Member Article

Incapacity claimant numbers highest in North East

The North East has the highest rate of incapacity benefit claimants in England, a new report by the Chief Medical Officer reveals. Last year’s Annual Report, On the State of Public Health described how public health teams could help get those people back into employment. Although the North East is still achieving a national high in incapacity claimant numbers, action is already being taken across the region to address this situation. Easington Primary Care Trust has launched Aim High Routeback, the first of three pilots that will test new approaches to involving employers and the voluntary sector in the Jobcentre Plus Pathways to Work programme. Potential candidates first attend an assessment to establish the severity of their health problems and their job goals. Those who are suitable are then offered individually tailored support to find employment. Over 80 people have joined the project and more than 20 have now found jobs or training placements. Following this success, the regional development agency awarded Aim High Routeback £1.6 million funding support for the next two years. Two other pilots are planned for Sunderland and Middlesbrough.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .