**Engagement Innovation Unit Proposal for DWP to Improve Support for People with Disabilities and Poor Health**
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is considering establishing an Engagement Innovation Unit to test and learn new approaches to engage with individuals who are currently exempt from conditionality due to disabilities and poor health. With only 4% of individuals in this group moving into work each year, there is a clear need for innovative strategies to improve outcomes and encourage voluntary engagement with employment support.
The proposed unit would operate with agility and independence, bypassing traditional DWP procedures to quickly identify effective ways to support individuals in accessing employment support. By focusing on voluntary engagement rather than tightening eligibility criteria, the unit aims to demonstrate the potential for increased job outcomes without resorting to conditionality.
In the short term, the unit could help alleviate pressure to tighten eligibility for the Work Capability Assessment by showcasing the benefits of voluntary engagement. In the medium term, the approach could inform devolved delivery of employment support for a wider cohort of individuals, including parents of young children and carers. Ultimately, the goal is to improve practice and outcomes for all individuals supported by DWP.
**FAQs**
1. **What is the Engagement Innovation Unit proposed by DWP?**
The Engagement Innovation Unit is a proposed initiative within the Department for Work and Pensions to test and learn new approaches to engage with individuals exempt from conditionality due to disabilities and poor health.
2. **Why is voluntary engagement important for individuals with disabilities and poor health?**
Voluntary engagement offers a path to more rapid and significant results in terms of improving job outcomes without resorting to stricter conditionality measures.
3. **How will the unit operate differently from traditional DWP procedures?**
The unit will operate with agility and independence, allowing it to quickly establish effective ways to encourage engagement with employment support without being hindered by existing norms and procedures.
**Conclusion**
The proposal for an Engagement Innovation Unit within the DWP highlights the importance of taking a rapid test and learn approach to engage with individuals out of work due to disabilities and poor health. By focusing on voluntary engagement and avoiding stricter conditionality measures, the unit aims to improve outcomes for this group and inform future delivery of employment support. With a collaborative and innovative approach, the DWP can work towards fostering engagement as the primary objective, ultimately improving practice and outcomes for all individuals supported by the department.