I know it won't help on this occasion but in future if you have any changes made to appointments insist they set out the change in writing and sign it. I would go so far as making a special trip into their office to get this. You simply cannot trust them to update their systems as this man found out. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/Post-helps-job-hunter-win-appeal/story-19155342-detail/story.html#axzz2VY0FkiCO Unfortunately unless recorded verbal exchanges or even email between third parties count for nothing Although I don't think you will have any difficulty putting this right; just make sure you complain about all parties concerned.

Thank you

What's a WUM? As someone who was singled out for particular attention in *the post* I say this in response, this thread is about self respect; refusing to let yourself be brought down by the unacceptable behaviour of others. And certainly not about starting to behave like them. One of my favourite quotes is: 'No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.' But sometimes we all need a helping hand and thankfully others are often happy to give it, and later on you can become the helper. I started this thread (what seems like a very a long time ago now) because my very first appointment with ingeus left me feeling like a tearful nervous wreck, and seeking help online I could find nothing specific to Ingeus out there. Today the 'advisor' would get some softly spoken advice about the unacceptability of bullying. Followed by the appropriate remedial action if they persisted. It's called empowerment.

Whilst we're on the subject of 'taking control of the conversation.' The following is now a permanent fixture at the bottom of any CV or Covering Letter I might send out in the future. 'I do not consent to giving the DWP Jobcentre or any Work Programme Provider or Subcontractor any feedback on either a job interview or job application.'

Here is the state of the art consent withdrawal letter. Please don't post the text as you need to always go here to get the latest up to date version. http://consent.me.uk/workfareconsent/

irelivent Looks like you're taking control of the situation, believe me it's a much better place to be than being a victim.

Okay I have delved into my archives and uncovered the telephone harassment letter which never fails: Name & Address - HARASSMENT WARNING - WARNING: PROTECTION FROM HARASSMENT ACT 1997 WARNING: COMMUNICATIONS ACT 2003. s127. Telephone Number: Your phone number (s) Re: Harassment by Telephone Date Dear Sir/Madam Your Reference: I would put your NI number here I am writing in relation to the telephone calls I have received from your organisation, which I deem to be personally harassing. I now require the telephone number(s) listed above to be completely removed from your systems. I am of the view that your calling puts you in breach of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. This is a private telephone line, operated on a contract with the intention of receiving and making personal telephone calls, I have not authorised anyone to receive calls from your organisation using this PRIVATE TELEPHONE LINE. By using this telephone number without my permission you are interfering with my ability to use my own private property for the duration of any call. It is my right to require that this telephone line, which is licensed solely to me, be kept clear for my own personal calls. It is consequently my view that you are committing the tort of interference with contract insofar as for the duration of each call you make to me without my permission, you are interfering with my contractual right to receive and make personal calls on my private telephone line. Continued interference with my contractual rights in this manner will result in legal action. If you continue to harass me by telephone, you will also be in breach of the Communications Act (2003) s.127 and I will report you to the Office of Communications, Trading Standards and the Office of Fair Trading, meaning that you will be liable for a substantial fine. Be advised that all telephone calls from your company are recorded. Kind Regards If a work programme representative continues to call you when you are no longer claiming JSA send this and never discuss anything with them on the phone. 'Thank you for your call. Click'

Yes I know it's A4Greed but still interesting and note: 'A4e is a leading public service provider...' Not a private for profit company then - how wrong could I have been! https://a4ecareers.com/job/98345/advisor-capacity-resiliance-work-programme

LOL I used to do that, best teacher voice 'When you write 'there' do you infact mean 'their' or perhaps even 'they're'?'

Well done!

Ingeus Exposed: Caught Lying to Welfare Rights Office!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5b9BiCmkKc

Might I suggest that to keep this thread easily accessible to those in need of assistance when dealing with Ingeus, you always come to this page via a quick google search rather than a bookmark so as to keep it bubbling just under Ingeus own misleading advertising. (ASA complaint anyone? - A4E got burned for trying to make out they were a public service provider instead of a private for profit company.) I just read through this entire thread and laughed and cried along the way. So glad it's still helping people! Raven1

Not Ingeus but interesing Exclusive: A4e finds jobs for 3.5 per cent of job-seekers - Channel 4 News http://www.channel4.com/news/exclusive-a4e-finds-jobs-for-3-5-per-cent-of-job-seekers

'Billion-pound scandal’ in welfare to work http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9286233/Billion-pound-scandal-in-welfare-to-work.html Very interesting reading.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/may/16/dwp-fraud-welfare-work-companies DWP 'did not do enough to stop fraud among welfare-to-work companies' National Audit Office finds Department for Work and Pensions knew risk of fraud but did not introduce checks The NAO also published a sample of current complaints of alleged fraud centred around the work programme, which included: • Jobseekers being bullied into signing agreements to supply prospective employers' details for the provider to claim a job outcome payment. • Providers pursuing claimants for the contact details of their new employer despite the claimant gaining work without a provider's help. • Providers compelling claimants to work in inappropriate, unpaid placements. * Providers sending clients covertly to non-work programme charities for free help without paying the charity for it. • Providers attaching claimants to the work programme who have found employment since being referred to the programme by Jobcentre Plus but did not notify the provider of that prospective employment.

They have 40 days to respond to an SAR but if they want a fee they should advise you of that immediately.

It says on the little booklet you complete to sign off that you don't have to complete this information. So don't!

How about sending Ingeus - or their fellow travellers - a Section 10 notice ? If you have not waived your rights under DPA 1998, or have withdrawn DPA consent surely it would apply. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/29/section/10 Something like: 'Unless you can provide evidence of my explicit consent to the processing of my data by ****** I now require you to confirm that you have deleted all my personal data from your systems and those of any other agency that you may have dealt with. Failure to comply will result in a formal complaint to the Information Commissioner.'

They want to contact these potential employers and offer you to them as an indentured serf. Remove any identifying details. Remember DPA.

It's only a matter of time before someone shines a torch onto Ingeus. http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/feb/25/a4e-welfare-emma-harrison-properties

First 10 minutes of PM devoted to Emma Harrisons resignation - I might allow myself a hopeful smirk Want to learn more about A 4 Greed: http://watchinga4e.blogspot.com/

I am so glad this thread now bubbles just below Ingeus' own ludicrous self promotion in a Google search. When I started it there was no central point of reference like this; now the truth is out and in one handy location. Keep it up folks!!! Unity is strength (to coin a phrase)

I tend to agree with you, having worked for charities myself I am aware that most of them have a sizeable 'slush fund' so can only guess that this one was in financial difficulty already and saw exploiting the unemployed as a possible way back - only to see it backfire on them.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/jan/13/work-programme-contract-providers

Work Programme contract is putting providers out of business Link to follow