Who we are
Independent Assessment Services is one of the UK’s leading assessment services providers.
We’re dedicated to delivering an excellent service while being true to our company values, the IAS Foundations. Our People created the IAS Foundations based on what is important to them - People First, Customer Centric, One Team, One Voice, Honesty and Integrity. Our Foundations define who we are and what we stand for. Joining IAS means becoming part of a team with a shared purpose and goal.
At IAS, we’re committed to creating an environment where everyone feels welcome and strives to achieve their full potential. We’re passionate about making our people our priority, creating a safe space where everyone feels comfortable and has pride in what they do. A sense of belonging is crucial in creating an environment where all colleagues feel respected and valued in all aspects of their life, both inside and outside of work.
We’re people focused and have invested in our unique People Team so we can continue to be a great place to work. Our success is powered through our people. Our innovative, people-led organisation welcomes passionate people who are connected to the excellent service we deliver.
What we do
We deliver independent health and disability assessments on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) across the UK, for people claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Our role is to provide information to DWP following an assessment to understand the extent to which a person’s health conditions or disabilities affect their daily life and their ability to live independently.
Our health professionals assess claimants’ cases and provide assessments that form part of a report that enables DWP to reach a decision on an individual’s claim. We do not assess the conditions themselves or provide diagnoses.
The assessments can be conducted via multiple platforms - telephone, video, face-to-face and if there’s enough information contained within the PIP application, a report can be completed using the evidence available without speaking directly to the claimant.
PIP replaced Disability Living Allowance (DLA) as a benefit designed to provide financial support to people with a health condition or disability which affects their day-to-day lives. Claimants must be aged 16 or over and usually have not reached state pension age to claim.
We also assess Employment Support Allowance (ESA) cases and a range of other benefits throughout Northern Ireland against criteria set by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), on behalf of the Northern Ireland Department for Communities.
Who do we work with?
To help deliver assessments for PIP in the UK, we work with supply chain partners, from NHS Trusts to private organisations.
Our health professionals assess claimants’ cases and provide assessments that form part of a report that lets DWP reach a final decision on an individual’s claim.
We also have consultation centres and health professionals who deliver assessments in Northern Ireland.
What type of health professionals can join our team?
Our teams come from a variety of backgrounds, including nurses (RGN, RMN and RNLD), physiotherapists, occupational therapists and paramedics (excluding Northern Ireland). We ask that you are registered with your relevant medical body and have at least one years' post-qualification practical experience.
When you join us, you’ll be given detailed training in how to carry out health and disability assessments. We invest in extensive training programmes for both disability assessors and support teams, focusing on placing the claimant experience firmly at the heart of our service.
Where are we based?
We deliver PIP assessments in two geographical areas of the UK. One area covers Yorkshire and Humber and the North West and North East of England. The other region is made up of London, the East, the South East and the South West of England.
Our PIP colleagues are based across the UK, mainly England and Scotland. Most work from home for the majority of the time and some team members are based at our PIP sites or consultation centres.
While claims for Scotland based PIP claimants are currently being transferred to Social Security Scotland, we're continuing to recruit colleagues to work from their homes and our offices in Scotland to service PIP claimants based in England.
How do assessments work?
In terms of the assessment process, the role of Independent Assessment Services is very specific.
The process starts and finishes with DWP, who provide us with cases. It’s our job to open a case and carry out an initial evaluation. We'll decide what type of assessment is best for the claimant and arrange the consultation. Then we'll carry out the consultation, write up the report and send it to DWP.
DWP make a decision by looking at the claim and its supporting evidence. Our assessment report is only one part of this supporting evidence.
How do we approach our role?
At Independent Assessment Services we strive to deliver fair and accurate assessments.
As a trusted partner in the assessment process, we combine professionalism and compassion making assessments inclusive for all.
How do we support our people?
Our Foundations demonstrate what we stand for. They drive our culture and influence the way we work. They’re at the centre of every decision we make and how we behave.
We equip IAS colleagues to be successful and confident in their role through continuous training, coaching and support. We help colleagues develop the skills required to support the PIP process and ensure the working environment is right for every individual. We know that one size doesn’t always fit all, that every colleague is unique and that people access things in different ways so we take pride in listening to colleagues to understand what truly works for them.
We do everything we reasonably can to create an environment where people feel comfortable to talk about disability and accessibility such as:
- Adapting the work environment
- Modifying or acquiring specialist equipment
- Amending work patterns, offering flexibility
- Raising awareness around various conditions to help educate the wider IAS community.
We have an open, honest and supportive culture at IAS. If we sound like your type of people, we’d love you to join our team. Please click here to apply.