On 5th July 2019 HR Managers and business leaders from across Adur and Worthing met with Tim Loughton MP and the DWP at the Experience Centre, Ecshmann House, to hear all about the benefits provided by Universal Credit, Apprenticeship Support, Mentoring Circles, Access to Work and Disability Confident.
This free session was organised by Lancing Business Park BID in partnership with the Worthing & Adur Chamber of Commerce and we would like to thank Philip Kennedy, Managing Director of Eschmann Technologies Ltd, for donating their wonderful conferencing facility and hosting this event.
Emma Wareham, DWP County Partnership Manager and her Team provided an enjoyable and informative session, explaining how Universal Credit is really flexible, enabling employees to work more than 16 hours a week and still claim, as well as adjusting benefits to help the self-employed and those who work less during school holidays.
Universal Credit also provides 85% of Childcare costs to enable parents to return to work and a benefits calculator so that employees can check first-hand how increasing their working hours, will increase their income as benefits will be adjusted monthly to support their earnings.
The session also provided information on additional benefits available to support Apprentices on a Care Plan and opportunities for employers to donate 6 hours (over 3 weeks) to help mentor young people back into work.
Attendees were also very pleased to hear that the Access to Work Scheme provides up to £52,900 per employee per year, to provide support, advice, equipment and adjustments, to aid those with a health condition or disability to access work.
Disability Confident is a new government scheme which has been launched to support employers make the most of the skills and talents that people with a disability, or long term health condition can bring to the workplace. This is a simple and achievable accreditation scheme that will help employers promote their positive approach to recruitment.
This seminar provided useful contacts, support information and lots of food for thought.
Please click here to view the presentation slides for further information and contact details.
