First work focused interview for WRAG...

LL30

What to expect?

I'm just going into my second year of my MA in Social Work, so I'm really not sure how useful this interview is going to be for me, any pointers? Are there any schemes I should ask about in preparation for when I finish my MA which may be of use?

I anticipate that I'll have to do an extra term in order for me to get the full MA, so I should be finished end of Dec 2014. By the time my work's been checked by the exam board and I've been HCPC registered, I'm thinking I'll be ready for work in Feb 2015. I'm hoping that by this time my arthritis will be better controlled too, which would hopefully mean that I would at least be able to do part time work, if not full. <---- see, I have a plan, is that what they want to hear?

isolation

LL30 wrote: »

What to expect?

I'm just going into my second year of my MA in Social Work, so I'm really not sure how useful this interview is going to be for me, any pointers? Are there any schemes I should ask about in preparation for when I finish my MA which may be of use?

I anticipate that I'll have to do an extra term in order for me to get the full MA, so I should be finished end of Dec 2014. By the time my work's been checked by the exam board and I've been HCPC registered, I'm thinking I'll be ready for work in Feb 2015. I'm hoping that by this time my arthritis will be better controlled too, which would hopefully mean that I would at least be able to do part time work, if not full. <---- see, I have a plan, is that what they want to hear?

That sounds an excellent plan. Just make sure that you don't overstretch yourself with things that will not be useful to you at this stage.
For example, the advisor may direct you to an agency to go on a work preparation course - as you already have your own plans, it may be better to try to avoid this as then you are being passed to a third party who have their own targets to fulfill.
At the end of the interview, they will give you a record of the meeting to sign, do make sure you read this properly before signing it. I'm not saying that JCP staff are devious, but again they have their own targets and QC to meet (and are usually pushed for time), so make sure there is nothing in it which wasn't part of the discussion.

Best wishes,
Dee
http://dwpnegligence.wordpress.com

tokenfield

LL30 wrote: »

I should be finished end of Dec 2014. By the time my work's been checked by the exam board and I've been HCPC registered, I'm thinking I'll be ready for work in Feb 2015. I'm hoping that by this time my arthritis will be better controlled too, which would hopefully mean that I would at least be able to do part time work, if not full. ?

I'm not being picky, but how on earth can you say that you won't be ready for work until Feb 2015? Put it another way, are you hoping for a miracle cure on that date?

Surely, if you are currently studying and taking exams you are fit enough to carry out some work based functions?

Are the DWP aware of this?

Why would you anticipate or hope that your arthritis will be better controlled by Feb 2015? If you actually think this, why isn't it being controlled now in order that you can sign off ESA and claim JSA instead and start looking for paid work?

LL30

Thanks Dee, I'll make sure I read the notes of the meeting carefully!

Tokenfield - as I said, I'm going into my second year of my MA. It is due to finish September 2014 but due to my arthritis, I am going to have to do an extra term which will take me to the end of Dec 14. My work then has to go through the exam board and I have to be registered with the HCPC - so I anticipate that this will take me through to Feb 2015.

In terms of whether I'm after a miracle cure, well yes, yes I am, know of any? I have psoriatic arthritis, it's autoimmune and was caused by an insect bite 18 months a go. I have been trialing different drugs to get it under control, and I'm still learning how to live with this condition so that I can lead a semi normal life without making my arthritis worse (I'm 32 so preserving my mobility is essential, these legs have got a lot more walking to do yet!). Unfortunately, we've hit a few dead ends with various medications and discovered that I'm suffering from malabsorption so this is now being investigated. I will get better though, maybe not how I used to be, but better than I am now. I will remain ever the optimist!

Oh, and JSA would not be appropriate in my case. I'm a student entitled to ESA due to the fact that I receive DLA.

tokenfield

LL30 wrote: »

discovered that I'm suffering from malabsorption so this is now being investigated.
Oh, and JSA would not be appropriate in my case. I'm a student entitled to ESA due to the fact that I receive DLA.

Ask your GP about Creon. I have the same problem, but it doesn't cause me any difficulties - I have to take a min of 240,000 units a day.

Receiving DLA has nothing whatsoever to do with claiming ESA. In fact there are more DLA claimants that work a full 40 hour week than there are that claim ESA.
You are only 'entitled' to ESA if you can regularly prove that you score enough points from the descriptors - you need not be actually ill!

I receive both components of DLA at the highest rates AND claim ESA - Support Group.
Yet none of those claims actually stops me from being able to work. I am self employed and work/consult for 15 hours a week under the Permitted Work scheme and my net adjusted income for DWP purposes is under £90 a week.

LL30

For students DLA has everything to do with ESA - you can only claim it if you get DLA.

The malabsorption is causing issues as I have very low levels of calcium, vit D and iron, all of which can mimic or exacerbate arthritis, so getting to the bottom of that issue will help to sort out the right course of action. There's no pint embarking on more DMARDS if it's the mineral levels which are causing havoc and not the PsA.

I am very pleased that you've found a way of working which suits you and your health, I am sure that I will be able to do so in the future! At the moment, my health and my MA take precedent (oh, and my 2 yr old!). Once I have my MA and my health is more stable, I'll be raring to go