The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced a major internal overhaul, creating a dedicated safeguarding team in response to severe criticism from a cross-party group of MPs.
MPs Demand 'Deep Rooted Culture Change'
This drastic move comes directly after the Work and Pensions Select Committee published a report accusing the DWP of being "deficient" in its handling of vulnerable clients. The committee did not mince words, calling for a fundamental and "deep rooted culture change" within the entire department to better protect those at risk.
Facing this stark assessment, the DWP has been forced to act. Secretary of State Pat McFadden confirmed the department has undertaken a "comprehensive review" of its safeguarding practices in the wake of the findings.
A New Strategy for Accountability
Outlining the new approach, McFadden stated, "We have developed a high-level strategy to prioritise short, medium, and long-term actions." He added that officials are now working on a detailed implementation plan to put this strategy into effect.
The minister identified leadership and accountability as the absolute first priority for the new safeguarding work. He emphasised the critical need for a clear line of responsibility within the department, from the frontline staff right up to the senior leadership at Caxton House, the DWP's headquarters.
Looking Forward, Not Just Learning from Past Mistakes
McFadden acknowledged the value of "serious case panels" for learning from past errors. However, he expressed a strong desire for the department to be more proactive. "I hope that the department doesn't just look at this with a rear-view mirror, learning from what's gone wrong, but actually has an active process to try to make sure that we deal with people in the best way that we can," he told the committee, chaired by Debbie Abrahams.
He showed sympathy for frontline staff, recognising they deal directly with the most vulnerable customers and are often not the highest-paid civil servants. Despite the new measures, McFadden was candid about the road ahead, concluding, "I'm not going to sit here and say it's job done. It's clearly not. But it is something that we take seriously."
