ESA work programme - guy was off sick and I wasn't notified

spottybutterfly

rogerblack wrote: »

Basically anything that is not:
Applying for work.
Doing (paid) work.
Undergoing medical treatment.

Up to and including permanent compulsory labour. (brought in by the recent welfare reform act)

It is compulsory for my to apply for 4 job a week and I'm only on ESA. Its silly because I end up having to apply for jobs I couldn't do.

Muttleythefrog

spottybutterfly wrote: »

It is compulsory for my to apply for 4 job a week and I'm only on ESA. Its silly because I end up having to apply for jobs I couldn't do.

Are you sure it is compulsory... (silly question but) were they aware you're on ESA?

Refer http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/wp-pg-chapter-2.pdf

• Mandatory ESA participants - All mandatory ESA participants (regardless
of whether they have opted for early entry) can be required to undertake
work-related activity that is reasonable in their circumstances. You can support
ESA participants to apply for and take up work, but you may not mandate these
participants to apply for jobs, undertake medical treatment, take up work or
unpaid work experience.
• Voluntary participants - Voluntary participants
are not required to take part and their participation remains on an entirely
voluntary basis. You may not mandate voluntary participants to undertake
activity.

as opposed to:

Mandatory JSA participants -

[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]All JSA participants (regardless of whether they have opted for entry early) will be required to participate, and can be mandated to apply for or take up work if it is reasonable [/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]
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speedfreek1000

challfour wrote: »

Is there a defined list of exactly what these 'Work Providers' can make you do?

WP is a black box approach so as long as it's "reasonable"
it's okay. There a few bits n bobs that they can not do for certain groups.

You have to read and read lots and continue to update as the regulations change with the wind at times.

This is a link to a FOI request on the WP requesting the JCP advisor manuals/guides

http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/interventions_guidance_of_jobcen#comment-29044

It's well worth reading what they got back and how it works.

There is also the WP Handbook/Chapters on the DWP website Chap 2 is linked to in an earlier post.

spottybutterfly

Muttleythefrog wrote: »

Are you sure it is compulsory... (silly question but) were they aware you're on ESA?

Refer http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/wp-pg-chapter-2.pdf

I wish I'd looked in to this sooner I'm probably going to sign off on Friday as I got a part time job offer.

For the past 2 months letters from them have had that I must apply for 3/4 jobs.

Maybe they're trying to give me the impression stuff is compulsory that isn't. I got a copy of the file they have on me from my new advisor and I was shocked to see how many of the things they asked me to do weren't mandatory, they never said they weren't mandatory.

I would definetly recommend people on ESA ask to have a look at this, only about 1/3 of my appointments were mandatory.

Muttleythefrog

spottybutterfly wrote: »

I wish I'd looked in to this sooner I'm probably going to sign off on Friday as I got a part time job offer.

For the past 2 months letters from them have had that I must apply for 3/4 jobs.

Maybe they're trying to give me the impression stuff is compulsory that isn't. I got a copy of the file they have on me from my new advisor and I was shocked to see how many of the things they asked me to do weren't mandatory, they never said they weren't mandatory.

I would definetly recommend people on ESA ask to have a look at this, only about 1/3 of my appointments were mandatory.

I suspect Scarlet will be right in post #3.. the WP providers may be deficient in knowledge of what they're actually meant to be doing... resulting in treating everyone in a blanket fashion. That's why I was so critical at the outset of this thread (I understand why people thought I overreacted but it sounds indicative not of a one off occasion problem as reported but systematic and will impact the Op potentially permanently on the scheme).. because if it is commonplace then people rather than getting the tailored support appropriate to them they will be getting treated as simply like a JSA claimant in the hope that a small proportion behave in a way that raises them (the provider) income at minimal expense... even if it means deceiving them or failing to follow obligations.

The letters you have you may feel worth keeping for reference... I can think of a few things I'd do with them..lol. Anyway..good luck with the job... take note of the advice on the other thread regarding permitted work if it is relevant.

spottybutterfly

I forgot to mention before, that I do sympathise with the OP. My second appointment at the Work Programme was a right balls up. Firstly I arrive and the advisor is running late (in the end over a hour late), my anxiety gets worse when I know I can't leave a place (by the end I was crying).

When the advisor told me she was running late she was like, "Go on the computer and search for jobs." As far as I was concerned I was there for them to help me get back to a state where I could work, not there to look for jobs that I would not be able to have done any jobs at the time, I could barley leave the house.

When I said to the advisor, "But I'm on ESA." she goes, "Do it anyway!"

Muttleythefrog

spottybutterfly wrote: »

When I said to the advisor, "But I'm on ESA." she goes, "Do it anyway!"

*shake*... I notice you're in my part of the world... I hope that I don't end up in WRAG one day otherwise I could be at the same place... and then I can imagine I'll have to use some choice vocabulary.