Since its introduction in 2008, ESA and its assessment phase, the Work Capability Assessment (WCA), have attracted significant criticism. Many claimants and their families complain of a multitude of issues, including inappropriate awards, assessors failing to understand their condition, and short-term awards for people with long-term conditions who are placed in a distressing cycle of applications and appeals.
The BPS paper highlights these issues, citing a growing body of evidence that shows seriously-ill people are being inappropriately subjected to the WCA, and that it does not effectively measure fitness for work. Referring to the results of Headway's own research into the WCA, the report highlights the real-life psychological impact of the assessment's weaknesses for people with brain injury and other conditions.
The BPS makes a number recommendations, some of which echo Headway's own calls for change put forward over several years of campaigning.
To redesign the WCA system, the paper calls for the introduction of:
- a reliable, valid and fully researched method of assessment to replace the Limited Capacity for Work Questionnaire (ESA 50) and the face-to-face WCA;
- training in assessment, scoring and interpretation for the test administrators;
- specialist assessors to assess people with mental, cognitive and intellectual functioning difficulties;
- supervision of the assessors from qualified clinicians with expertise in rehabilitation, assessment and interpretation;
- referral routes to specialist assessment and support for those with psychological, cognitive and intellectual functioning difficulties;
- appropriate periods of reassessment for people with long-term conditions, based on specialist advice to accurately reflect the prognosis.
"This report from the BPS mirrors Headway's own concerns over ESA and the WCA," said Peter McCabe, Chief Executive of Headway. "It is clear that after seven years and multiple attempts to improve the system, it is still failing to provide support to those who need it most.
"Headway has been calling for a range of improvements since the ESA was introduced, pushing for specialist assessors to be used for applicants with complex conditions, better training to be provided to assessors and decision makers, and the introduction of measures to end the constant cycle of applications and appeals.
"Our research has shown limited improvement despite multiple independent reviews, with only 19% of claimants with a brain injury feeling their condition was taken into account.
"We remain of the view that the WCA in its current form is unfit for purpose, and we support the call for a complete redesign to spare more vulnerable people of this stress and uncertainty."
- You can read the full report on the BPS website.
- For further details of Headway's work to improve the WCA for people with brain injury and the results of our research, visit our campaigns section.
