Seetec work programme info

emilywalker

Hi Vincent, thanks for your reply, yeah I shall get in touch with jobcentre in morning, they pay for childcare, but they are not given me much notice to find childcare for half term next week, but was told today by seetec they would contact the jobcentre and pull me out of the work programme and restart me again, will see what jobcentre say. Thanks

ohreally

emilywalker wrote: »

have been told i do voluntary work in a shop, 6 hours a day

Isn't this a contradiction in terms?

emilywalker

Unsure what you mean ????

imatt

I think ohreally means that you can hardly be a volunteer if you are being told to do something.

emilywalker

Well I'm being told if I don't do the work then I will loose my benifits, but it is seen as voluntary work as not getting a wage, it's the weird way it all works !!!!

emilywalker

If anyone is with seetec on the mandatory work programme and you are a lone parent, please can you let me know the ours you have to work, as have been told 30 hours a week, but was then told by seetec that I only have to work 20 hours as I have children. I need to know incase I need organise childcare, thank you

Vincent_Buenisedes

emilywalker wrote: »

If anyone is with seetec on the mandatory work programme and you are a lone parent, please can you let me know the ours you have to work, as have been told 30 hours a week, but was then told by seetec that I only have to work 20 hours as I have children. I need to know incase I need organise childcare, thank you

Have Seetec told you what you will be doing for the MWA, ie. given you a schedule, start/finish times etc, location of placement?

emilywalker

No nothing yet, was told on Monday they will send a letter of to me where I'm working start/finish times in next few days, and I shall start the placement the next Tuesday, this is when my children are on half-term, so doesn't give much time to sort childcare

robpw2

i wouldn't worry seems the courts have stupidly decided being forced to do voluntary work for benefits is unlawful despite the fact the skills you gain and opportunities are invaluable
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21426928

Vincent_Buenisedes

emilywalker wrote: »

No nothing yet, was told on Monday they will send a letter of to me where I'm working start/finish times in next few days, and I shall start the placement the next Tuesday, this is when my children are on half-term, so doesn't give much time to sort childcare

They're cutting it a bit fine in my opinion. According to the provider guidance, the letter is supposed to include a rota. As they've said that you will only have to work 20 hours, then the Jobcentre has obviously placed some restrictions on your availability to work. I haven't got any children so I can't advise on childcare, but I did notice in the provider guidance that if you cannot attend on the start date and you notify the provider in advance, they can change it and send you a new letter.
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/supplying-dwp/what-we-buy/welfare-to-work-services/provider-guidance/man-work-guidance.shtml

3.21 If the customer tells you that they cannot attend their work placement on the start date, you may change the details in the formal notification letter which you must then re-issue to the customer.

Perhaps they may be able to delay your start for a week. The cost of childcare is their responsibility so it may be worth their while. Speak to Jobcentreplus and Seetec as soon as you can as both are not known to be proactive when kinks occur in the system.
Good Luck.