mind.org.uk

Mind’s Work on the WCA

Tom PollardSenior Policy and Campaigns Officer

Mind is the leading mental health charity in

England and Wales

We have been campaigning for better mental health for

all, for over 60 years

We have a network of 160 independent local Minds

providing local services

Our vision: we won’t give up until everyone experiencing

a mental health problem gets both support and respect

Our approach

-Engaging with Independent Review

-Proposing descriptors and the EBR

-Supporting a legal challenge

-Looking for fundamental reform

The Independent Review

The review has called for:

•Improved communications

•Greater role for Decision Maker

•More additional evidence

•Mental Function Champions

•Audio recording

•Reviewing the descriptors

The Independent ReviewHowever:

•We’re not seeing evidence of real improvements

•Welfare rights advisers are saying the same thing

And we still want to see:

•Expert assessors for mental health

•Evidence collected in every case

•Less frequent reassessment

•Atos properly held to account

Descriptors: ‘Evidence Based Review’•Professor Harrington asked us to work with Mencap and NAS to ‘suggest improvements to the current descriptors

•Our proposals looked to expand the current descriptors to take better account of fluctuation and variability

•The DWP claimed our proposals were too radical and not backed up by sufficient evidence

•Harrington pressed DWP to test proposals to establish evidence base for current and new descriptors

•Testing process set to start in January 2013

Supporting a legal challenge

•Two individuals are taking a Judicial Review about the WCA

•The case is arguing that, because of particular problems faced by people with mental health problems, learning disabilities and autism, there should be a reasonable adjustment to ensure additional evidence is collected

•Mind, Rethink Mental Illness and NAS agree that this adjustment would make the process fairer and more accurate for people we represent

•We will be providing evidence to the court to demonstrate that this is currently a problem

Looking for fundamental reform

•A more holistic assessment of someone’s condition, circumstances and barriers which helps inform the type of support they should have access to

•A shift in focus from conditionality and sanctions to genuinely personalised and understanding back-to-work support for people with mental health problems

•A system which supports individual ambitions and aspirations and recognises that ‘good work’ is good for mental health rather than just any work

To find out more:

mind.org.uk/campaigns for more information

on our work on benefits

mind.org.uk for general information

Contact: t.pollard@mind.org.uk

0208 215 2275