Mencap responds to the Harrington review of Work Capability Assessments

Tuesday 23 November 2010

Mark Goldring, Mencap's chief executive, said:

"We very much welcome the recommendations made by Professor Harrington in his review of the Work Capability Assessment (WCA). Given the extent of the review's recommendations, it is clear that the current WCA is not working as it should.

"However, it is also important to remember that WCA is just one element of a much larger process in moving people off benefits and into work. While it is vital to get the assessment itself right, it is also extremely important that people get the right support and training if they are to successfully make the transition into work."

ENDS

For more information please contact Jenny Brannan on 020 7696 6017 or email jenny.brannan@mencap.org.uk

Notes to editors

Mencap, Mind and the National Autistic Society have been asked to review and offer further improvements to the assessment which they will report back to Professor Harrington shortly.

• About Mencap

Mencap supports the 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK and their families and carers. Mencap fights to change laws and improve services and access to education, employment and leisure facilities, supporting thousands of people with a learning disability to live their lives the way they want.

We are also the largest service provider of services, information and advice for people with a learning disability across England, Northern Ireland and Wales. See http://www.mencap.org.uk/ for more information.

• About learning disability

A learning disability is caused by the way the brain develops before, during or shortly after birth. It is always lifelong and affects someone's intellectual and social development. It used to be called mental handicap but this term is outdated and offensive. Learning disability is NOT a mental illness. The term learning difficulty is often incorrectly used interchangeably with learning disability.