Government Introduces Work Choice for Disabled Jobseekers

Maria Miller, the Minister for Disabled People

The Coalition Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting disabled people into work with the development of a new support programme.

Currently called Work Choice, the new scheme will be introduced from 25 October 2010 and sit alongside the Work Programme. The aim is to ensure that people who face the most complex and long-term barriers to employment will receive the support they need, including in the workplace.

The Minister for Disabled People, Maria Miller, said: “Nearly half of all disabled people work and many more want to work but have not had the right support. Work Choice will provide that support for more severely disabled people who want to move into employment. It will replace the existing confusing array of DWP specialist disability employment provision (WORKSTEP, Work Preparation and the Job Introduction Scheme) across England, Scotland and Wales.

“In the past, provision has been patchy with a fragmented network of providers,” she added. “Work Choice will simplify the current overlapping set of programmes and will reduce the number of provider contracts from more than 200 to just 28.

“Work Choice has been developed in close consultation with providers, disability groups and disabled people and has widespread support,” she added. “Work has been ongoing since the Coalition Government took office to ensure continuity of support. We are making this announcement now to ensure that all providers are able to prepare fully to deliver the programme from October.”

More: www.dwp.gov.uk