05/10/11: We were proud to host a meeting at our head office on Monday 26th September 2011.
It was about the Access to Work recommendations in the recent report by Liz Sayce on specialist disability employment programmes: "Getting in, staying in and getting on."
The event was run by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) who are currently consulting on the recommendations in the Sayce Report. This meeting gave people a chance to talk to DWP representatives about the Access to Work recommendations, and to exchange views and information
The Access to Work recommendations include:
- Access to Work should be transformed from being the best kept secret in Government to being a recognised passport to successful employment, doubling the number of people helped. Government should improve equity of access, use innovation to create efficiencies, remove unnecessary waste and mobilise the power of peer support.
The Department should increase employer confidence in employing people with fluctuating conditions by making Access to Work available to part-fund temporary cover for an employee of a small business who is off sick for a significant period of time. Funding might only be available for smaller employers, for prolonged condition-related absences. Individuals should be able to draw down support when required. 
- The Department should ensure Access to Work awards are transferable from one employer to another. Reassessments should be avoided unless necessary, and should take place only if requested by the disabled person or the type of work changes significantly.
58 people attended the event to discuss the recommendations from the Sayce Report. They included representatives from disabled people's organisations, employers and individual disabled people.
Stephen Lismore of the DWP (pictured here on the left) was leading the consultation and chaired the event. He said "It was great to see so many people attending the event and contributing their views on how Access to Work could be developed. Many of these were disabled people themselves, holding down responsible jobs thanks to the support AtW is providing, but with good ideas on how it could be made even better. I know that many of those attending will also respond directly to the consultation. All of these views will be considered carefully and will influence the future development of the programme so it can help even more disabled people lead successful and fulfilling lives"
Comments from delegates attending the event:
"Very good informative event"
"Thank you for the opportunity"
"Good to see DWP out and about amongst users in the North West"
"Very valuable"
