Employment: Mental Health Services
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of regional disparities in access to Support Conversations.
Answered by Sir Stephen Timms
Support Conversations were initially introduced in 6 Jobcentres across England and Scotland: Bournemouth, Leicester (Wellington Street), Shettleston launched on 29 September, followed by Preston, Thornaby and Lancaster on 1 December.
As of 22 June, Support Conversations are being expanded to an additional 21 Jobcentres across Great Britain, with 6 further sites due to be confirmed shortly. In addition to the existing sites, Support Conversations are now also available in the following Jobcentres: Blaydon, Glenrothes, Leicester (Charles Street), North Shields, South Shields, Southend, Sparkhill, Springburn, Sunderland, Whitehaven, Aberdare, Berwick Upon Tweed, Didsbury, Grimsby, Hoxton, Leeds Park Place, Northwich, Rusholme, Saltcoats, WesterHailes and Workington.
All Jobcentres have been selected taking into account local capacity and any existing testing commitments. The Department will consider whether or not to expand this provision once the outcomes of testing are clearer course.
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