Recent Stakeholder Activity

A New Partnership Agreement

We have entered into a Partnership Agreement with Citizens Advice. This represents a commitment by both organisations to develop a jointly agreed plan for improving links, communication and good practice.  We hope this will give added impetus to the improving links and we expect to be able to use what we learn to help us work better with other organisations too.

Recently Asked Questions, and issues covered at Customer Representative Forum

Question - A local organisation that works with disabled people, wanted to work with Jobcentre Plus

Answer - Details of the external relations manager passed on to them.

Question - Confirmation requested of the components in a Better off Calculation by a national adviser association.

Answer - Referred to central team developing the Better off Calculations for a full explanation

Question - Request from Carers UK to set up links with Jobcentre Plus in a local area

Answer - Details of the external relations manager passed on to them.

Question – Implicit consent

Answer – A copy of the Working with Representatives guidance was sent to the organisation, and reminder to the jobcentre staff in the area in question on working with representatives was issued via a manager

Question – Social Fund claims by telephone only, why do customers have to be seen face to face, often having to travel to these appointments when they are in great need?

Answer – The contact from the organisation that raised this query was referred to social fund policy unit to discuss their concerns.

Recent CRG issues

Members raised concerns about 16/17 year olds and accessing Jobcentre Plus services.  Jobcentre Plus acted on this, and as a result guidance has been re-written and distributed, and new Learning & Development products are being created to help raise staff awareness on this issue.

A presentation was given to CRG on new services for lone parents, making them aware of future changes, so in turn they could raise awareness with their staff.

For a copy of the minutes from past CRG, please e-mail JCP stakeholder team