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‘It’s Like the Sword of Damocles’ – A Trauma-Informed Framework Analysis of Individuals’ Experiences of Assessment for the Personal Independence Payment Benefit in the UK

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 December 2022

Helen Roberts ,
Simon Robertson Stuart Open the ORCID record for Simon Robertson Stuart [Opens in a new window] ,
Stephanie Allan  and
Andrew Gumley
Helen Roberts
Affiliation:
Alcohol & Drug Recovery Services, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Scotland
Simon Robertson Stuart*
Affiliation:
Psychological Services, NHS Lanarkshire, Scotland
Stephanie Allan
Affiliation:
Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Scotland
Andrew Gumley
Affiliation:
Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Scotland
*
*Corresponding author, email: simon.stuart@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk
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Abstract

While a growing body of evidence has highlighted the psychological distress experienced by individuals dealing with the UK benefits system, there has been little research into that system from the perspective of Trauma Informed Care (TIC). This study explored to what extent people’s experiences of benefits assessment fitted with TIC principles, using a framework produced by NHS Education for Scotland. Secondary aims were to understand experiences that were not captured by the framework, and to explore the limitations of the framework in context. Participants were 12 people receiving NHS therapy for trauma-related difficulties, who had attended an assessment for the Personal Independence Payment (PIP), a UK financial benefit designed to help with long-term illness or disability. Semi-structured interviews were carried out, and a framework analysis conducted. Results suggested that PIP assessments were severely re-traumatising, with a prolonged adverse effect on mental health. Participants’ experiences contrasted so greatly with the principles of TIC that an alternative framework was constructed, comprising five key themes: harm, distrust, rigidity, intimidation, and powerlessness. Recommendations are made for further research, including an understanding of assessors’ perspectives, and how TIC principles might be introduced into the assessment process.

Keywords

benefitsDepartment of Work and Pensionstrauma informed carequalitative
Type
Article
Information
Journal of Social Policy , First View , pp. 1 - 16
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press

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