Work Programme and childcare scandal

Early evening is a popular time for calls from double glazing, energy providers and the like, as you are more likely to catch people in. However, by its very nature this programme is for people who are not working at the moment so they are probably at home part of the day!

As you say, the companies that provide this "service" are clearly not being fed the information and it almost feels as if the person had a list of names and numbers, full stop.

Was an appointment made?

Hi, I've not posted for ages, but here I am again. Hi everyone!

I, too, have been turned over to the Work Program and am finding the process extremely stressful. My initial appointment with Maximus is tomorrow from 3.30pm and I've been told to allow AT LEAST 2 hours. The Job Centre had assured me that the initial appointment would be less than an hour long (not too bad) - so obviously a communication failure there!

I'm concerned that, although the Job Cente computerised records note my health issues (deaf - not that that stops them insisting that I apply for telephone call centre jobs and warehouse work!! Also a thyroid problem which occasionally causes major disruption to my life when my medication fails. Stress can make me very ill indeed.) and also that I am only available for school hours' work. So far any thing to do with the Work Program has been outside school hours. This does not bode well.

Tomorrow I'll find out in what ways the program will impact on me and my ability to care for my son. Or even if the venues are in places accessible to deaf/ hard of hearing people, eg-if there are hearing loop systems installed. Ironically, the Job Centre had been very supportive of my own efforts to find work and acknowledged that I've been doing everything possible. I'm dreading having to go through this all over again with the Work Program people and a wee bit worried that the program will actually jeopardise my chances of eventually getting work suitable for me and for which I am qualified.

My home is currently my worksearch base as I have internet access, a specially adapted phone and no distracting noise. A friend (with adult kids, so no childcare issues) who attended an earlier version of the course with A4E had to be at the other end of town from 8.30 am to 4pm every weekday for 6 weeks. There were insufficient computers and the training was pretty poor. Everyone tended to just sit around bored. Then again, another friend who lives in Devon (no kids, disabled on strong pain-killing meds and awaiting knee-replacements) fared much better and really enjoyed the computer courses...

And yes, the main problem I've found is not the childcare issue but the scarcity of jobs and, further still, the fact that, in spite of disability legislation, able-bodied people are much higher up on the employability ladder.

Good luck for tomorrow harissa. Let us know how it goes. xx

and from me too xxx

Oops, just found that my appointment is at 2.15 for 'at least 2 hours'. The office shuts at 5pm so that's one definite cut off point, I suppose. The confusion arose because my signing-on time keeps changing (FOUR times in the last fortnight), and the job centre woman must have written my signing-on time by mistake, instead of the Work Program Time. Just as well I rechecked the actual printed letter!

Incidentally, I always used to have early morning signing times in recognition that I cannot cope with the noise levels at peak signing time; my hearing aids amplify everything, yet I still can't hear the advisor. Unfortunately everyone on the Work Program has to sign on AFTER 3pm - NO exceptions are allowed.

Sods law - my dear son is off school ill today, this time with an upset stomach and diahorrea resulting in lots of unpleasant washing this morning. (Now I feel sick too!) The only available GP appointment would be when I'm likely to be at the Work Program. I'm constantly having these conflicts. I daren't change the Work Program appointment as I've been worrying so much about it that I just want it over and done with. The urgent appointment to discuss my son's school work has also had to be put on hold until I know what hours I'll be expected to attend the Work Program.

At the moment I feel that everyone wants a bit of me but there's just not enough of me to go round!

Well folks, I'm pleasantly surprised to report that my introductory meeting with Maximus went very well.

This first appointment was was mainly to assess what stage I'm at, the experience and qualifications I have, my health, childcare issues, etc. Although I brought with me all the information and documentation they'd requested, they didn't look at it today but could see that I was well prepared. Also had various forms to complete and boxes to tick. I mentioned one work obstacle being my son's unresolved health issues. Now that's on their records it can be taken into account.

I felt that some people would find some of the questions a bit too personal, ie- those concerning alcohol or illegal drug consumption. Would someone actually admit to drug use? Who would that information be shared with? The police, their doctor, social services?

As I left home, 2 job applications arrived in the post so I had the benefit of being able to demonstrate the type of work I've been applying for. It probably helped that I turned up wearing my smart interview clothes (apart from my 18 year old boots,  oops!)

The staff members who dealt with me today were very friendly, professional and reassuring. In fact their comments were confidence-inspiring and left me feeling that they will help me obtain the work I really want to do, rather than expect me to take some poorly-paid fob-off.

Although I'm under their scheme for 104 weeks (2 years), the precise nature of the program has yet to be revealed. They expect me to spend at least 15 hours each week actively looking for work, which sounded quite a chunk until I added up what I've been doing already. I'm probably already putting in that amount of time, though with nothing to show for it! I have to keep a much more detailed job search diary, than the job centre signing-on booklet.

I believe I'm also expected to cold-call companies - something which really does make my flesh creep. I always feel sorry for the poor sod on the other end of the line who has to field the call and who generally has no authority to do anything about it in any case. My son, however, would LOVE to phone up complete strangers - he's seen Phonejacker! Reckon I could subcontract it to him!

My next appointment is in a week's time to attend their presentation of what the scheme offers and involves, plus I also have to bring in the job diary. Hoping that they will offer specific courses to update certain skills which are a bit rusty. I've noticed a lot of the school admin jobs I've applied for mention that a First Aid certificate is desirable, so that's one thing I've requested. Whether it's on offer is a different matter.

One of the women I saw was pretty hot on disability issues, impressively so in fact! She will help me assess what equipment I'd require in office situations.

The manner of interaction today was very encouraging and did indicate to me that they are aiming to deliver an individual-tailored program. However, I also got a strong impression that the Work Program has been rushed through before it was really ready to be launched, which would explain the lack of communication between Job Centres and Program providers. For example, today's venue was in a temporary office, the real one still in the process of being fitted out. The staff had literally started work yesterday and seemed very enthusiastic. So it's all new for everyone!

I'm hoping that my initial impressions are an accurate reflection of how it will continue, but we shall see... I'll report back as things progress.

I am so pleased that it turned out yo be a positive meeting!

Good luck! It will be interesting to know how your interview goes.

Several of my friends were informed at the same time as me that they were also being switched to the Work Program but, to date, I'm the only one actually at this stage. They keep getting told they will be told more  in the following week...

I looked again at the paperwork earlier and I'm starting to get a bit anxious about how I can prove how much time I spend job searching.The forms provided seem to relate to cold-calling employers. I do tend to put quality over quantity, prefering to spend proper time and attention in completing application forms for the few genuinely suitable jobs,rather than dashing off a production line of bilge. I do hope I'm not going to be forced to compromise my reputation in order to meet assinine targets!

It's bad enough being expected to telephone for telephone-answering jobs when I have this damned hearing-impairment. Today my hearing is so bad I can't use my home phone at all. No amount of amplification equipment helps on days like this as my ears have simply stopped working. I'm hoping I'll be able to hear better tomorrow.

Having to prove 15 hours jobsearch activity has now gone to my number one barrier to finding work. Grrrr!

I am sorry to hear that your hearing is worse today. I would agree that quality SHOULD be preferable to quantity and it seems eminently sensible to spend time and trouble completing forms for relevant jobs.

AS far as time goes, 15 hours is 3 hours per weekday so I would suggest you have a think about what activities you would possibly do DAILY (eg look online at various sites) and therefore that will account for part of your daily total, say 45 mins?) and which you will do weekly (eg go to Job Centre, walk round town and look in shop windows) and which twice weekly (walk/bike round local area to look for ads, go to local library and look at newspapers) and then get an exercise book and have a double page per week and putting in this "standard" activities and the time they take will then narrow down the amount of time you have left in your 15 hours to use for other things eg forms and calls

Thanks J6767, I shall indeed follow that up.

A while back I chose to switch to Sky Talk (£5 extra each month) so I could have unlimited phone use during the day (and, at no extra cost, can call friends and relatives abroad should I choose). I avoid phoning mobile numbers and 0844/5 and 0870 numbers mainly because they are so expensive but also because I have huge difficulty making out what people are saying if they're on a mobile,on account of the background noise.

I do feel quite torn as I genuinely want a job (decently-paid at that, none of that 'disabled people should working for less than the minimum wage' lark recommended by MP) Philip Davies. I would like to expand my ability to work and that would involve knowing what specialist hearing-equipment is available and practical in work situations. BUT there are times when my ears just pack up and my balance goes too. In those situations, no amount of amplification helps and my ability to work is undeniably, and frustratingly, impaired. Stress, noise, large open echoey spaces, and bustle are definite triggers so I manage my life in a way to keep on even keel.

While I appreciate any assistance Maximus could give me in my search, I fear being pressured in ways which would prove counterproductive to me.

They phoned this morning with a job for me to apply for - in a prison where I know some of the inmates' families. I've had a lot of trouble over the years as a victim of criminal activity (some very severe) and have been trying to leave the area for some time, for my family's safety. Would getting that job cause further risk to our lives, I wonder?

The induction session went well.

I pointed out that so far all the sessions had clashed with the school run and asked if allowances would be made for single parents who had childcare responsibilities. Was pleased by the answer - there are sessions at different times of day so, if a single parent explains the situation, their needs would be accommodated and they'd be assigned to a more suitable time.

I'm not impressed by the lack of communication between the Job Centre and the Work Program, though. A couple of people found they were supposed to be in both places at once. They were told they could sign on afterwards but one person's signing-on location was on the other side of town. One of my friends had to be there in the morning and later on in the afternoon. As it is I have to go back in to town again tomorrow to sign on. It eats into the day! :o(

The issue I had about endangering my family's security if I went for the recommended job was dealt with very easily. There is something called "Worksafe" where people will not be made to take work which could harm them. I'm actually quite torn that I couldn't apply for that job as, if it had been anywhere else, there would have been no problem. It would, in fact, have been a very good job for me. The advisor took my word for it, which was a relief, as it spared me having to bring up the full dreadful story.

Thanks Louise.

It helps that the environment and ethos there does seem, at this stage at least, to be quite friendly. Questions were positively encouraged and answered in a helpful manner. It was completely different to the dreadful Job Club stories I'd heard from reliable sources.

The staff I've met so far are very professional and personable and seem capable to dealing with the range from the poorly skilled to the highly qualified. That is a significant shift, in my experience, as I fall into the highly qualified category which has tended to be overlooked in previous schemes.

There is one change which is crucial:

The job centres MUST be properly informed about what is going on. The job centres are the first contact jobseekers have when being passed on to the Work Program and, of course, will be expected to have answers to people's questions. Every member of staff I've met in my local job centre has no idea what the Work Program providers are doing.It is clear that the job centre staff are finding the confusion of this transitionary period quite stressful. I'm wondering, also, if they are worried that they themselves may lose their jobs as a direct consequence of the new scheme.

These agencies to talk to each other and I'm surprised that something as basic as this seems to have been overlooked.

Hi Harissa

Unfortunately, through no fault of the advisors at the jobcentre, there is little information to inform anyone, let alone us single parents about.  I don't think the government have thought that the people at the jobcentre need to know much about the providers and how the programmes will be run.

J6767, that is awful that your advisor forgot to mention such a crucial point. Wow - that could have resulted in so many problems for you.  Hope everything is sorted now. (not sure if I missed a post from you on this - haven't been online much again in the past week and just catching snippets here and there).

Hi Ladies,

I have found a hubpage which lists a complaint regarding A4E provider at Southport, Laura this will be great feeback as to what is actually happening. I've been referred to Ingeus today, lets hope its better than the hell hole A4E!

http://hubpages.com/hub/a4e-complaint

I'll let you know what is happening with Ingeus when I finally see them!

Helly13 x

Hi J6767,

Take comfort if you can, I too am in the same position as yourself. My son is 12 and what will happen over the school holidays is definately no laughing matter. I've applied for 8 part time retail positions this week alone. I can't go back to full time work as my Parents are elderly-one with Vascular Dementia. Not an envioroment that a child needs to be in. There is so little information regarding these placements and whether they will take into account the jobseekers requirements.

I am alarmed at the A4E provider in Southport, with nice people having to mingle with drug pushers and users. I've never met one. I hope the Ingeus is better.

Chin up , keep me posted with your experiences.

Helly

Hi 

I just joined this forum, having had some dialogue with Laura of SPAN offlist. I'm a home educating single parent, following prospective benefit changes very closely. 

Hi J6767,

I too feel the same way. I have a 12 year old who needs care over the holidays. I feel its a case of neither wanting to make a decision on this matter, well hate to inform them they are going to have to act on this fast! I didn't speak to Ingeus, mobile went to voicemail...The woman who rang sounded as those she was reading from a script, are they so thick they can't speak without one. If this is the calibre of the staff I can see me butting heads with them. I will not be talked down to or patronised when like yourself; we have worked in a skilled job. Just by unfortunate circumstances we find ourselves unemployed, it isn't a crime... So I will just have to wait for the letter with the appointment.

If you google hubpages A4E compaint, you will see whats happening in the Southport provider, thank heavens I'm not with them, utterly useless they are and counterproductive.

Helly13

There was a strike at the High School here on Wednesday, I had a twelve year old lad who 'turned up' here, and I do know him and knows his Mum works full time.

Desperate phone calls later as he wasn't at home when she got home - she had told him not to go out.

How anyone can say that a child of twelve is ok alone, never mind a 7-year old are simply out of order.

Media hype, sadly, which the government has listened to.

I think 16 should never have been changed.

Hi Louise,

My boy is pretty self sufficient, but it only takes once for them to make a mistake and it could be a fatal. I almost lost my boy through a tonsillectomy, he haemorrraged (we both have a platlet disorder I've had 3 haemorrages). So I just couldn't risk anything. perhaps I am over protective. I do understand what with the work and no support, its a difficult call. :o)

I don't think anyone would say you are over-protective, Helly. Each parent will make their own judgement on their child and also it depends where you live. In a little cul de sac like this, with loads of neighbours he knows, it is easier for my boy than if we lived on a busy road or somewhere more isolated for example. Other factors, such as your son's platelet disorder are obviously significant. I think that is why they haven't made a defintive law.

Good luck with your interview