So I have a somewhat unique issue here. I'm supposed to be with a work programme, starting from last year. Since before Christmas they seem to have lost my scent and forgotten all about me, no appointments or anything. That's actually not the problem. I'm happy to have been forgotten by them because they make you travel a fair distance to sit at a computer for a minimum of 2 hours; job searching. Something easily done at home. Recently, however, a job centre adviser has decided to pick on me; saying that I don't apply for enough jobs per week. The last time I said there were no retail jobs I could apply for, she typed retail into indeed and tried to represent the 10'000 matches as jobs that I could apply for. I've not worked before, and my lack of experience doesn't put me in the best position for any job, but I'm confident that the multitude of management jobs aren't suitable. Nor are the one's in London it suggests for my Glasgow postcode. She's said the work programme should be helping, and that I should get on to them and tell them I'm close to being sanctioned. She's booked me in to see her next time I sign on and she's going to go through things with me with a "fine toothcomb". The woman's attitude is condescending, and despite her saying she isn't challenging me one week. The next she is saying I'm either not putting down everything I'm doing, or I'm just not doing it. I'm either incompetent or a liar, clearly. I just wonder if she really can sanction me for not being "proactive" enough, in her words. I asked her to give me a number of jobs I should apply for, she said that a set number is a fallacy. So then how can I not be applying for enough? Regardless, should I contact the Work programme and put myself on their radar again or is there a set number of jobs I should apply for realistically? Do the jobcentre and work programmes even keep in touch with each other about you? They seem to communicate to each other through the client. Most importantly, how much trouble can I get in for letting the work programme forget about me for so long? Edit: If there is scrutiny and it's discovered I haven't been to the work programme, should I be punished? My agreement says I have to go to all work programme appointments, but I haven't actually had any to go to.

Hello, I was just wondering if anyone knows what I should be doing about potential data protection breaches at work programme? I have informed my provider's manager about the issue of people storing copies of CVs on the companies PCs, (this could be down to anything, saved after downloading it from an email attatchment or just forgetting they downloaded it, and I got told they have software that wipes the computers every night that must be malfunctioning. This was about one month ago and on Friday I checked a PC which had the copies of CVs in the My Documents folder. The worst potential breach I saw on Friday however was a shared folder, stored on another PC which was accessible to everyone who used a PC, this shared folder was simply called "cv" and contains approximately 82 CVs, all of which will contain personal information including addresses, email addresses and phone numbers. I was wondering if this is something I should contact my MP about or someone else. Thanks for any help.

Hi everyone, I've seen this withdrawal of consent letter floating about, does that mean that the Work Programme cannot refer you onto any training courses with outside training people ? For example, I am with Remploy and have been referred on to a training course with another company, which I am not all that happy with. If they had a copy of the withdrawal of consent does that mean you would no longer have to attend that ? Thank you.

Hello, This is going to be quite long, so please bear with me. I stopped going to my work program almost a year ago & ceased all contact as they were useless. (I'm now working, they never helped me). Since I stopped going, I have received letter after letter after letter from them demanding I attend appointments or else. They even had the cheek to show up at my house once, which annoyed the hell out of me. Told them to sling it but still received letters demanding I attend even though I was working. All letters went straight to the bin as thought they would get the messege & p*ss off I received an email from the work programme saying the the jobcentre had contacted them (months after I started work) stating I was no longer claiming JSA so thought that would be the end of it. I never told the jobcentre where I was working & certainly weren't going to tell the work programme so they could make a massive profit over doing absolutely nothing. The letters & emails still came.. So last week, I sent them the whole withdraw consent letter from that consentme website, (7 pages long) where they also have to cease contact with me. in the hope they would finally leave me alone. Received 2 more letters demanding I attend their office, then today I finally receive a letter (I had to sign for) confirming they received my letter but I'm not entirely sure what it means. This is what it says... So, does this finally mean they wil leave me alone? Because that final sentence seems to say that I still need to attend appointments?? Will this **** ever end? Thanks for your replies in advance & apologies that this is a long post.

Hello guys, I know I don't post here much, but I want to know where I stand on my work programme advisor mandating me to find work experience despite me telling them I have no idea how to find the contacts in the industry. They did have an employer engagement officer, but he has recently left the company (after only being there for one or two months). I have been on work programme since May 2012, and it seems like they haven't done much to help me on the experience side. My impressions of this are they think it is all on me to find the experience although I have no contacts, and when ever I contact any catch all email addresses (I have to email because it is also mandated for me to copy my advisor into any contact if I don't I have done nothing) To be honest I am terrified they will query my benefits over this. I have put a complaint into the manager, but I haven't heard anything as of yet, initially it was sent though the post on April 5th, and on Tuesday I sent the exact same letter via email. Another thing I was wondering is, would it be inappropriate for me to see if my advisor would mind me making a voice recording of interviews, after one time I don't trust what she writes down, and I know if anything happens what she writes down can count against me.

Hi all, I am new to the forum and looking for some advice. I have been on the work programme since August 2011. At first I was placed with A4E then in March 2012 my A4E adviser referred me to a provider called Turning Point as I have periods of mild depression and they were more equipped to deal with mental health issues. I had regular telephone interviews with a support worker at Turning Point who said that I wasn't ready to go back to work full time and I had to deal with my issues, I suffer with no self confidence, am painfully shy when around people I do not know. Today I received a letter from Turning Point saying that as of May 1st I was being sent back to A4E as they no longer has work programme provision. I actually felt I was making progress with Turning Point but I am now scared stiff that I will be forced into things I am not yet ready for, this is making me extremely anxious. What can I expect now I am back with A4E and is there anything I can do to explain things to them, my previous adviser at A4E thought I was so aloof because of my shyness and they never understood anything about my problems. My bouts of depression are not bad enough to seek help from an doctor. Any advice anyone can give would be appreciated. Thanks

Hi.. Jobcenter are about to put me on Work Programme. I have heard nothing but bad things about this. Over the past few months I have been looking for jobs that I think I could do ( I have really severe ADHD and cannot do something mundane like sit on a till all day, I would pull my hair out) I am an actor, but aside for applying for lots of acting jobs I also look for other things, as long as they are not till based. Anyway, I am about to go on the work programme, and I have already seen the general rules ( I won't sign anything etc etc) I am also not happy to be shoved around the system by a private company, but I digress. I am also going self employed very soon. The money I need to set up my business is very little, and as such there would be no point in me looking for a full time job anymore like the work programme will invetibly attempt to hassle me in to doing. I am asking if anyone can lend any advice to keep off of this. Reasrch I have done shows that it may be unlwaful anyway? I have also read that JC can keep you with them for an extra 90 days if you are about to become employed? Any help would be appreciated, because I am damned if my ambition will be channeled into free labour for poundland!

http://thehardesthit.wordpress.com/2013/02/04/united-sector-secures-late-changes-to-pip-regulations/ Will post more information when I can find some. That's all I can find for now.

Hi all. I'm a newbie, although I've read lots of posts this is my first, so hope I don't ramble & it's in the right place. I have about 3 migraines a wk, meaning I spend 3-4 days a wk in my darkened bedroom. due to pain, made worse by movement & light. Daily Auras cause visual disturbances. Other symptoms include: unsteady, drunk like gait, episodes of not being present about 1x wkly, loss of consciousness about 1x wkly, nausea/vomiting. All this started after relocating to a new area where I know nobody and I'm totally isolated. The condition itself results in depression, the constant DWP harassment (constant since Oct'11) is making this so much worse. I first claimed ESA in Sept'09 and have had 3 WCA's - 1st: zero points overturned at tribunal appeal a year later, 15pts consciousness. 2nd: waited for 3mths for the outcome of LCW only to receive an ESA50 the next day. 3rd: zero points, overturned by GL24 appea in Novl, with help from a local disability group. On Sat the 8/12 I got a sanction letter from JC+ for failing to attend WFI, which I never received a letter. After an horrendously anxious wkend, this was overturned after to the advisor and making another appointment, which was on Fri 11/01 at 4pm. I was mandated to Seetec work programme and told to expect to hear from them in a couple of weeks. Today I received a letter from Seetec saying I failed to attend initial appointment, again no letter received (How is it ESA50's & sanction letters Arrive?), with a new date & time and saying I'll be there for 2-3 hrs. However this is impossible as I didn't leave JC+ until 16:45 Fri, unless this was put in motion on the 8/12? Also it is in a different town to stated in Action Plan, due to Meds no way can get there for 9am, no contact tel number included in letter. I'm seriously at my wits end with all this, any help/advice would be appreciated.

Hi, I am looking for some advice regarding my advicer at the work programme as she made me 2 appointments but I don't know which 1 to attended I am worried and confused. 1) The first appointment she made me is Attend drop in session for Job search on 14/01/2013 at 09.00 and it says on the letter this is mandatory Appointment which I recived on 05/01/2013. 2) She sent me a email on tuesday as she book me the appointment for the cleaning course on the same day but at 09.30 Which 1 do I attended? I am worried as the 1st one is Mandatory and if I don't attended this then I am worried my Jobseekers will get sanctioned. Just looking for some advice, btw I would have rang her during the week but been very busy due to personal reasons which I can't say on here. Any help would be great, cheers. Regards Shaun

Hi everyone, I am new on here so not sure how this works but looking for some help regarding this question and would be greatfull if any of you could answer it for me I am currently on Jobseekers and in January of this year (2012) I been put on the work programme by jobcenter and its by bootstrap, not sure if any of you heard of it? anyway I believe it lasts for 2 years, well what happens when I finished the all 2 years if I haven't found a job by then (which I hope as I hate been on JSA as i need a job ASAP) Do I go back to signing weekly as at the moment since I am on Work Programme I sign fortnightly or will Jobcentre closed my claim? I really hope they don't close my claim as I am living on my own in my flat (as I moved in this January and I am loving it on my own) and I don't want to loose my flat and be homeless if they stopped my claim after the work programme as I am worried, should I be worried? Also what really annoyes me is I have applyed for loads of Jobs and never get any responses, its so annoying, anyone agree? Any advice would be great thank you.

I'm writing on behalf of my partner. Cut a long story short, he is on ESA WRAG (IR) for severe depression and anxiety. He has been claiming for just under 3 years now, he has failed all 3 medicals, but succesfully gained enough points at tribunal to be awared ESA. (with the help of me and his father, and a rep from cab). He is worried sick about the new mandatory work programme and work placements he can be put on, and if he refuses, the sanctions he will face. We are in no position to be sanctioned, but he is also in no position to be, (well the equivalent) of working full time. My partner is on high dose Anti-D's aswell as going to group therapy twice a week (one is CBT), and counselling once a week. The counselling is 2 hours in the middle of the day (12-2) and it takes an hour transport there and back. The group therapy is 10-4 and takes the same amount of time, if not a bit longer. My partner cannot use public transport on his own without panic/anxiety attacks or just breaking down and wondering around aimlessly. I go to all these appointments with him (luckily they are both close to his parents, so I stay in theirs while he is in the app until it's time to pick him up again. He had been waiting for the counselling and group therapy for over 2 years, they all only started in the last 3-4 months. Partner has been mentally ill since his early childhood, has seen many psychologists/psychiatrists and counsellors, none of which have helped. He has been on many different types of anti-depressants over the cause of about 6-7 years, none of which have made any significant change. He has never worked, never finished a project in his life, left school with no gcse's, attempted college courses but never completed any. When he fails something (which is often), this spirals him into a very dark place. One were he secretly plans his own suicide etc. Not one that is pleasant. My main concern is, if he put on a work programme or work placement, what will they do about the app my partner has throughout the week? Will they make him stop these appointments? He finds the counselling/group therapy VERY stressful, so having to 'work' every day, when he isn't at his appointments also worries me, as he needs a day off. I'm not sure how my partner is expected to get to the job center on his own, nevermind work programmes and work placements? Partners doctor is quite helpful, though, and I, aswell as him, beleive my partner COULD get into work, with the right help, and slowly into it, however being forced into something like this, is not something I think will help him in the slightest, and I worry it will put him back in that dark place. Dr is convinced we are stretching the truth, and it will not be as bad as we say it will be (and many others saying it will be). I'm very worried of my partners wellbeing. And I doubt he will ever make the support group. Any advice? Sorry in advance, I'm both tired and very stressed.

Hey all, Just looking for some advice regarding this issue, first of all let me say that I am not causing for a argument. now what it is I wear this slogan tshirt at the work programme (NOBODY KNOWS I'M GAY) but a few weeks ago I got told to remove the tshirt as one of the advicers said that its not setting a good example of getting me back into work, was she correct? how on earth has that got to do looking for work? everyone can wear what they want but I feel its discrimination. do any of you agree? I will not wear the tshirt at interviews obviously but I should be allowed what to wear when I am not at interviews! Just looking to see if you agree with my advicer if you felt she was right or wrong? if she is wrong could I go to citizen advice about this issue? Thanks Regards Shaun

As seen on BBC1 news, 878,000 on programme in 13 months, 31,000 in employment 6months or more just 3.5% Labour claim its more like 2% http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20499836

Hi everyone. When you're on the Work Programme, should you see the same advisor for the duration of your time on it? Obviously I know if they leave that is something that can't be helped. But as long as they are there, should you see the same person each time? The advisor I'm seeing at the moment is great. Asked yesterday if I would stay on said advisors caseload, and got told that he's not going to sit there and say to anyone that "yes they will see him all the time". Put a bit of a dampener on my mood. I have issues with confidence and being juggled between advisors doesn't help. Maybe I'm just being stupid, but I think that's part of the reason I find the job centre so unhelpful. The fact you never see the same person each week, so you can't build up a proper supportive relationship. You constantly have to go through the same information over and over again with different people. Did get told in my first appointment by my advisor that I have to feel comfortable challenging him with stuff. So this is one thing what I want to try and get across how much seeing a different advisor would hinder my progress rather than benefit me. So far though, I've not got far. It is of course something that may or may not happen. So far, it has been him what I've seen each time I've gone in. But that worry is there in the back of my mind, and the fact now that he said he's not gonna sit there and say "yes you will definitely be staying with me" has just increased my worry further. I suffer with anxiety, and this does not help matters. I remember on the previous New Deal programme. I discussed the issue with the advisor I saw on that. He absolutely bent over backwards to make sure I remained on his caseload. I know I've probably just rambled on here an extreme lot - but I know there are probably quite a few JCP or Work Programme advisors what use this forum, so wanted to see what your advice would be? Plus what has been the case where you work? Do you tend to keep the same caseload? Have there been any times where caseloads have changed, but you have kept certain customers for one reason or another? Thank you.

Ingeus seem to think that my fortnightly signing on at the Jobcentre is separate. My contract is with the Jobcentre and not Ingeus. They (Ingeus) expect 3 jobs applied and declared to the Jobcentre and then as many jobs as they say I must apply for and declare applications to them on paper unless I want to be reported to the Jobcentre for possible sanctions. Are they allowed to force me to make many, many applications far in excess of what my Jobseeker Agreement stipulates? I always exceed the mininum requirements for activity that the Jobcentre expect of me. Has anyone made a request for info on this to DWP Central FoI Team regarding this?

Hello CAG forum, I have been on the work programme with Ingeus for sixteen weeks now and so have been transferred to a company called The Big Training company for eighteen weeks on their Vocational Routeways programme. I was given little information from Ingeus so I went on the internet and have found very little information there either other than the fact that I will be completing BTC modules to earn specific qualifications. I have a referral with the company on the 22nd of October but I am very inquisitive and would like some information before then. I was given a sheet of paper with the different routeways on it and there are several modules within those routeways that I wouldn't mind pursuing. Can anybody give me some insight into these routeways and how this all works please? I have a few related questions. A) How many of these modules can I complete within the 18 weeks that I am with the company? B) Can I mix and match the modules from each routeway? For example, I would like to develop my skills in customer facing environments but I also wouldn't mind working towards a food hygiene certificate. C) How are these modules carried out? How would I go about achieving these qualifications? D) Am I going to need to re-do specific things? For example, I noticed there are options to do certain functional skills which I have already achieved in the past. Thank you very much for your help in advance. Please only reply if you are going to give advice. I am serious about this and would like to achieve things within this training programme and I would appreciate it if people could help me to understand the programme before I go to the company on the 22nd. - Mark

Unbelievably, I posted this thread nearly 2 years ago :- http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?284285-No-experience-no-job-no-experience. Unfortunately, despite taking and using all the advice given my poor daughter still doesn't have a job and we're getting desperate enough to ask JCP for help. Apparently, as a carer (she gets carer's allowance and IS) she could volunteer for the work programme. However, having read some horror stories we're very wary. For example, if she volunteers to join, is it then compulsory? Could they sanction her benefits if she couldn't turn up because she's in A & E with me or if she refused a course because it was too many hours? Even if they technically can't do that, how likely are Work Programme advisors to have any experience of dealing with carers? Are they going to just push her into caring jobs because that's the easiest option? Does anyone know of any more guidance about support for carers other than the standard DWP leaflet? Or have any other suggestions at all?

Hello all. 5 Weeks ago I was rushed into hospital with severe chest pains and crushing sensation and they found issues with my ECG test. I was kept in overnight, blood tests and Xrays were done. After being seen by the specialist and told I would need an angiogram to asses wether I had Angina, narrowing of the arteries which could be serious and need stenting or major bypass surgery. They stated my liver was producing way over the usual rate of cholesterol and this could be the cause of the narrowings. After being prescribed with Aspirin daily to stop clotting, Beta blockers to slow my heart, Statins to help lower my cholesterol, and a Spray for emergency in case of another attack. I am still getting pains, weakness and fear of another attack from the pain, and wish not to drive on a possible heart attack. I made a temporary claim for ESA until i can get the stents and treatment required. Before this I was in studies for self employment from which a back to work program I was on would possibly be funding part of my course to help. Now i am on ESA, hopefully temporarily and do not need to sign on at my local Jobcentre, but have been told by, the company I was with for the back to work program that I still need to turn up with them. At first my advisor told me she would contact me by phone and see how things were once a month, but now they want me in regularly, this is worrying because I have recently recieved a letter stating how long the sanctions last, due to 2 missed appointments with them, that we thought were down to anxiety attacks at first. im 41 with an 8 and 6 year old, so you can probably understand my stress. Specialist said get some rest until I can get treated and not to stress too much but wow how things can change so fast. not sure where i stand or who I can speak to but the last thing i need are sanctions on the family at this time. Any help and info here is much appreciated. Andy J

Got what looks like a standard letter from the DWP (in Belfast) about my non-attendance of the Work Programme, it's just basically information about the different levels of santions. Is this just to scare me into going back to Ingeus? Haven't had an appointment letter since the DWP (this time the Watford one) sent me a letter asking for my reasons for not attending. Can't remember what i wrote, something about being fed up of being builled into doing stuff i don't want too! I shall probably attend if they sent me a letter, but i'll be well prepaired to say "NO" to things, all i want is a job like everyone else!

Hi everyone, any advice on this problem would be greatly appreciated. My son is currently in receipt of Jobseekers allowance,he lives with his partner and their 2 children.Last week he had a work programme appointment,he received a phone call in the morning from somewhere he had sent an application for a job to asking him to come for an interview,the time of the interview left him ample time to still go to the work programme,however the job interviews ran late and he had no credit on his phone to notify the people at the work programme,he arrived 9 minutes late and was told his jobseekers allowance would be sanctioned for 1 month,he explained the reason why he was late and was told to put it in writing,he did this and gave the name and phone number of the person who had carried out the job interview,he has received a letter saying going for an interview was not a good enough reason for him being late,they have never contacted the employer.This just seems crazy to me,he's on Jobseekers,he has to apply for a certain number of jobs or they sanction his money yet when he goes for an interview they still sanction it,he has applied for hardship money and has been given £80,ironic thing is that at his last work programme meeting they left him waiting for 50 minutes because they had no-one available to see him so it's ok for them to see him late but not the other way round.