DWP policy impact assessment
20 items
2 sources
Failure of DWP to adequately analyze the potential impacts, including health implications, of new policies on vulnerable claimants.
Cross-Source Insight
DWP policy impact assessment has been flagged across 2 independent accountability sources:
11 inquiry recs
9 PFD reports
This issue has been identified by multiple independent accountability bodies, suggesting it is a recurring systemic concern.
Inquiry Recommendations (11)
27 — Action plan to address staff desensitisation and secondary trauma
Recommendation: Contractors operating immigration removal centres must develop and implement an action plan to ensure a safe and healthy staff culture in immigration removal centres. The action plan must address: the identification of and response to any sign of desensitisation among …
Gov response: The government described the introduction of a code of conduct and a mandatory staff engagement strategy. The ITC review addresses staff wellbeing and secondary trauma awareness.
Accepted in Part
Delivered
28 — Address barriers to detainee complaints including fear of repercussions
Recommendation: The Home Office and its contractors operating immigration removal centres must take steps to identify and address the barriers to making complaints that are faced by detained people, including a fear of repercussions. This must include training for staff on …
Gov response: A comprehensive review of complaints processes is underway, including engagement with detainees, IMB and the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman. Detention Services Orders are to be updated on completion.
Accepted in Part
Delivered
29 — Improve Professional Standards Unit investigation procedures and training
Recommendation: The Home Office must update Detention Services Order 03/2015: Handling of Complaints to clarify that, in investigations carried out by the Professional Standards Unit into allegations of serious misconduct against contractor staff: Professional Standards Unit investigators must carry out interviews …
Gov response: The Professional Standards Unit has updated its training to reflect Brook House Inquiry findings, including training in interviewing vulnerable witnesses. An embedded use of force expert has been added.
Accepted in Part
Delivered
30 — Enhance Professional Standards Unit independence and seniority
Recommendation: The Home Office must: take steps to enhance the independence of the Professional Standards Unit from the Home Office and the perception of this independence; and increase the seniority of the Head of the Professional Standards Unit so that they …
Gov response: The government does not accept this recommendation. The government stated: 'The seniority of the Head of the PSU will not be changed.' The government expressed confidence in existing ACAS Code compliance and PPO escalation routes.
Not Accepted
31 — Update whistleblowing DSO with anonymous reporting mechanisms
Recommendation: The Home Office must update Detention Services Order 03/2020: Whistleblowing – The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 to require contractors that run immigration removal centres to: have a whistleblowing policy and procedure that is specific to the immigration detention environment; …
Gov response: The broader complaints and whistleblowing review covers whistleblowing processes, including review of Detention Services Orders and improving visibility of processes within IRCs.
Accepted in Part
No update 2+ yrs
32 — Strengthen Independent Monitoring Board statutory footing and responsiveness
Recommendation: The government must: respond to and publish responses to all concerns raised by any Independent Monitoring Board regarding immigration removal centres; take steps without further delay to amend the Detention Centre Rules 2001, in so far as they govern Independent …
Gov response: The Ministry of Justice has committed in the 2021 Prisons Strategy White Paper to pursue legislative reform to provide Independent Monitoring Boards with a statutory framework, intending to legislate 'as soon as Parliamentary time allows'.
Accepted in Part
No update 2+ yrs
33 — Improve HMIP and IMB evidence gathering and reporting processes
Recommendation: HM Inspectorate of Prisons and Independent Monitoring Boards working within immigration removal centres must ensure that they have robust processes for: obtaining and reporting on an enhanced range of evidence and intelligence from detained people and those who represent or …
Gov response: The government stated it is considering its reliance on external scrutiny organisations. This recommendation was directed primarily at HMIP and IMBs.
Accepted in Part
No update 2+ yrs
94 — CICA unspent convictions rule reform
Recommendation: The Chair and Panel recommend that the Ministry of Justice revises Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority rules, so that awards are not automatically rejected in circumstances where an applicant's criminal convictions are likely to be linked to their child sexual abuse. …
Gov response: The Government will consider how the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme can better serve victims of violent crime including child sexual abuse. The terms of reference for the review have been published, which will examine whether …
Not Accepted
96 — CICA same roof rule reapplication
Recommendation: The Chair and Panel recommend that the Ministry of Justice revises the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority rules so that all applicants who previously applied for compensation in relation to child sexual abuse - but were refused solely due to the …
Gov response: On 22 July 2019, the UK government confirmed that the 'same roof' rule had been removed. The amended Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme provides for past claimants refused under the rule, whether or not that was …
Accepted
Delivered
36 — Impact assessment of policy changes
Recommendation: The cumulative impact of new policies and processes, particularly the perceived pressure to achieve Foundation Trust status, together with organisational reconfiguration, placed significant pressure on the management capacity of the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust to deliver …
Gov response: 97. We accept this recommendation in principle. We acknowledge the Investigation’s findings that the pursuit of Foundation Trust status distorted management capacity and priorities at Morecambe Bay. 98. In response to the failings at both …
Accepted
LAMI-3 — Establish National Agency to assess, advise, and monitor children and families policy
Recommendation: The newly established National Agency for Children and Families should have the following responsibilities: • to assess, and advise the ministerial Children and Families Board about, the impact on children and families of proposed changes in policy; • to scrutinise …
Unknown
PFD Reports (9)
Tamara Logan
Concerns: An incorrect benefits assessment, uncorrected by review, significantly impacted the deceased. Additionally, standard letters were sent despite recognised vulnerabilities, without attempting to reduce associated risks.
Overdue
Leonardo Machado
Concerns: Insufficient oversight of 'rental' food delivery licenses to underage individuals places children in vulnerable lone working situations, increasing their risk of road traffic collisions and harm.
Response: The HSE acknowledges the issues, clarifies that road traffic accidents are primarily for Police, and highlights ongoing government-industry efforts to tighten controls on delivery permits and the upcoming Employment Rights …
Overdue
Kenton Beasley
Concerns: A protracted and frustrating DVLA licence renewal process, characterized by communication failures, incorrect information, and lack of vulnerable customer support, significantly exacerbated the deceased's poor mental state and prevented employment.
Responded
Richard Brookes
Concerns: DWP systems failed to properly assess and safeguard a vulnerable adult receiving a large arrears payment, resulting in a lack of clear communication and exacerbating the patient's paranoia about the money.
Responded
Kevin Gale
Concerns: DWP procedures, including lengthy forms, long phone queues, and travel requirements, are impractical and exacerbate symptoms for individuals with mental health illnesses.
Responded
Terence Talbot
Concerns: Inadequate clinical assessments, including mental capacity and specialist dermatology review, combined with insufficient nutritional care, and a rigid DWP policy requiring a critically ill inpatient to attend in person for benefits.
Responded
Philippa Day
Concerns: DWP call handlers lacked training for mentally ill claimants, and brief, inaccurate call records hindered decision-making. The assessment process was inflexible, preventing correction of errors or flexible appointment management.
Responded
Zane Gbangbola
Concerns: Inadequate and misleading safety guidance for internal combustion engine equipment used in confined spaces, coupled with the misleading use of the HSE logo, increases the risk of harm.
Overdue
Michael O’Sullivan
Concerns: The DWP assessment process for fitness to work failed to incorporate vital medical information from the patient's treating GP, psychiatrist, and clinical psychologist, leading to decisions without comprehensive medical input.
Response: DWP will issue a reminder to staff about the guidance for requesting further medical evidence in cases where claimants report suicidal ideation. They will also continue to monitor their policies …
Responded