What is the DWP Work Choice programme?

EltonJohnFan

Hi all,

I've been very busy asking questions tonight, hope I haven't bothered anyone by this as I don't usually ask so many but there's lots going on in my life right now and I seem to feel comfortable asking questions here because we have such a great community that has proven themselves time, and time again to be very helpful and friendly. I've mentioned many times in previous posts now that I was made redundant just over six months ago and a result of that I claimed Contributions-Based Jobseekers Allowance which has now changed over to Income-Based Jobseekers Allowance. I'm a very badly disabled person who has extensive care and mobility needs which only seem to get worse with time but I want to work and need to work for my own peace of mind. I specifically chose to claim JSA instead of ESA because I'm determined to find work and it's just such a shame that because of how things are right now I haven't been having much luck at all, not using that as an excuse for being unemployed it's just from my experiences over the past few months in jobseeking.

Now, I've recently started to meet with a Disability Employment Advisor, really lovely lady who goes out of her way to help me and does everything she can to make me feel respected and comfortable which hasn't always been the case when it comes to the DWP unfortunately as there's been some really horrible advisors in the past who've made my experience an absolute nightmare but this lady apologised on their behalf. This lady stated at our last meeting that she feels I could benefit from a programme called "Work Choice" and she's really keen for me to give this a go but the thing is I've never heard of it before and don't really know what it involves, could you tell me more please? I'm having great difficulty in finding work and because of my extra needs it seems to put a lot of potential employers off which is a great shame because I'd like to think I'm a loyal, decent and very hard working person who just needs a chance to prove himself. Thank you for your help everyone.

Edinburgh65

Hello. I just did a quick Google search and Work Choice is a programme that was formerly known as Specialist Disability Employment Programme, so maybe you are already familiar with the concept because it's not new as such.

If you look at this DWP link, you will find some documents that you can download which might tell you a bit more. Hurray, I can paste links in now! The last time I tried, I was too much of a newbie to be allowed to do that.

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/supplying-dwp/what-we-buy/welfare-to-work-services/specialist-disability-employment/

Good luck!