The Work Programme New Thread

wantsajob

PhDbum wrote: »

By the way you made me smile: even though your comment was meant in an obnoxious way.

Not meant in an obnoxious way by any means. If you want to see obnoxious, keep going to the work programme. My points are broadly:

a) you're in the work programme so have been unemployed for a year or more.
b) you're volunteering unpaid for 2 years in a position commensurate with qualifications, with no clear progression to paid work.
c) minimum wage is better than the work programme.

There are minimum wage employers out there not interested in your work history or education whatsoever, though admittedly those jobs are as close to slave labour as legally possible.

dandelionclock30

Have you thought about a teaching assistant job OP?, one of my friends does this and she helps with science and Maths classes and she only has 1 GSCE!!!.
You'd be in the field of science(if you helped children with this) and would still be able to look about. What about sending your C.V off to some schools and see. I know a lot of positions in schools dont get formally advertised.

I dont think a factory or warehouse would have you. For one a lot of factory work has moved overseas and also these jobs want people who will stay. If they can get school leavers or people with little qualifications they will choose them over you every time.

donnajunkie

PhDbum wrote: »

Advisor: Ok you have to apply for a job opening with this job agency in Rotherham. (It's the same job agency they work for). Ok but I I have applied for recruitment firms before and they reject me as I have no experience. Plus it is more 90 minutes travelling everyday, I cant drive on motorways. Plus you said I was looking at random areas and wasting time.

heres a tip just apply for whatever they tell you to. it will save you alot of grief and reduce the risk of a sanction. you can politely point out why its unsuitable but if they continue to think you should apply despite that then just do it to keep them happy.

kizzie_nikita

Well, i've been on the work programme since last November, only had to go twice a month so wasn't so bad, and when i did go, it was a breif job search that i'd already done that day for 20 mins, and then i 5 min appoitment, then a long 90 min bus home.


I moved house in may 2012, and since then not been to the work prog once, they told me it may take 'a couple of weeks to switch me to another provider' as i moved out the area, yet 3 months on, no ones sent me letters, rang me nothing. Same with my house-mate.

When they do finally get around to giving me my first (again) induction, i will go, but until then i don't see why i should remind them that they should have transferred me over to a new WP.

looby75

well my GP signed me off sick for another month (still trying to get my medication sorted and waiting for councelling) so I'm going to have to phone the WP again on Tuesday to cancel the latest appointment for September that they sent out.

I have a feeling they will try and insist that I go in anyway, they were kind of hinting that they felt I should still go to appointments when I last spoke to them. Does anyone know if they have the power to recommend a sanction of ESA payments? I wouldn't put it past them to try and threaten me with it if I refuse to go for the next appointment.

I know I'm probably being a bit paranoid but thats part of my anxiety problem I just don't want to be worrying over something if there is no chance of it happening IYKWIM.

pickpocketlocket

looby75 wrote: »

well my GP signed me off sick for another month (still trying to get my medication sorted and waiting for councelling) so I'm going to have to phone the WP again on Tuesday to cancel the latest appointment for September that they sent out.

I have a feeling they will try and insist that I go in anyway, they were kind of hinting that they felt I should still go to appointments when I last spoke to them. Does anyone know if they have the power to recommend a sanction of ESA payments? I wouldn't put it past them to try and threaten me with it if I refuse to go for the next appointment.

I know I'm probably being a bit paranoid but thats part of my anxiety problem I just don't want to be worrying over something if there is no chance of it happening IYKWIM.

They can report to the DWP if they feel you are not complying with your agreement, but the decision as to a sanction lies with the DWP. I cannot recall the exact figures but less than half of these reports result in a sanction.

looby75

pickpocketlocket wrote: »

They can report to the DWP if they feel you are not complying with your agreement, but the decision as to a sanction lies with the DWP. I cannot recall the exact figures but less than half of these reports result in a sanction.

When you say agreement do you mean JSA agreement? I don't think I've ever had any kind of agreement with the WP. They just keep sending me out appointments in a totally random way sometimes for job search and sometimes for a one on one with an advisor (which usually lasts less that 5 mins)

pickpocketlocket

looby75 wrote: »

When you say agreement do you mean JSA agreement? I don't think I've ever had any kind of agreement with the WP. They just keep sending me out appointments in a totally random way sometimes for job search and sometimes for a one on one with an advisor (which usually lasts less that 5 mins)

Are you on JSA and going on ESA for a short period, or on long term ESA? If JSA you will have a Jobseeking Agreement, if on ESA you may (or may not) have an action plan, but it would be very unlikely that the DWP would sanction you for deviating from it because you are too unwell. After all, that is why you are currently on ESA, you are not fit for work.

dandelionclock30

I tried to start the GTP programme but I realised when I rang the course leader, that I need to be employed as an unqualified teacher status, and then I can start the course. The GTP course only ends this year, and a new one in place of that starts next year called school direct.

I thought about the PGCE but I can't afford to do it. Though my other option is beg my brother and get him to pay for the CELTA. Though I need to research it. To be honest, I am actually happy finding any kind of work to keep me from having to go sign, and I can still look for my area of work in the meantime. So the teaching thing is actually a great help, thank you for that.[/QUOTE].

Im surprised they want teaching qualifications for classroom/teaching assistants. Where I live at a local college you can do a certificate to be a classroom assistant or learning mentor/ general helper in the classroom. Its free to those on benefits, have a look to see if theres anything like this in your area.

looby75

pickpocketlocket wrote: »

Are you on JSA and going on ESA for a short period, or on long term ESA? If JSA you will have a Jobseeking Agreement, if on ESA you may (or may not) have an action plan, but it would be very unlikely that the DWP would sanction you for deviating from it because you are too unwell. After all, that is why you are currently on ESA, you are not fit for work.

I was on JSA until 6 weeks ago when I had a melt down at an appointment with my GP and she signed me off there and then, 2 weeks later she signed me off for another 4 weeks and I had to claim ESA. I told the WP and they said they would cancel all my appointments, but they kept sending me more out.

I have just filled in the form for the ATOS medical and been signed off for another 4 weeks. My GP says she doesn't think I'll be ready to go back to the WP and signing on for a while yet, she wants me to get CBT and counselling as well as find medication that will work for me (it's a bit of a nightmare at the moment the side effects of some of the meds I am on aren't nice to say the least)

I'm under no illusions that when I have the ESA medical assessment they will agree with my GP and I know I'll be made to sign back on even if I'm still not well, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. I know I'm probably worrying about nothing re the WP but as I said thats all part of my illness.

Thanks for taking the time to reassure me re sanctions, when you put it like that it makes sense