The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Work preparation requirement N.I.

21.—(1) In this Part a “work preparation requirement” is a requirement that a claimant take particular action specified by the Department for the purpose of making it more likely in the opinion of the Department that the claimant will obtain paid work (or more paid work or better-paid work).

(2) The Department may under paragraph (1) specify the time to be devoted to any particular action.

(3) Action which may be specified under paragraph (1) includes in particular—

(a) attending a skills assessment;

(b) improving personal presentation;

(c) participating in training;

(d) participating in an employment programme;

(e) undertaking work experience or a work placement;

(f) developing a business plan;

(g) any action prescribed for the purpose in paragraph (1).

(4) In the case of a person with limited capability for work, the action which may be specified under paragraph (1) includes taking part in a work-focused health-related assessment.

(5) In paragraph (4) “work-focused health-related assessment” means an assessment by a health care professional approved by the Department which is carried out for the purpose of assessing—

(a) the extent to which the person's capability for work may be improved by taking steps in relation to that person's physical or mental condition, and

(b) such other matters relating to that person's physical or mental condition and the likelihood of that person obtaining or remaining in work or being able to do so as may be prescribed.

(6) In paragraph (5) “health care professional” means—

(a) a registered medical practitioner,

(b) a registered nurse,

(c) an occupational therapist or physiotherapist registered with a regulatory body established by an Order in Council under section 60 of the Health Act 1999, or

(d) a member of such other profession regulated by a body mentioned in section 25(3) of the National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002 as may be prescribed.

Commencement Information

I1 Art. 21 in operation at 2.5.2016 for specified purposes by S.R. 2016/215, art. 2(2)(b)(i)

I2 Art. 21 in operation at 27.9.2017 for specified purposes by S.R. 2017/190, art. 4(3)-(6), Sch. 1 (with art. 5)

I3 Art. 21 in operation at 15.11.2017 and 13.12.2017 for specified purposes by S.R. 2017/216, art. 3 (with art. 6) (as amended (15.1.2018) by S.R. 2018/1, art. 7)

I4 Art. 21 in operation at 17.1.2018 and further specified dates for specified purposes by S.R. 2018/1, art. 3 (with art. 6)

I5 Art. 21 in operation at 16.5.2018 and further specified dates for specified purposes by S.R. 2018/97, art. 3 (with art. 6)

I6 Art. 21 in force at 5.9.2018 and further specified dates for specified purposes by S.R. 2018/138, art. 3 (with art. 6)

I7 Art. 21 in force at 1.2.2019 for specified purposes by S.R. 2019/7, art. 2(1)-(3) (with art. 2(4)(11))

I8 Art. 21 in operation at 30.3.2022 in so far as not already in operation by S.R. 2022/132, art. 3 (with arts. 4, 5, Sch.)