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Universal Credit “Scholars” and “Specialist Innovation Lead”
We’re working on a case at the moment trying to get a client back onto legacy benefits from Universal Credit. As part of the torturous process of ringing around various departments within the DWP we’ve come across two job titles that no-one in our office has ever heard of. “Scholars” and “Specialist Innovation Leads”. Even UC Case Managers don’t know what a “Scholar” is when we mentioned having spoken to one! So has anyone got any ideas what these exciting new roles might actually be in charge of?
We’re working on a case at the moment trying to get a client back onto legacy benefits from Universal Credit. As part of the torturous process of ringing around various departments within the DWP we’ve come across two job titles that no-one in our office has ever heard of. “Scholars” and “Specialist Innovation Leads”. Even UC Case Managers don’t know what a “Scholar” is when we mentioned having spoken to one! So has anyone got any ideas what these exciting new roles might actually be in charge of?
SIL’s have been around for a while although I have never seen a job description - they appear to have responsibility for DWP new initiatives (the point of contact for other DWP staff or act as ‘troubleshooters’) and also for resolving admin issues including UC IT problems and may be based in either Jobcentre’s or processing centres (presumably with differing roles in each?). If we refer an admin / technical issue to the local partnership team they will often refer it on to SIL for a response.
‘Scholars’ on the other hand .......?
On a similar theme the NHS Business Authority have a complex benefits team of specialists called…“The Sherlock Team”
NO BS, it’s their e-mails.
And no, they definitely did not merit the title.