Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what facilities jobcentres offer to deaf people who arrive to make enquiries (a) with and (b) without an appointment; and how many front line jobcentre staff have qualifications in British Sign Language.
Stephen Timms (Minister of State (Employment and Welfare Reform), Department for Work and Pensions; East Ham, Labour)
The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide my hon. Friend with the information requested.Letter from Lesley Strathie, dated 22 July 2008:
The Secretary of State has asked Lesley Strathie to reply to your question asking what facilities Jobcentres offer to deaf people who arrive to make enquiries (a) with and (b) without an appointment; and how many front line jobcentre staff have qualifications in British Sign Language. I am replying on behalf of Lesley Strathie as acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
Within Jobcentre Plus we recognise the diverse range of customers we serve and we are fully committed to providing equally accessible and available services to all customers.
Customers who are hearing impaired can obtain support from Jobcentre Plus in the following ways:
if a customer is able to use a hearing loop, we provide integrated and portable hearing loop facilities in each Jobcentre;
where customers prefer to have a qualified British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter present, the Jobcentre will arrange for an external interpreter to be present at the interview. We currently have four contracted providers that provide BSL interpreters nationally, or staff can use local qualified interpreters, lip speakers, or deaf blind interpreters; or
alternatively, customers can choose to bring friends, relatives or intermediaries to act as interpreting agents for them. If a customer provides their own professional qualified interpreter they can be reimbursed with reasonable costs.
We do not hold a central national database of staff who are qualified in BSL and this information could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
Jobcentre Plus is committed to providing a first class service and ensuring we fully support all our customers.
Source:
Hansard
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Comments (2)
In Mr Corbyn's area of Islington, Jobcentre Plus contract in a company called Work Directions to support people on incapacity benefit, DLA, SDA, IS or HB (Not JSA) into work.
Work Directions have subcontracted Dering Employment Services www.dering.biz to work with deaf, hard of hearing and deaf/blind people into work. Their advisor, Graham Beckwith (deaf, BSL user) is based at Lighterman House, 26 Wharfdale Road, London, N1 9RY (near Kings Cross)
Posted by Stephen | August 17, 2008 8:58 AM
Jobcentre plus are as useful as a wet toilet roll.
Posted by Tim | August 23, 2008 11:36 AM