HELP

AlexandraaaK

I just wanted to know from you these programs or groups are mandatory or no, because if someone tells me they are, then it turns out that no, I'm sorry, but it's very unfair and pressured. I don't want to explain my problems here, but anyway- thanks for your help

pmlindyloo

AlexandraaaK said:

I just wanted to know from you these programs or groups are mandatory or no, because if someone tells me they are, then it turns out that no, I'm sorry, but it's very unfair and pressured. I don't want to explain my problems here, but anyway- thanks for your help

Unless you have been unemployed for 24 months then they are not mandatory (see previous link)

Sometimes the DWP staff do get things wrong so you can show them the government link if they say it is mandatory.

Of course there is no need to 'explain your problems here'.

However, the programme is delivered by different 'contractors' so it may be worth asking about which provider your job centre uses and then do a bit of googling for reviews.

Here is one provider:

The Work and Health Programme - Shaw Trust

TELLIT01

How long have you been out of work?  If you are approaching 24 months it may be that the work coach needs to make arrangements for attendance.

sammyjammy

More likely to be Restart programme:

Please Note: Participants will continue to meet their benefit conditionality requirements such as regular interviews with Jobcentre Plus work coaches whilst on the Restart Scheme, their participation on the scheme will be incorporated into their claimant commitment.

Please Note: Restart is a mandatory employment programme which means that you may mandate Participants to undertake activity to help them to prepare for or move into work, subject to their circumstances and capabilities. However, DWP has introduced a range of policy requirements which means mandation must only be considered where alternative attempts to engage and encourage the Participant to undertake activity has failed, and it was reasonable to expect the Participant to undertake them.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/restart-provider-guidance/chapter-1-introduction-and-overview

poppy12345

AlexandraaaK said:

 I don't want to explain my problems here, but anyway- thanks for your help

No one has asked you to do that. I simply advised that if you have a medical condition to report it onto your journal.

TELLIT01

sammyjammy said:

More likely to be Restart programme:

Please Note: Participants will continue to meet their benefit conditionality requirements such as regular interviews with Jobcentre Plus work coaches whilst on the Restart Scheme, their participation on the scheme will be incorporated into their claimant commitment.

Please Note: Restart is a mandatory employment programme which means that you may mandate Participants to undertake activity to help them to prepare for or move into work, subject to their circumstances and capabilities. However, DWP has introduced a range of policy requirements which means mandation must only be considered where alternative attempts to engage and encourage the Participant to undertake activity has failed, and it was reasonable to expect the Participant to undertake them.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/restart-provider-guidance/chapter-1-introduction-and-overview

Earlier in this topic the OP said "I still do not understand why I need this program, I have a computer to apply for a job, my CV is well-written because he checked me before, I am just looking for a job and I will not cry in pain like before when I worked in !!!!!! warehouses. Besides, I have panic attacks, the meeting with my work coach is very stressful for me, I thought he would help me, not some program"

That suggest a reluctance to engage, so it may be that alternative options have already been attempted and rejected.

phonemonkey

I presume the following is how a work coach made an impact on someone's life, worth a read to learn what's possible.

NHS England and NHS Improvement

1 hr · NHS England and NHS Improvement - Home | Facebook

More than 4,000 people have been employed as NHS health support workers, retail staff and digital marketing assistants thanks to the NHS’s Individual Placement and Support (IPS) scheme.

The scheme supports people with bipolar, major depression or those who have a personality disorder get into employment.
Colin has been receiving mental health support since 2007 and was helped by the scheme.

‘Having previously lost my job, I felt like I had lost a part of myself, like I didn’t know who I was or where I fit in society.

Working again has helped me in so many ways from simple things such as motivation, routine and structure to other things like having a reason to get up every day, drive, earning money, being independent and respecting who and what I am.'

Colin's coach supported him with his CV and gave advice on how to apply for jobs. With this support, Colin successfully secured a role as a Bank Facilities Assistant, and he has now progressed to be a Healthcare Assistant at Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust! Colin — congratulations and welcome to the NHS! 💙

sheramber

there could be opportunities available through the scheme that are not  readily available outside it.

Surely, any help to get back into employment is worth accepting.

ViksHrks

You don't need it.

AlexandraaaK

ViksHrks said:

You don't need it.

But if it's Restart Programme, I will have to because it's mandatory