This briefing document provides background information about the Work Capability Assessment. It provides background information about the assessment and an overview of ERSA’s key lobbying priorities.
This paper has been developed by the Employment Related Services Association (ERSA), the representative body for the employability sector, in response to the Fifth Independent Review into the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) being carried out by Dr Litchfield and his team.
ERSA believes that if implemented the recommendations included within this paper will improve the delivery of the WCA and facilitate more joined up support to ESA customers following the assessment. In particular ERSA would like to emphasise the importance of an assessment being delivered, that is, for the vast majority of customers, right the first time and, for those who do then appeal, that their needs are appropriately catered for during what is likely to be a difficult and stressful time. In addition ERSA believes there would be a real benefit to the customer through implementing the Harrington recommendation to share the WCA with employment support providers.