Health and Disability Assessment Services (HDAS) Reference number: UI_DWP_101014

The objective and independent assessment of the impact of health conditions and disabilities on claimants is central to the process of determining entitlement to Employment Support Allowance (ESA). The provider will carry out this assessment and provide information and advice to support the Authority’s decision-making processes. — The key elements of the service will include: — The consideration of a claimant’s health conditions or disabilities and the impact on their daily life and mobility, — Assessing individuals against criteria prescribed by the Authority, — The delivery of Consultations to support the above, — The gathering and consideration of evidence to support the above including, where necessary, paying appropriate fees for evidence, — The completion of reports, including advice, to the Authority, — The referral of assessment reports and any associated evidence to the Authority, — Interpretation and advice to the authority on technical evidence, — Follow up liaison with the Authority in relation to assessments, including the provision of relevant health professional expertise as required, — The administration and management of the service, including scheduling of Consultations, ensuring that they are completed within timescales set down by the Authority, — The recruitment, training, and ongoing support of Health Care Professionals, including liaison with relevant professional bodies, — The development of guidance and training in conjunction with the Authority, — The provision of an enquiry service for individuals being assessed, — The provision of a quality control regime, including a complaints function, — The provision of management information as defined by the Authority, — Initiatives and liaison with relevant organisations to support the provision of evidence, — Liaison and collaborative working with local and national partners, including disability organisations, health professional bodies and the devolved administrations, — Support for Test and Learn Activity.