Ingeus

[Raven1]

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.

Edited June 14, 2011 by Raven1

[Raven1]

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!

Edited June 14, 2011 by Raven1

[Raven1]

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.

Edited June 14, 2011 by Raven1

[Raven1]

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

Edited December 7, 2011 by Raven1
typos etc

[Raven1]

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"

[Raven1]

A General Reminder

 

Just assume that Ingeus staff monitor this thread. It ranks highly on Google

 

I hope they do.

[Raven1]

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.

[Raven1]

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.

Edited January 10, 2012 by Raven1

[Raven1]

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...

Edited January 12, 2012 by Raven1

[Raven1]

Work Programme contract is putting providers out of business

 

 

Link to follow

[Raven1]

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

[Raven1]

I have no sympathy for the charity - just for those effected.

 

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.

[Raven1]

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)

[Raven1]

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/

[Raven1]

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

[Raven1]

They want to contact these potential employers and offer you to them as an indentured serf.

 

Remove any identifying details.

 

Remember DPA.

[Raven1]

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.'

[Raven1]

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

 

So don't!

[Raven1]

I signed off last week.

 

I wrote Ingeus an email informing them of this and requesting three things.

 

1) my data be removed from their systems at my request

2) an inquiry as to who (other than DWP/HMRC/JCP) that Ingeus had shared my data with

3) whether or not a fee was necessary to obtain the data they had collected about me and what the process was to do this

 

This was sent 4 days ago and is seemingly been ignored.

 

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

Edited May 4, 2012 by Raven1

[Raven1]

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.

[Raven1]

'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.

[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

[Raven1]

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

Edited April 27, 2013 by Raven1

[Raven1]

Ingeus Exposed: Caught Lying to Welfare Rights Office!!!

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5b9BiCmkKc

[Raven1]

Well done!