Patsy McGlone 21st June 2012

Written Answer from the Minister for Social Development

Training on Mental Health Descriptors

Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for Social Development to detail the training given on mental health descriptors for people carrying out Work Capability Assessments for Employment and Support Allowance, and in particular, the training relating to agoraphobia and other phobic conditions.

(AQW 12728/11-15)

Minister for Social Development:  Healthcare Professionals carrying out Work Capability Assessments receive mental health training relating to the mental health descriptors as part of their initial training programme. This includes specific training relating to agoraphobia and other phobic conditions.

A yearly training needs analysis is undertaken by Atos Healthcare who are contracted to undertake the Work Capability Assessment, and this is approved by the Social Security Agency. This informs the development of a professional development programme, which for 2012/2013 includes ongoing mental health training for Health Care Professionals.

Mental Health Champions are in place to support mental health training and provide appropriate advice. Part of their role is to provide specialist mental health training to the Health Care Professionals employed to undertake Work Capability Assessments.

ENDS