Summaries of DEAC's meetings held in 2003

First meeting – London 28 January 2003

Presentation by DWP and Jobcentre Plus officials on disability employment strategy including IB Green Paper, anti discrimination legislation and civil rights agenda, disability analytical support and Jobcentre Plus Disability Support Division. Purpose to set scene for focus and remit of DEAC
Key note address by Maria Eagle welcoming new Committee, importance of enabling disabled people to take their rightful place in work place and society, still work to be done, DEAC – internal and confidential, important specific strategic remit – not a duplicate of DRC
Committee agreed protocol on confidentiality, methods of working and outcomes and first run at communications strategy
Initial discussion on contents and structure of Strategy and Work Plan and ideas for key task areas
Dates of future meetings – 27 March (Sheffield), 26 June, 28 October and 29 January 2004

Morning session activity focussed to develop Committee as effective Team
Further discussions clarifying remaining issues in Strategy and Work Plan including key work areas. Final Strategy and Work Plan to be put to Ministers for agreement
Agreement that Committee’s immediate priorities are to take forward specific remit in IB Green Paper on engaging employers and other key stakeholders; and to consider what employment support is appropriate in changing context of DDA, New Deals and IB Pathways proposals
Recognition that DEAC did not have members from black and minority ethnic background. Important to address. Secretariat to work with DEAC Chair and Members and Office for Commissioner of Public Appointments to agree process for enhancing committee in the short term and to consider proposals for identifying larger number of potential members in the longer term
Agreement on strategy for managing and delivering effective communications between committee and members and with external partners

presentations from Scotland Office senior official (for Minister) and Scotland Jobcentre Plus on the differences and similarities between Scotland and rest of GB
presentations on what Jobcentre Plus had done and were doing in relation to IB Pilots in Scotland, particularly engaging employers and health professionals
morning seminar and workshop with external guests as well as DEAC Committee taking forward IB Green Paper remit on engaging employers and health sector
afternoon closed session looking in more detail at the projects and the strategic input into each and the strategic interface between them
agreement that similar approach, involving Wales Ministers/officials and external guests be used for DEAC meeting in Cardiff in October

Presentation by Jane Hutt, Minister for Health and Social Services Wales Assembly on the role and recent work of the Wales Assembly on disability employment
Presentation by and Ruth Brown Jobcentre Plus IB Pilots Implementation Manager Bridgend, Rhondda, Cynon Taff District, on progress on the Wales IB pilot.
Closed morning session covering policy areas and providing up dates by members on project activity including a review of phase one of the Pathways project and discussion on what should be included in phase two.
Afternoon session focussing on the future framework for disability employment support