Flexible new deal stages and signing off to reclaim

Mr_Falling_Star

I have posted what I feel to be good, practical solutions in Post #63

If you did them I can almost guarantee you would be in some sort of work sooner rather than later

qwertyuiop12345

Mr_Falling_Star wrote: »

The gap between signing off and signing back on has to be more than 26 weeks if you want to avoid going on stage 4

Mr_Falling_Star wrote: »

The outlook for construction work is very very slowly improving, the biggest area there is roadmending. You need a Lantra 12a/b and 12d certificate, the courses are only a few days and the Jobcentre may help you with the costs.

At the moment though it probably pays to look at other areas, no point in applying for jobs that are not there as it becomes demoralising. Still a big need for security guards, you need a clean driving licence and criminal record, a checkable work history and a SIA Licence (which the company or the Jobcentre may help with). If you have a look at the Group 4 recruitment pages that will give you some idea.

Why can't all replies on this board be like this; helpful, informative and not judgemental. It makes a refreshing change from all the bullying and bickering that makes up most of the posts.

mummytotwo_3

I thought these forums were for help, support and advice. Not for being judgemental and defamatory to others, which in some i think are bordering on, which in a court of law is looked on very seriously with serious consequences.

Until you are in a situation yourselves, you have no idea what its like, and are therefore not qualified on the subject. There was a time like some of you I may have carried the same views, but not anymore, seeing how hard it is first hand.

I hope none of you are ever in the situation, but if you do find that you are, please dont expect me or others that have been through it to have any time for you.

JoJil

Arg wrote: »

The only way the new deal helps, is helping itself to more money as daycare for the unemployed and a source of employment for the inbred cretins that run these things.

That isn’t that far from the truth. I did a secret shopper at one of these places. They employed the same type of person, low skilled and a low standard of education. Bizarrely, they were all on some sort of benefit themselves!

I’m sure they would have been screaming out loud if their benefits were stopped, but they seem to enjoy having that power over others. I suppose that this is first time in their life they have ever had power in any place they have worked

Although I am usually all for privatisation, I sincerely hope that Labour don’t get rid of places like the job centre and other places that sort out peoples benefits, to give the work to private companies like these. But it does seem to be what they are planning and I doubt they will stop at just JSA.

No bright child at school would ever bully, that was always the domain of the school thickos. It’s never a good idea to let the bullies take over the playground.

JoJil

Mr_Falling_Star wrote: »

The gap between signing off and signing back on has to be more than 26 weeks if you want to avoid going on stage 4

I read on another thread, that it's 13 weeks.

libbysmum_2

sunnyone wrote: »

tax credits should be abolished leaving only the equivalent of the married mans allowance for people with families, we brought up our kids without anthing above CB and thats what people should do today and only have kids that they can afford, not to be meal tickets to keep them on benefits for life.

the ammount of people who come here and claim not to claim benefits is unbelievable, they think CB and tax credits come from santa!

Its 26 weeks if they want top avoid stage 4 however alot of jcps are fast tracking people now, especially if they think they can afford to live on their own money or are working cash in hand so will not necc be avoided. Sanctioning all depends on your advisor at the provider so if you show them you are looking, they can usually assess the timewasters from those genuinely looking for work.

Personally with Sunny ones quote, I think tax credits shouldn`t be abolished, but increased to help those who are working and make it an incentive for people to work long term rather than give stupid amounts to those who are having four kids so they have £400 a week left after their housing is paid for by the state so they dont have to work, maybe this would make a lot of people more eager to find work instead of realising there is a loophole of being well off without having to lift a finger. I work full time with two kids and I am better off on benefits as I dont get any help towards my housing, however I want to work, so thats why I do maybe the government should look at their figures and put more into helping those in work survive

john539

JoJil wrote: »

Although I am usually all for privatisation, I sincerely hope that Labour don’t get rid of places like the job centre and other places that sort out peoples benefits, to give the work to private companies like these. But it does seem to be what they are planning and I doubt they will stop at just JSA.

They won't to do that, because there is too much money involved, too much opportunity for private companies to mess up, start fiddling statistics or commit fraud.

One of interesting things about Flexible New Deal compared to Employment Zones (previous scheme), is that the payments have been brought back in house through DWP/JC+ because of problems with the private companies making the payments previously on Employment Zones.

On Flexible New Deal people still sign on, get their payments from DWP/JC+, whereas on Employment Zones, they didn't have to sign on at Jobcentre & payments were handled by the private company provider.

MissMoneypenny

libbysmum wrote: »

Personally with Sunny ones quote, I think tax credits shouldn`t be abolished, but increased to help those who are working and make it an incentive for people to work long term rather than give stupid amounts to those who are having four kids so they have £400 a week left after their housing is paid for by the state so they dont have to work, maybe this would make a lot of people more eager to find work instead of realising there is a loophole of being well off without having to lift a finger. I work full time with two kids and I am better off on benefits as I dont get any help towards my housing, however I want to work, so thats why I do maybe the government should look at their figures and put more into helping those in work survive

I'm with Sunny in thinking that tax credits should be got rid of completly. There is nothing wrong with working to keep your own children. It's good for the children to learn about working and not good for them to learn to live off the state..

Back in the 90s, a single parent who didn't want to work got:-

• continued to get the child benefit and Family Allowance

plus they got:-

• housing in the shape of rent or mortgage interest (bear in mind there were no 'interest only' mortgage payments then)

• £30 (income support?)
• free school dinners.

The incentive for the parent to work was that their family was better off if they worked.
Now people want the state to pay them extra money if they work!?

As someone said on another list, we now have four classes: upper, middle, working and "entitled to".

donnajunkie

Mr_Falling_Star wrote: »

I have posted what I feel to be good, practical solutions in Post #63

If you did them I can almost guarantee you would be in some sort of work sooner rather than later

they are all part time jobs at those places.

coupes

Hello folks and thanks for all the responses.

Yes i am looking for work and must have applied to hundreds of vacancies over the past year. I am keen to work but there is not much you can do when most companies dont reply. But its not their fault either, there just isnt enough work to go around.

I could write on and on about the various things i have tried and types of jobs i have applied for, but i wont because my post will become a long essay. But i will add that I have a CV which my advisor was impressed with. I have no problem writing cover letters, spec letters and contacting employers via the telephone. My interview technique is fantastic.

donnajunkie, or anyone on stage 4 of FND and is currently with a provider could you help answer some of the questions below please:

1. How long was your induction?
2. How many days or hours per week do you attend the centre?
3. Are there any core modules on the course or are they all optional?
4. What is the minimum attendance required with the provider?
5. Is the 4 week voluntary work done in one block or gradually over the 12 months?

thanks