I got given this survey to fill out today :-/

I've been sanctioned! I knew it would happen. I've lost a months money.

Maybe if I had been allowed to send the letter I wrote (see two posts below) this wouldn't have happened. Then again, I'm not so sure.

I did receive a reply to the email I wrote complaining about this issue, but only after 7 days, and that was only after I'd sent a prompting email asking when they were going to reply.

This is what I got back-

Thank you for your email communication received 30/01/13 concerning your case being referred to a Decision maker.

You have asked to be provided with the contact details for the Decision Making and Appeals (DMA) team and to be provided with a case reference number relating to the referral of your case.

Unfortunately I am unable to provide you with a direct contact number for the DMA team as phone numbers are for internal use only. Once a decision has been made on your claim you will receive a letter which will explain the decision made and the next steps you can take if you are unhappy with the decision, you will also be provided with all necessary contact details at this stage.

I should explain that because of the impartial status of Decision Makers, I am unable to intervene in the decision making or appeal process.  Individual cases of doubt are decided by specialist Decision Makers who have the necessary training, knowledge and expertise to act on behalf of the Secretary of State. Their decision are based on the individual circumstances of the case and on case law and current legal guidance.

I would, therefore, stress that if you are unhappy with the decision once it is made you follow the appropriate appeals process as set out in your decision letter.

Please speak with your Adviser --- who can be contacted on --- or alternatively email her at --- if you require any advice relating to this referral.

Regards


See how she has ignored the cock up with the forms. Classic. I have been told I can apply for a hardship fund which I will do.  Apparently I did not have 'sufficiently good reasons' for not attending the course. It's a shame they haven't read this blog really. Haha.

APPEAL TIME!

Hello again.

There has been a bit of a lull in my situation due to the Christmas break, but yesterday I went back to the Job Centre and was told I had been given the wrong form to fill in and followed the wrong procedure to make a case as to why I shouldn't be sanctioned. Instead I had to dictate a few sentences to my Job Advisor there and then- which will be my entire case.

I asked if I could take the form away and write it myself and was told no, I had to do it then as it had to be sent off immediately. My daughter was with me as it was a snow day and afterwards she went behind the desk. 'You can't come round here' my advisor said, but my daughter ignored her and put out her hand so she was forced to shake it. Haha. In her defence, my advisor has been a lot more friendly and human since I did my speech about how I know it's not her, it's the ridiculous system that she's forced to work with.

I also got told off for not applying for jobs at the right time. Over the last few weeks I have applied for six jobs, but one week I applied for 4, and the next week 2. I was told that it has to be 3 PER WEEK or I will be sanctioned and lose 4 weeks money. I don't understand why this is, but being a single mum sometimes your planning goes a little astray due to child illness or snow days or LIFE. If I know I'm going to have less time one week then I'll do more job applications the week before/after. Isn't this just how it goes?

Today I wrote this email to my advisor's boss. I hate being like this, I feel like one of those annoying fuss-making people, but I also feel like it's important to see this through, because I have been making a real effort in my life and need it to be recognised. I don't feel like I should be penalised.


Hello,

I hope you're well.

Yesterday I came in and --- explained that I had filled in the wrong form and followed the wrong procedure to make a case as to why I didn't attend the A4E course. I spent a considerable amount of time writing a statement and I also supplied references from my training provider and a certificate I have recieved for taking part in a business course. I felt these things, plus a recommendation from my manager at the company where I have been doing an internship would prove that I have been making considerable effort to get back to work, rendering the A4E course unapplicable to me.

Obviously I am a bit worried that my money is going to be stopped. The very brief paragraph I dictated to --- yesterday in place of the above may not be enough to make sure that doesn't happen. She explained that if I do get sanctioned then I can appeal- but I would prefer to not get sanctioned in the first place and to not have a period where I have no money. --- explained that there is no contact name in Edinburgh so I can't submit my evidence. Is there no one I can talk to about this? I must have a case number at least?

This is not a complaint, though it is fairly frustrating that I was given the wrong form/procedure to follow. I'd prefer it if you didn't mention this to --- as this is not really to do with her- I just really want to make sure my money doesn't get stopped and I think I have a real case as to why it shouldn't be. It'd be a shame if I can't convey this properly to the appropriate decision maker.

Thanks for your time.


Let's see what happens. In the mean time, here is a song that feels relevant somehow. Any excuse to post a pop song...

Right, just printed this off in the scummiest internet cafe in the whole entire world. Going to drop it off at the Job Centre now. Wish me luck!


Dear Sir/Madame,

I hope you find the following relevant. It is my account of why I think I am not suitable for the Launchpad course and following work experience.

Please bear in mind I have only been ‘officially’ seeking work for the last six months.

In the last 7 years I have done various placements and personal projects to improve my chances of finding work, including applying for an MA (for which my funding unfortunately fell through), writing and having a book published and volunteering in a primary school for six months.

When my daughter started school full-time I approached the Arts and Literature Collective ‘Mercy’ with a view to interning for them. They took me on and during my time with them I managed a team of interns, put on a successful exhibition in Liverpool, did research and promotion and helped to publish a book of art and poetry. I would like to pursue this kind of work and now have excellent references and an up to date CV to assist me.

Primarily however, I have been training as a Horticultural Assistant. I undertook an evening course ‘Introduction to Gardening’ in 2011 which I paid for myself. I also did the first part of a Permaculture course which is a recognised qualification.

In 2012 I did a City and Guilds Level 1: Certificate in Gardening which I successfully completed. I went on to find and take part in a ‘Striding Out’ course on how to start your own business with a view to perhaps starting my own gardening business while also continuing with my creative work. I have included a copy of the certificate I gained.

In June this year I enrolled onto the City and Guilds Level 2: Certificate in Gardening which I was due to start in September. I was also volunteering at the nursery where I did my course. It was around this time that I was told I would have to take part in the Launchpad course. I was told by my job advisor that I would not be able to do the second part of my gardening course as Launchpad is mandatory. This would also mean giving up my volunteering.

I have since spoken to my advisor and her manager about the course being mandatory and they have confirmed that this is the case.

Subsequently I did not start the City and Guilds Level 2. Not to be deterred I asked at the plant nursery if I could do a work placement there, which they agreed to, but was told by my advisor that I do not have a choice where I do my 4 weeks work experience. This doesn’t make sense to me as I do not want to work in retail.

I went along to the first day of the Launchpad course and explained my situation- that I felt I was already making credible steps towards employment. Even A4E said they didn’t think I was suitable for the course. I was told they had a different programme that would be more suitable for me which I agreed to take part in for 6 hours a week as I think it would be beneficial for me.

Launchpad’s ‘Module objective’ is the following-

‘To progressively develop ability and confidence in managing personal circumstances, overcoming barriers and developing skills, such that participants are better equipped to make realistic decisions about returning to the labour market’.

I really feel that I have been making realistic decisions. I believe that to do a course on how to motivate myself when I am already enthusiastically trying to do what I want to do does not make sense. I am currently looking for somewhere to start my City and Guilds Level 2 in January.

I’d like to make it clear that since being on JSA I have been actively seeking work and have applied for many jobs- obviously I am prepared to work part-time while I continue training. One position I applied for recently had received over 200 applications. However, this will not stop me from getting a job as I am positive and resourceful.

One of the last paid work positions I did was as an HR assistant, screening CVs and application forms. I know how to write a convincing application. I feel within the next two months I will have a job. But I cannot do this if I am working in Poundland or similar getting experience in a field I have no interest in and that will ultimately only look incongruous on my CV.

I'm a single mum who wants to balance working towards the good of society and the people around me with bringing up a healthy and happy daughter. I believe I can do both and the best way to go about that is to pursue a meaningful career in subjects that I am becoming proficient in.

I hope you can take the above into consideration. I am not, perhaps the typical benefits claimant (if such a thing exists), and being pigeonholed is extremely frustrating. Being treated as if I am trying to get out of working even while producing evidence to the contrary has really affected my morale. I feel I have done nothing but try to help myself yet I now face losing my benefits which seems somewhat upside down. I have included some references.

Thanks for your time

Today I had to go in to discuss the situation with my advisor and her boss. It was alright, I have been told I can do the 6 hour a week course but that I have to fill out a 'Skills Conditionality' form which will go off to Scotland to be assessed. If they think my reasons for not doing the course aren't good enough then I will lose my benefits.

My advisor basically lied and said I hadn't told her I wanted to do the gardening course. She also said I'd never mentioned that I'd like to be self-employed, which is also a lie. I spoke about all the things I've been doing to improve my situation- but unpaid work doesn't count as 'work' in terms of how confident or job ready I might be, which seems a bit strange as I have been constantly challenging myself since being 'unemployed'. The stigma surrounding people out of work is not doing me any favours at all.

I didn't mention the appalling DWP figures- that only 3.5% of those doing the Work Programme have actually found work, but I will put that on the form, along with references from my non-employers etc- I am going to do a KILLER statement.

After her boss had gone my advisor was unnaturally nice to me, much nicer than she's been for ages- perhaps she's realised that I have my eye on all this. I asked her what has happened to other people that have refused to go on Launchpad and she said that I am the first person to refuse. It makes me a bit sad really- more people should stick up for themselves. The threat of sanctions stops people from voicing their concerns and forces them into unpaid work, without any choice at all.

I have been reading about A4E, the company that provides the courses and they come across as shockingly bad- the allegations of systemic fraud and poor performance are rife, which basically just reaffirms my belief that I'm better off looking for work myself- without having to put up with motivational bullshit and box ticking and all the other demoralising and patronising things I hate about these courses.

Meanwhile, new graffiti has sprung up near to where I go to the Job Centre. A bit dramatic maybe? When you look at what ATOS are doing then maybe not so much.

So I have written to my Job Advisor's boss. It's not at all fun all this you know.

Dear Ms ----

I am writing to you to request a change of Job Advisor.

Currently I am being advised by ----, and although she is always polite to me I believe that she has not fully considered what is best for me in my current situation.

She recently referred me to the Launchpad course for single parents which she claims is 'mandatory', yet I have researched this and found out that this is not the case if a claimant is already undertaking voluntary work or is already in training. I finished a Diploma in Gardening in May and was planning to do the second part starting in September but was told by ---- that I wouldn't be able to do this as I had to start Launchpad. This was misleading.

I have now missed the opportunity to take part in this course. I am not sure this makes sense. I have read this in a DWP document:

'This module will be aimed at lone parents who have no recent work experience, who may need support to overcome a number of barriers'.

I am not that person. I have been gaining work experience and know what I want to do. I don't feel I have any barriers to overcome as I am resourceful and make the most of every opportunity. I really want to get a job. I even made steps toward organising a work placement at the nursery where I was volunteering, but was told by ---- that I could not do this as I would have to do a work placement chosen by the Job Centre in retail. I don't want to work in retail.

I went along to the first day of Launchpad, explained my situation, was told that I wasn't right for the course, and that there was another course more suited to me, that was for 6 hours a week.

On telling ---- this, she phoned A4E up and is in the process of trying to get me back on the 8 week full-time Launchpad course/Workfare placement.

“The following steps must be taken on every occasion you want to mandate a participant to do something:
Ensure that the activity is reasonable in the participant’s circumstances ” 

I do not believe that going on Launchpad and the subsequent Workfare placement is a reasonable course of action for me.

I hope you can place me with an advisor that understands my circumstances. I have an appointment with ---- on Monday at 11.50 and would prefer not to see her as I feel she does not have my best interests at heart. This has made me feel very demotivated and I always come away from our meetings feeling as if I am being difficult instead of actively trying to make my life better.

Thanks for your time

-

I can tell you that her bosses name is Jolene, which means when I go in on Monday to speak to them both (I have awoken the dragon) the only thing that will be in my head the whole time is this:

'I had to have this talk with you/my happiness depends on you/and whatever you decide to do/Jo-leeeeene'. 

Today I went down to Room 8 to try and start applying for jobs. I was told that I haven't been registered on the course yet, which is a bit annoying as I told the Job Centre on Monday that I would be doing this alternative course.

The man there said my dimples would get me in trouble, I think they probably will. Tomorrow I have to explain to the scary Job Advisor why my course has been changed- I have a feeling she'll be pretty annoyed, she doesn't like the fact that I question everything.

While I was in Room 8 I heard a man shouting at one of the helpers- 'I'm not stupid!' I don't know if this is a good sign...possibly not.

I have been given a piece of paper with my new course details on. Under 'Target customers' it says-

Customers with little or no experience of current job search techniques and channels. They will have a basic understanding of IT.

I'm not sure this is me. I think my CV could probably do with some work but I know how to look for jobs. I also think that my IT skills are probably above average- in fact in some areas I have quite a lot of expertise. What does this mean for my experience of the course? I'm not sure yet. I took my laptop along today and was told that this is not allowed, which seems a bit odd.

I wonder if I am being unreasonable or antagonistic in some way, all this is here to help me. I will try and use it in the most positive way and keep my head down.

In other news, I have been looking all over for another place to do the second part of my Diploma in gardening, but as far as I can see they all start in September, so if I want to continue with this I will have to wait until next year now. I am going to write to Organiclea to see what they suggest- they may have a solution.

Dimples eh?