDF Employment Service so we can provide you with any additional support you might need in helping the pathways to work provider understand Bipolar.

The employment project is also able to offer bespoke awareness training for employers. These are some of the comments we have received from training we have delivered:

"This was the most interesting & the fastest 2 hours training I have attended in a long time."

"This is the most informative and useful training I have ever had".

New Employment Guides!

After an increase in demand for both employee and employer support we are pleased to launch two brand-new Employment guides. MDF has produced the two guides, one for the employer and one for the employee. The guides cover a range of topics:

  • Bipolar in the workplace
  • Bipolar disorder and mental health
  • Access to work
  • Myths about mental health
  • Work place adjustments
  • Self management
  • What employers should be offering
  • Returning to work
  • Relevant case law

To order a copy of either of the guides please contact the Midlands and North of England Office on 01270 230 260 / 08454 349 970 or email sward@mdf.org.uk The guides are free to MDF members, non MDF members are kindly asked to donate £1.50 per booklet in order to cover printing and post costs.

Comments about the service

"At the beginning of the year, I found myself of sick from work for 3 months with BiPolar illness. Having never had time of before and just been diagnosed with a serious mental health illness, not knowing what the future held for me and my family, I was so very scared and anxious.   After contacting the MDF organisation, bearing in mind I was not even a member at this time, the kind, reassuring, non judgemental advice and information I received was priceless, particularly from the employment team.  The team helped me regain focus, provided continuity of care with regular emails and telephone calls, resulting in my confidence being restored and being able to go back to work and continue doing the job I have been doing for 10 years and love so very much.

Thank you.........."

Useful contact details:

ACAS: An excellent free service specialising in employment disputes.
Telephone 08457 47 47 47

The Disability Discrimination Act: The Equality and Human Rights Commission:
www.equalityhumanrights.com
Telephone 0845 604 6610

Employment Tribunals: www.employmenttribunals.gov.uk
Telephone 0845 795 9775

Routes back into employment: www.direct.gov.uk  and search under 'Pathways to Work'