Guidance

Provider memo 34: Potential Self-Referrals from Specialist Employability Support (SES)

Updated 4 April 2024

This memo is for Work and Health Programme (WHP) providers.

1. Background

Providers will be aware that the WHP programme design has been adapted to take into account a number of temporary measures necessitated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic including the introduction of Provider Self-Referrals.

Some WHP providers will also be aware that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) SES programme contracts are now drawing to a close. This note is to inform you that a small number of SES participants may, upon leaving SES, wish to volunteer for the WHP programme.

WHP eligibility and suitability are unchanged. SES providers will offer all their participants an exit interview to ensure each participant is provided with suitable ongoing support. If WHP appears to be the best option, and the individual wishes to volunteer, SES providers will contact your nominated Self-Referrals Specialist Point of Contact (SPoC) to introduce them to you.

WHP providers will then proceed as for all Self-Referrals as set out in WHP Self-Referral Provider Guidance (CV-04 version).

SES providers will only ‘signpost’ their participant, you are responsible for determining WHP programme eligibility and suitability in the case of all Self-Referrals.

Please note: some WHP providers also have SES contracts. Even if the customer is moving from your SES provision to your WHP provision, the Self-Referral process must be followed in full.

SES Leavers who left the programme as a result of early termination, for instance whose exit date in Provider Referrals and Payments (PRaP) is on or after 3 August 2020 will not be included in your monthly Self-Referral allocation.

2. Action

In order to ensure that these SES Leavers do not count towards your monthly Self-Referral allocation you should clearly mark the WHP Self-Referral form ‘SES’ in Part 5, the Business case, and note the PRaP exit date. You may need to request this information from the SES provider.

3. Further information and contact details

If you have any queries about this Live Running Memo please consult your Performance Manager in the first instance.

If your enquiry is of a commercial nature, or if you have any queries or concerns regarding Contract Variations or Letters of Change, please direct them to the Commercial Directorate email inbox: employmentcategory.covid19@dwp.gov.uk.

If your enquiry is specifically in connection with these temporary alterations to WHP Provider Guidance, please contact the WHP Policy Team: whp.enquiries@dwp.gov.uk.