jobcentre work focused interview, i cant work

eld

I'm currently on Income Support due to the situation with my son (lone parent, long story), and I just got a letter about having to go to an interview to get me into work.

I've looked it up and they require you to be free 16 hours a week minimum (from what I could find online), and my son is only in nursery 2 and a half days a week. The half day I can't do anything as it's literally 3 hours. The full days are only until 3.15pm as well.

Taking this into account that's about 14 hours a week i'm "free", not taking into account travel time as I don't have a car and our city centre takes 45 minutes to reach each way...

Can they seriously expect me to have to look for work right now?

RAS

How old is your son??

bloolagoon

No it's a preparation interview to see if you need help to prepare for when he's 5. For example training or working from home information. You won't be forced to take a job just a prompt to start thinking about it now.

You might find it useful and it may give you time to retrain or up skill in advance of his turning 5 and doing a low paid job you don't enjoy.

eld

RAS wrote: »

How old is your son??

Three years old.

marleyboy

As above, you have 2 Years to prep yourself up for a job. This is merely an interview where you can discuss your options. Don't panic.

eld

bloolagoon wrote: »

No it's a preparation interview to see if you need help to prepare for when he's 5. For example training or working from home information. You won't be forced to take a job just a prompt to start thinking about it now.

You might find it useful and it may give you time to retrain or up skill in advance of his turning 5 and doing a low paid job you don't enjoy.

Thanks, that's put me at ease somewhat. If they have ideas for training I will probably look into it as it's a good idea to boost up my C.V a bit, but when I have so little actual free time right now I just can't see them trying to force me into work.

Just annoying really with where I live it's not close to all our main shopping areas (for work).

Calien

I had one of these last week (lone parent to a 1 year old) it was mostly about what previous work experience I've had, whether I'd be open to training in something new or even studying, childcare options and help that will be available for when I do find work, help with making a CV and a few other things. The meeting lasted about 20 minutes and the woman said she'd see me in six months.

They aren't going to be expecting you to suddenly find work, it's just to discuss things that's all. Don't worry.

eld

Calien wrote: »

I had one of these last week (lone parent to a 1 year old) it was mostly about what previous work experience I've had, whether I'd be open to training in something new or even studying, childcare options and help that will be available for when I do find work, help with making a CV and a few other things. The meeting lasted about 20 minutes and the woman said she'd see me in six months.

They aren't going to be expecting you to suddenly find work, it's just to discuss things that's all. Don't worry.

Thanks, really makes me feel better, thank you so much.

KxMx

The appointments are mandatory, but as others have said you will not be obliged to do anything other than attend.