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These welfare reforms are hitting single parents badly. I am on a ruthless WP in Bristol where they intimidate and bully 'customers'. 20 something work 'advisors' who sanction at whim. It takes talent to MOTIVATE people into job readiness and I see precious little talent at my 'provider'. Standards need to be set nationally to stop this legalised humiliation and abuse.
totally agree singlemumma i might aswell take a stick for my advisor so he can prod me with it and when i react can sanction me again, another guy on the works placement is 61 as attended every day carrying sofas and cupboards around all day he does a full days work does not have internet at home but they sanctioned him today for failing to job search while on the placement its disgusting i hope someday the truth will come out about the shocking way they are treating job seekers and they will have to answer for it but i have my doubts
not had any official notice yet that they have sanctioned but thinking i have been the reason i was thinking cab is despite being provoked i was shouting and abusive towards him they will no doubt throw threatening behaviour in there although i never actually threatened him or anyone else, so maybe i am wasting my time even trying to appeal as i admit being abusive i am going to complain about him but i think even if they do let me change advisor the next one will be just as obnoxious this i think is the so called intense program i have got where i am even scared to go in and hand the doctors sick note in incase they tell me they wont except it or something but my depression as comeback on me all through this 1 advisor but its good of all you to try and help am grateful the works placement is really hard work now lots of removals but i have enjoyed it, good church going bosses shame its been spoilt by all this worrying thx to clown of a so called advisor
Hope you get some news today amars.
i got sanctioned despite job centre not informing me cab phoned up to find out for me the sanctioned was stopped when i informed job centre i had doctors sick note but that still means i have a 2 week wait before any money thats providing dwp except me onto esa which is a worry if they dont cause i had bizzare change of circumstances letter also today from dwp telling me from 30 july 2013 jsa will be £64.15 i think thats there way of telling me i am on a 3 month sanction despite no mention of sanction or how to apply for hardship allowance and they cant even get the year right sorry i know i am being a mither just into emergency credit for electric already and i dont want too sound ungrateful cause im not beggars cant be choosers and i would not be eating today without them but what i got from the foodbank wont last too long maybe 3 days and my lad is not keen on what they gave us he will being missing out on his fruit and yogurts for the forseeable future
Hello amars it does sound like there will be a delay with the money coming through, but I am hoping you still have your Child Tax Credit and your Child Benefit to help with the food situation. Are you able to go back to the foodbank soon? Get in touch with your local Salvation Army (click and do a search to find your nearest one) as they will often be able to provide some food or other help to tide you over. It is a disgrace that people in our (still rich) country are having to get help like this, but think of it as a thing you are having to do because the Job Centre messed up.
A number of you have posted about Jobsmatch. I thought you would want to see the article in todays Guardian newpaper that says the Government plans to scrap Jobsmatch. They are going to do this (but still take two years!) because of the number of fake jobs. http://www.theguardian.com/money/2014/mar/16/dwp-jobs-website-universal-jobsmatch
Parents have also told me that it is not good for finding a spread of jobs including part-time work. As the Government goes back to develop a new jobsite let me know what you think and I will pass it on. Also have you been sanctioned for not using the site? If the site is inadequate should people be directed to use it to find work?
Let me know what you think.
Laura
thats good news for me its horrendous suspected long time lots of jobs are bogus after a week you see them rehashed as new despite sending cv you hear nothing app my sanction is for not job searching while on a placement which is disgusting cause i think i put in for 5 jobs same week even had comeback on 1 who emailed to say they could not open my office document but cause that advisor claims he has asked me several times to put company email add which he has not he is lying he claims i am not really applying for the jobs just making them up, been to cab but i dont know what is going to happen think i have complicated things getting a doctors sick note and applying for esa but i am hoping cab are going to complain about this advisor and the job centre treatment did not even bother to let me know i was sanctioned and why my head is in bits with it all shame i have had to miss the last week on the placements really wanted to complete but this week is now all about worrying bout feeding and bathing my lad managed to get £68 from the council which i pick up tomorrow
Hopefully the CAB will make a complaint regarding this advisor amars, it sounds like really clear guidance for all advisors and jobseekers is what is needed so these things don't keep happening. Hope you get your money sorted soon.
Ladies,
When I was claiming and coerced to use the UJM site to log all activity. A few tips. I would log ALL applications, and also any on UJM that didn't automatically log on their site when you applied via UJM. Always raise any issues when you go for an appointment keep a paper copy of incidents and duplications of applications. I found a written down list of sites on the left hand side of the page and days of the weeks running across the top so that you can tick the sites you have visited per day -this helps clarifiy your job seeking. Treat the whole job searching in a business like fashion and show the JCP your efforts in being organsied and professional state of mind. This helped me. My advisor said to me she wished all claiments adopted the same logical and organised approach. I know some advosors seem hell bent on provocation but please keep calm and pretend you are being interviewed for a job. It does help honestly. I always went in smarlty dressed.
Ladies,
When I was claiming and coerced to use the UJM site to log all activity. A few tips. I would log ALL applications, and also any on UJM that didn't automatically log on their site when you applied via UJM. Always raise any issues when you go for an appointment keep a paper copy of incidents and duplications of applications. I found a written down list of sites on the left hand side of the page and days of the weeks running across the top so that you can tick the sites you have visited per day -this helps clarifiy your job seeking. Treat the whole job searching in a business like fashion and show the JCP your efforts in being organsied and professional state of mind. This helped me. My advisor said to me she wished all claiments adopted the same logical and organised approach. I know some advosors seem hell bent on provocation but please keep calm and pretend you are being interviewed for a job. It does help honestly. I always went in smarlty dressed.
Helly 13,
Thank you for sharing your tips about Jobsmatch. I agree the importance of working within the system that we currently have. It is important not to get sanctioned as posts on the forum show utterly miserable that can be.
Wouldn't it be great if the Jobcentre and Universal Jobsmatch were more focused on helping people into sustainable work rather than being about process? I remain really concerned about the lack of quality part-time or flexible jobs on Jobsmatch. Some jobcentres also seem to concentrate on the number of jobs applied for rather than jobs that might also fit around the responsibility of looking after a child.
End of slight rant.
Laura
Hi Laura
I agree the box ticking element seems to takes over the quality of the due process. It is all about how many applications over quality of application.
you were right about cab helly 2 weeks later still not lodged a appeal last time i asked they just advised me too contact dwp waste of time will have to do it by myself basically only thing cab did for me was actually find out that i did have a sanction as dwp did not tell me anything just stopped my money
Hi again
Still not getting anywhere with job centre and now this new 'Help to Work' scheme has begun, they seem even less co-operative than before. My child is now 16 and, although still having health issues have been informed that I no longer have the right to see a lone parent adviser - is that true? Feel railroaded. All this compulsory 30 hour a week buisness is adding to my depression and, as well as taking tablets, am now on list for counselling - I just need to meet daughter from school until end of June and not disrupt her routine too much until after the GCSE's are over . She is under stress now and that always makes her health problems worse. Feel end of tether here and worried about sanctions too - do they stop housing benefit as well as JSA? Thanks
Hi avallen
Sorry to hear your feeling so stressed, i'm not sure about you no longer being able to see a lone parent advisor as there have been some changes very recently, i will check with Laura who knows more about the recent changes and let you know.
Are you unable to be signed of JSA wth your health problems? Can understand you wanting to be there for your daughter at this unsettling time for her. Your Housing benefit should not be effected by any sanctions, it will trigger a notice to them that there has been a change in circumstances, so if you ever were sanctioned it would be a good idea to notify them about it just to make sure there is no disruption to your housing benefit.
Avallen,
Yes the 'Help to Work' Government scheme came in yesterday. This involves any claimaint who has been unemployed for three years who will need to do a community work placement, visit the Jobcentre everyday or commit to doing further training. If someone does not comply then they can lose four weeks of JSA (although as Sally has said this should not impact any housing benefit). Although your daughter is 16 you can still request that you restrict your hours of involvement in the 'help to work' scheme and if you think that you are too unwell to participate then you should let the Jobcentre know (and you would need to provide evidence and get agreement with the Jobcentre). You do not have a right to see a Lone Parent Adviser but if you are not happy with the person you have seen then do ask to see a manager. In terms of your daughters wellbeing perhaps a letter from the headteacher or head of year at her school would help and in terms of your health (and your daughters) a letter from your GP.
All the best.
Laura
hello,
am back again. I ought to have updated this as Laura was so very kind and helpful and performed an absolute miracle by contacting people on my behalf and thus my JCP adviser/coach was instructed to restrict my work availability between now and the end of the summer term so I can meet my daughter from school.
It has been such a relief not to worry about that!! Am due for a 'review' on 29th July at which time (I have been told) 'all restrictions will be removed' and i will again be expected to apply for 30 jobs a week and be available (day or night) to work for 40+ hours a week
Given that my daughters health issues are not likely to evaporate between now and the school holidays, I don't think I will be in a position to agree to sign a claimant commitment that states that - and also I don't entirely see where they are coming from with that?
have looked online at some parliamentary pages, and DWP and they seem quite reasonable, stating that caring responsibilties CAN be taken into account even for 16+ years, but I suppose it depends on what the JCP adviser wants rather than what individuals may actually need?
I shouldnt fret as, in theory, I have 4/5 weeks to find a job, but at 56 and (seemingly) none of the 'right' qualifications (and no NVQ's) it isn't as easy as I would like it to be...
does anyone know whether you can ask to restrict your hours to days? there is absolutely no way I could leave my daughter on her own at night and most people work during the day so it doesn't seem that unreasonable to me - mind you, neither does 25-35 hours as a maximum!!
Thank you
Hello Avallen,
Glad to have been some help.
Yes, Jobcentres should take account your caring responsibilities even where you have an older child (it should be automatic until your child reaches 13 although this is not always the case!). It should also not be just dependent on who the adviser that you see. Children's well-being should be protected. What you and others in similar circumstances need to do is provide the evidence that you need to be there for your child (for instance from a doctor or school) including being able to pick them up from school or not leaving for a long period (including in the evening). Having to apply for 30 jobs a week also seems counterproductive. Tell your adviser this and that you need to be there for your daughter and ask that your claimant commitment reflects these caring responsibilities. Working full-time seems unreasonable. If your adviser will not take note then ask to speak to the Manager or how you can complain (you have a right to have your claimant commitment reviewed by another adviser).
Let me know how things go.
Laura
Am really sorry about this but am so wound up and worried sick (again) and in need of some advice - and probably a whole lot more!!
I had a dreadful encounter with a smiling adviser this morning, and it would seem to be an indication of what is to come in a couple of weeks time and I do not know what to do about it
Went to sign on this morning, feeling anxious (always am there) but quietly confident because I had managed to find and apply for 24 jobs for the week and my current quota is 20.
Not good enough apparently (??) a I was 'advised' that I had to apply either for the job of a Supervisor for Costa Coffee or as a Factory Assistant in local chocolate factory which is about 10 miles away
I didn't have the necessary experience for Coffee shop supervisor, so that left the Choc factory. The adviser completed the form online then showed me a list of shifts they had available, none of which fitted in with my current restrictions of 0930 to 1400. I mentioned this and was told that didn't matter as by the time the paperwork had gone through, all my restrictions would have been lifted....
A shift of 7am to 3pm was selected for me (its about an hour by bus from Bus Station, so would be leaving at approx. 05.30 AM) but IS Monday to Friday I suppose?? I was also told that, once restrictions were lifted, if I was offered a job at the factory on a night shift I would be obliged to take it!!
Already distressed by that and concerned how my daughter would cope - or indeed me worrying about her - I saw on the Job Centre Computer screen that I am no longer down as either a parent or as having a child!!
I pointed that out too and was told that now my daughter is 16 she is not counted as a child once she leaves school and thus it cannot be logged on to the system?? I know the government want everyone to work 40 hours a week but I am at my wits end here just caught up in a whole web of worry about my situation for which it seems there is no effort to understand or compromise
I had rather hoped that, when I see the 'job coach' again in a couple of weeks that there might, at least, be some leeway for me to be available for 40 hours a week during the day - but it is looking highly unlikely
All this is not doing my health any favours either I went back to the Dr last week but all she could offer was stronger anti depressants plus some different tablets to help with the chronic indigestion I've been having
I don't see how they can ignore the restrictions of the current claimant contract or not take into account the fact that I have caring responsibilities?
I really am happy to work although I appreciate it may not sound like it but - at the moment - it would just be helpful if I could work days, why is that such a difficult request? I'm in pieces again here and don't know what to do
Have thought of signing off for a couple of weeks, but would probably be a nightmare to sign back on, have heard horror stories where people have tried that and not been re-assessed for 12 weeks!!
It would be very much a last resort but, if I don't find paid work soon, I don't know what will happen
Hi Avallen, sorry to hear that your still getting so much stress from the Job Centre, i' not sure that they can say that you are no longer responsible for your daughter will she not continue in education or training until she is 18? If you are still in receipt of child benefit/tax credits for her i would say your still responsible for her.
Avallen,
Sorry to hear about your experience. It seems totally unfair that you are being asked to apply for work that is outside your Claimant Commitment. As you say your daughter needs you and they have recognised that in your Agreement. I would complain and ask to see the manager. You also have the right for your Agreement to be reviewed by a different adviser if you think it is unreasonable.
You might want to get your doctor to write a note to JCP saying that the pressure you are being put under is affecting your depression.
Laura
avallen. Be strong for your daughter. hug.
I do worry about policies that diminish the role of parents. It appears that children are not even reconised as children when it suits. Children as young as 12 or 13 are expected to fend for themselves to allow their single mothers to work or even take part in compulsary "voluntary" work or work programmes. Young people over 16 still need a great deal of support especially if they are to continue in education. It is a contradiction in policy when young people upto the age of 25 are seen as dependent when it means money can be saved. It is particuarly difficult for single parents as they are still expected to provide support however they are no longer given support themselves. Both children of single parents and single parents themselves will suffer. This perhaps is something that the one space should bring to attention of policy makers? The role of parents goes on past the age of 16 and this should be recognised.
Avallen, sounds quite dreadful, sadly a common story these days with jobcentrers having to meet targets and seeming to focus on some individuals to get them. Keep trying and keep asking for review, as Laura was saying that is still within your right.
Pam, we do! Laura's job is precisely to lobby in parliament on behalf of single parents, and she has achieved much in the last two years. Only two days ago she presented our case at the Women and Welfare Enquiry and got some very positive feedback. But we are fighting a long battle here, and there is no question that the current political establishment is only interested in saving money, not in the welfare of individuals. We are planning more campaigning on JSA and welfare, and we need all the support we can get from people like you.
Keep at it Avallen, we are all on your side!
Hi Pam and Sergiozed
Apologies for not responding before, but we had a few days away. Still had to jobsearch (of course) but change of scene was relaxing - Thanks, too for the hug & support. Much appreciated.
Not much to say at moment. The 'Big Review' is due next Tuesday (29th) and am not looking forward to it at all 
Every week I sign on they just keep saying ' Oh your restrictions will be lifted soon' so may well be back on here asking for more advice soon!
School holidays are worrying me though, cannot see how daughter can be left alone all that time, not with all the issues...
Thanks again to everyone
Regards
Avallen
Hi avallen, really pleased to read that you have had a change of scenery that can really lift the soul.
Can you have anyone go with you to the 'Big Review' to make it feel less daunting? I am also wondering if your daughter has a friend, or you have a neighbour that could just be with her whilst you go to job centre.
Best of luck with it, we are right here if you want to come online and share how it went.
Hi Anna
Thanks for the support.
There is no-one available tomorrow to come with me to Big Review but my daugher is planning to meet up with a friend in a local Arts Centre Cafe for an hour, which is a relief
Am nervous, and will be sure to let everyone know how it goes. Confess am not looking forward to it
Regards
avallen
I was reading some guidance regarding restrictions for Job Seekers the other day, if you have care responsibilities, this is where it can be trickey, as there are specifics on what these care responsbilities are, in your case your daughter is over 16, but you can still restrict your job seeking if there is on going mental health or a health issue that can be varified by a professional i.e doctor.
You have said that your daughters health condition is not likely to right its self in the very near future i think if as long as you can prove that she has on going problems and needs you around then you should still be able to restrict your job seeking, as this would come under there guidance of somene with care responsibilities and enable you to restrict your job seeking, you can request that your job seeking agreement is changed at anytime.
Hope this helps, let us know how it goes tomorrow 
Hi Everyone
Thought would give a brief update on situation?
I saw a job centre adviser this morning. She seemed aware of my circumstances but said that, as my daughter is now 16 and not claiming PIP (?) in her own right they cannot restrict the hours any longer.
I mentioned advice from SPAN and DWP saying they should be able to take things in to account, but she said it was wrong and not the way that local job centre staff had been instructed to work and the DWP in London had got it wrong??
Given that the school holidays are upon us, I was slightly disappointed but - having said that - the adviser did at least agree that my 40 hours a week could be between 9-5 Monday to Friday...
She then kind of contradicted that by saying I was being put forward for a work placement at one of the hotels in this area. This will be between 25-30 hours a week for between 4-8 weeks but required 'flexibility' to include weekends - which would seem to contradict the Claimant Commitment she had just written?
As I do voluntary work at the British Heart Foundation in the mornings anyway, I asked if I could do my work placement there and she initially said this might be possible, but then put me forward for this Hotel placement - it is for a General Assistant, which could be working in cafe area or as room attendant etc.
Am relieved will not be forced to do nights, but puzzled too? I know original GP letter only covered term time, but it mentioned my daughters ongoing health issues, and GP said she was happy to write another letter if required - but that didn't even come into it really
Suppose I should be grateful they agreed to days but feel...? Not sure how exactly, a bit sad perhaps? Certainly worried, cos if you add travelling time to impending work placement it means 8.45 am to 3.15pm five days - and perhaps weekends?
Hmm, I wonder if I can mention the Mon-Friday part when I go for placement interview?
Regards
Avallen
PS Still, I did find out I now have to work 24 hours a week to be eligible for working tax credit, so was useful in that respect
Hi again,
Just wanted to apologize if I came across as bit ungrateful/moany etc earlier. I know there are many people out there far worse off than I am and should be thankful to have work placement offer at all and some lovely people on here have offered me great advice/support/assistance too - thanks to all of you
Regards
avallen
Hi avallen, thanks for the update, please do not think that you are moaning at all, I didn't see it, you are in a very difficult position, being given totally conflicting advice.
PIP is Personal Independence Payment it helps with some of the extra costs caused by long-term ill-health or a disability for people aged 16 to 64.
Very odd for the job centre advisor to think we and the DWP had got it wrong. I am beginning to feel ever so slightly sorry for these advisors as they really don't seem to know what is going on themselves.
Hi Anna
Oops! Sorry this should have been with message
Was mellowing towards them myself until I realised that what the adviser hadn't told me is that breaks are not included in work placement timings AND I will have to do provider led job search for up to 10 hours - either at job centre or Ingeus again (Ingeus was mentioned in passing this morning)
Add that to the 'Community Work Placement' plus travelling time to & from both CWP and Ingeus and my daughter is facing a VERY long day alone, and that is extremely worrying
Am sad at having to leave British Heart too, have volunteered there for over 2 years now and it's been brilliant! You'd think that a charity would take precedence over a large national hotel chain when it comes to Commmunity Work placements though, wouldn't you? Sign of the times I guess
That sounds rather picky of them to not include breaktimes, i suppose it does enable them to squeeze as much as they can out of you. I would of thought that you could argue the flexibility to include weekends as this is as you said not part of your jsa agreement.
Would they not be able to keep the voluntary place at British Heart open until after the work placement?
Hi
British Heart probably will keep my place open but hotel chain is just first placement in a series of 26+ weeks worth?
Anyway, have bigger worries at moment. As daughter seemed okay this morning, I went out for couple of hours but returned to find her really distressed which was upsetting for both of us
Don't know what to do, doesn't feel like I can do anything other than find a part time job and sign off asap - that way could be with her for rest of holidays and hopefully things would even out again when she starts college - easier said than done of course
Am really at end of my tether. sitting here feeling like crying but not as don't want to upset my daughter any more than she already is. Think I'll have to get another GP appointment and ask for stronger anti depressants as these don't seem to be helping much this time
Thanks
avallen
Hi Avallen, things really are difficult for you both right now. I am wondering if you might consider contacting Young Minds, they can give you some support with regards to your daughter? They can support both yourself in various ways and your daughter too.
It sounds as though things are really getting on top of you and you need a breather from it. Is there something that you and your daughter can do this evening together to take your mind off things, whether it be paint your nails, cook a favourite meal together or have a film night?
Hi Anna
Thank you for the advice. Will email them and see if they can help/advise us - as we need something
Am worried sick about idea of mandatory work placement at Premier Inn. Am due to attend 'group' interview there on Monday, for which will have to find extra money for bus fares but think may be sanctioned if I don't agree to go (agree is an odd word, as it makes it sound like there's a choice)
It will take a good 45 mins each way to get there add to the 30 hours a week actual placement and my daughter is potentially facing a VERY long time on her own each day - and will still have to job search when I get back!
She can't even cope with getting her own lunch, so will have to leave a packed lunch in the fridge each morning ...
Do you think it is worth asking the JCP adviser if I can defer it a few weeks until my daughter starts college? At least I'd know she was somewhere reasonably safe & occupied and where she could buy lunch
Still don't see why I cannot do the Mandatory placement at the British Heart Foundation? I volunteer there now, its easier to get to and they would be pleased to have me for extra hours (plus, they know about problems with my daughter, so if I needed to rush off I could and make up time later)
Just wish I could find a job really... if I wasn't doing anything I wouldn't mind, but I do work and JCP wouldn't even take that in to account!
Regards
Avallen
Gosh it is all so frustrating isn't it Avallen, I completely agree with you, you are currently working at the BHF and you should be able to carry on there as a work placement. A few people I work with are doing their placements in charity shops.
I do think it is worth asking your advisor about deferring it, don't hold your breath though, but you never know.
yes, you're right of course, it wouldnt be worth the breath
will just have to accept it, knuckle down and put on my 'happy head' as my mother used to say
sorry all, really shouldnt burden people with my problems, apologies
avallen, that is what we are here for!! To support you through the difficult times and also to continue campaigning for a fair deal for lone parents.
Please still ask your advisor about deferring, you just never know.
You are doing a great job and although it might seem as though your chips are down, things will get better.
Hi Amars as I have never had a sanction and not on JSA anymore I personally myself have not had to go through the appeal process. The Consumer Action Group members will give you the information of the process and exactly what you need to do. As Sally states the CAB will take longer , appointments are taking longer to book. You could request a Freedom of Information from the DWP too, again the Consumer Action Forum members are brilliant on this. The arsnel I kept as I listed above was advised by a member of the DWP who posts on that forum to help people. Hope that help. I just need to impress on you, you have a very shoret period to appeal, I think it is 14 days.