Jobcentre Plus embraces digital inclusion

Jobcentre plus is putting more services online

Jobcentre Plus, the government agency that helps people find work, is embracing the principles of digital inclusion, according to a letter sent to Parliament by its chief executive.

It is putting more services online at the same time as upgrading a network of "Jobpoints" – online kiosks in job centres where people can access information.

Services are also available on digital televisions and the organisation is looking at making services accessible on mobile phones.

Later this year Jobcentre Plus customers will be able to make their claim for benefit online and by 2010 will be able to track progress of their claim and notify changes of circumstances through a secure personal account.

It is equally important that the organisation helps customers who are less confident about using digital services, said Mel Groves, the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus.

"Through the work-focused interviews carried out by our personal advisers, we identify people who could benefit from that help and refer or signpost them to a wide range of information technology training offered through DWP's Employment Programmes, Learndirect or UK Online centres," he said.

All services are also accessible by telephone. Also later this year, we will be able to offer a new “Text Box” service that will improve the service provided to speech- and hearing-impaired people over the telephone.

"I recognise that improving digital inclusion is essential to ensuring that all our customers can benefit from the improvements in service that digital technologies can provide to help them move off welfare and into work," said Groves.

The letter was a response to a parliamentary question from Alun Michael MP.