My second 'advisor' was only semi literate. His written English was appalling and of course he tried to cover this up with bullying - followed by panic when he realised I was 'on to him'. I advised him to his face that I would never allow a person with his level of literacy to alter a written document representing me. It is noteworthy that he appeared to accept this. I don't know how he got his job, it's clear to me that he was incapable of completing an application form and I can only imagine someone else did it for him. I will never forget his 15 minute shouted tirade concerning what he could do to me if he wanted to, followed by a glance at the clock and a mumbled realisation that we were out of time to which I calmly responded: 'Well if you hadn't spent quite so much time trying to bully and intimidate me you might have achieved more' His reaction to this was the 'one inch from your face' method as he shouted 'Just tell me what I can do to help you!!!!!' I replied 'We've already established you have nothing to offer me' By this point the guy had become pure entertainment! I didn't see him again, he was 'sick' when I next attended, I was advised he would contact me to arrange our next appointment. He never did...

Regarding Ingeus et al I wouldn't bother telling them you're recording something, do it covertly, and then any 'confusion' arising can be met with a transcript of the recording, and if its' content is disputed you can then offer to play the actual recording to any interested parties. I also like the idea of them never being quite sure whether or not someone is doing this.

In ANY situation such as this I would request in writing a written explanation (required within seven (7) days) of why, given that they were aware of the circumstances, they did not feel able to exercise any flexibility. Copy in your local JCP, MP, councillor etc.. Sit back and watch them sweat.

I hope they do.

Makes quite interesting reading: (Won't let me post the url but it's from the Guardian Jobs Site) Employment Adviser Employer: CF APPOINTMENTS Posted: 25 November 2011 Location: Mitcham, Greater London Industry: Charities - Advice Contract: Permanent Hours: Full Time Salary: £18,500 - £25,000 Apply with CV Further information We are looking for performance driven Advisors to work in London for the Welfare to Work Sector. Locations: Mitcham Salary - £18,500 - £25,000 Person specification In order to be a successful Adviser you must have the ability to quickly build and maintain rapport. You will need to motivate your customers, challenge their assumptions and ultimately change their perception of working. There are many ways in which you can successfully work with your customers in securing them employment- referring them to suitable providers to assist with training needs; getting on the phone to local employers to match your customers to vacancies; work intensively with a customer to provide suitable CVs, interview techniques, job search, the list goes on. You will be focused on meeting and exceeding targets for job placements. Therefore we require a results-driven individual who can work in a fast paced environment, managing challenges and change appropriately. Demonstrable experience in a customer-facing role coupled with strong organisational skills is a must. There will be an expectation for you to deliver one to one meetings, hold group sessions with customers and feel confident when speaking with employers. An assertive, resilient approach to work is key. Key Tasks 1. Working with individual clients and groups to ensure the effective delivery of the Work Programme across East London. 2. Logistical co-ordination to manage a client caseload effectively. To work effectively with any resources, management systems or technology and implement and update personal knowledge and skill sets as required. 3. Providing information, advice and guidance and support to employers and work placement providers relating to the needs of clients to ensure individual progress is maximised. 4. Providing support across other offices as and when required in order providing cover for annual leave, sickness and adverse business and trading conditions in all locations. 5. Ensuring that all internal and external monitoring requirements are carried out in relation to contractual compliance and responding to all quality initiatives. To ensure all paperwork (contractual and operational) deadlines and reporting functions as instructed are met within agreed timescales. 6. Ensuring that all administration requirements are completed accurately and within set time scales Skills and Qualities (Essential) - Target and performance focused - Flexible, Adaptable, Reliable, Innovative - Organised - Communicate effectively at all levels, to groups and individuals · Ability to use initiative to undertake research and solve problems ·Ability to combine a client case load with rigorous administrative requirements · Experience within a customer-facing/sales environment · IT Literate and efficient in all Microsoft programmes. Other Requirements (Essential) · Must be flexible to work across the boroughs in which the company operates in the greater London area. Please note that only suitable candidates will be contacted. "We value and respect each other’s differences and welcome applications from every section of the community – particularly welcoming applications from disabled people who are under-represented in the company"

I started this thread six months ago and it's nice to see it's still helping people! I endorse a lot of what has been said here, particularly relating to cutting Ingeus out of your life when you find a job. The main advice is don't tell Ingeus when you find a job - no matter how tempting it might be to do so! They're parasites, treat them as such, they don't need to know anything. Sign off without giving a reason - all you need to provide is an end date for your claim, the DWP aren't interested beyond that and it even says on the form that you don't have to complete the rest. If you get any calls from Ingeus simply do not engage with them. They are not your friends, they are not phoning to congratulate you, they are calling to probe for the information they need to claim payment for finding you a job. Don't give it to them or even admit that you have found one. Simply confirm that you are no longer claiming and replace the receiver. Then write to them (via recorded delivery) and instruct them to completely remove your telephone number from their systems. Treat them as you would anyone else making harassing and unwanted phone calls. In fact I would go so far as to instruct them to remove ALL your data from their systems because you have never authorised them to process it, consent gained under duress has no legal validity. As I am sure you are aware whilst you are there Ingeus look upon you as a source for * leads*, and to this end they will ask you for an account of your job hunting activities, basically the same thing you provide to the job centre. I queried why they needed this and was advised they needed to know 'what sort of things I was doing to find work' naturally I agreed to provide them with a copy of my job search record ( I do a spread sheet on my laptop and print it out each fortnight) HOWEVER Ingeus got a copy with all the company names and any other identifying data blanked out. I explained that I had very serious data protection concerns as the companies involved had not given me their consent to pass their details to Ingeus, and in any case I was sure they would contact Ingeus themselves if they wanted to use them. So we had three months of farce where I dutifully passed on my job search record with the information they *really* wanted blanked out in solid black blocks and not one darn thing they could do about it. Agree with the above poster who says you should make it clear from the outset that you can and will complain about any inappropriate behaviour. Quite frankly the Data Protection Act is your best friend when dealing with Ingeus

I spoke to the manager at Ingeus this morning and I have been assigned to a different advisor. I don't think they will ever see me as a soft target again although I am quite sure that's what happened initially. I'm fully up to speed on empowerment, it just took me by surprise. Nobody rides roughshod over my rights It's the others I feel sorry for those who are afraid to speak out.

Just realised they have recently changed their name from Working Links to Ingeus and when you search for Working Links a few more references appear. Oddly enough there are a disproportionate number which refer to the office I visited yesterday. In a nutshell I left in tears after the advisor spent 30 mins doing her level best to totally undermine and demoralise me. The slightest questioning of anything she said - and some of it was extremely bizarre - was turned back at me as 'my negativity' Also when I set out my health restrictions she spat at me that I was 'inflexible' Towards the end she just seemed to want to argue and I had to actually advise her that I was not prepared to argue with her. I am an intelligent articulate middle aged woman with a proven work history, I strongly suspect this person took one look at my grey hair and decided I was an easy victim one who would afford her some amusement if she approached the appointment in that manner. Unhappily for them what they did not realise is that yes, I do tend to blub when taken by surprise with some unexpected nastiness ( which is essentially what this was, I went in there expecting to be treated like an equal) and I'm not particularly proud of that, but once I calm down I come out fighting, not effing and blinding but in the adult way via the formal complaints process. I have emailed her this morning advising that I was not happy about the way the meeting was conducted and citing a couple of specific examples of her inappropriate behaviour. Also stating that I wished to make it the subject of a formal complaint. What ever happens they won't be making me cry again!

I attended my first FND appointment at Ingeus today. It seems I have the privilege of being in the very last intake since this scheme is now cancelled. My impression is that all funding to the FND scheme will be ended in August. So presumably whatever happens then I will be off FND. Most annoying to me is the way these people sink their claws into your life, say for example I get the job I went for last week, they will take the credit and a payment for getting me into work. Total parasites. Whilst I waited for my appointment I watched half a dozen 'clients' each push a cursor around a screen to no great purpose, that's when they were not slumped into catatonic inactivity. And one woman - I'm guessing a client - tried to help another who frankly was never going to be able to do even the simplest thing on a computer. The reason for this post is that other than corporate self promotion there is very little info out there about this company, whilst plenty of people have something to say about A4E, there seems to be no one blogging about Ingeus. Are Ingeus wonderful? Based on just today I would say not - more on my own appointment later - or do they shut down any one who talks about them. Do you have any experience of Ingeus, if so please share.