wcainfo

Activity 11: Learning tasks

Activity 11 is defined in regulations as - 

Learning tasks.

Activity 11 assesses the ability to learn and retain information in order to be able to carry out a task. The method of learning - visual demonstration, reading or verbal instruction - is not relevant but if the person needs to be shown how to do a task again they have not learned it.


Descriptors

The descriptors that relate to Activity 11 are - 

  1. Cannot learn how to complete a simple task, such as setting an alarm clock. 15 points
  2. Cannot learn anything beyond a simple task, such as setting an alarm clock. 9 points
  3. Cannot learn anything beyond a moderately complex task, such as the steps involved in operating a washing machine to clean clothes. 6 points
  4. None of the above applies. 0 points

Sources:

See also section 3.5.2 of the DWP’s Work Capability Assessment handbook: for healthcare professionals.


Case law

Whilst the Upper Tribunal is yet to publish any significant case law specific to activity 11, in [2017] UKUT 338 (AAC) - a decision considering activity 9 of schedule 3 - Judge Levenson sets out guidance that is also relevant to descriptors relating to activity 11. Highlighting that the inclusion of ‘such as’ in descriptors in activity 11 of schedule 2, and in the wording of activity 9 of schedule 3, indicates that ‘setting an alarm clock’ is just an example of a simple task, Judge Levenson notes that a range of tasks may have to be considered when assessing a claimant’s ability to learn tasks.