Part V Welfare
Chapter I Social security benefits
Work-focused interviews
58 Optional work-focused interviews.
After section 2B of the Administration Act (inserted by section 57 above) there shall be inserted—
2C Optional work-focused interviews.
1
Regulations may make provision for conferring on local authorities functions in connection with conducting work-focused interviews in cases where such interviews are requested or consented to by persons to whom this section applies.
2
This section applies to persons making claims for or entitled to—
a
any of the benefits listed in section 2A(2) above, or
b
any prescribed benefit;
and it so applies regardless of whether such persons have, in accordance with regulations under section 2A above, already taken part in interviews conducted under such regulations.
3
The functions which may be conferred on a local authority by regulations under this section include functions relating to—
a
the obtaining and receiving of information for the purposes of work-focused interviews conducted under the regulations;
b
the recording and forwarding of information supplied at, or for the purposes of, such interviews;
c
the taking of steps to identify potential employment or training opportunities for persons taking part in such interviews.
4
Regulations under this section may make different provision for different areas or different authorities.
5
In this section “work-focused interview”, in relation to a person to whom this section applies, means an interview conducted for such purposes connected with employment or training in the case of such a person as may be prescribed; and the purposes which may be so prescribed include—
a
purposes connected with the existing or future employment or training prospects or needs of such a person, and
b
(in particular) assisting or encouraging such a person to enhance his employment prospects.