The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is to bring in additional providers to carry out Work Capability Assessments (WCA), following a substandard Atos audit
In April/May 2013 the DWP carried out an audit of around 400 reports following concerns raised from a previous smaller audit. The quality of the assessment reports produced by Atos graded A-C. The audit found that the number of C-grade reports was around 41% between October 2012 and March 2013.
This change in approach for contracting providers to carry out the assessments to be delivered on a regional basis is likely to be fully operational from summer 2014.
In addition
- The Minister has already directed Atos Healthcare to put in place a quality improvement plan following the DWP audit.
- Other measures include retraining and re-evaluating all Atos healthcare professionals, with those not meeting the required standard continuing to have all of their work audited until they do, or have their approval to carry out assessments withdrawn by the department.
- The DWP has also engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers to provide independent advice in relation to strengthening quality assurance processes across all its health and disability assessments. Atos Healthcare have also brought in a third party to assess the quality of their audit and make recommendations for improvements.
For more information see https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hoban-taking-action-to-improve-the-work-capability-assessment
For advice on appealing a WCA assessment decision seeFactsheet F36 - appeals and mandatory reconsideration.
For more about the assessment see Factsheet F31 - employment and support allowance.