Ingeus

[Bakatcha]

OK G4C389

There is at least one and possibly two breaches of the Data Protection Act you describe:

1. Contact made with your employer (and doubtless questions asked about you and your new employment) without having your written, informed consent.

2. The possible forgery of your signature.

 

I would ask in writing for a copy of the data waiver form they claimed that you signed. - 3 outcomes possible:

1. They are unable to produce the form

2. They produce a form but with your forged signature.

3. They produce a form with your correct signature.

 

In the even of 3 you have a very weak case and I think probably not worth proceeding.

In the event of 1 or 2 you have strong grounds for a complaint to be made. So who to complain to?

Probably useless to try to go through the Ignorus Doolittle procedure this is too long, too tedious and too ineffectual.. Similarly a complaint to the JCP and/or the DWP will probably be batted off with advice to complain to Ignorus Doolittle.

This leaves us with: a complaint to the Police. I would consider this to be a valid course of action especially if the signature is forged. This is after all a criminal act and in the light of current investigations into A4e should be taken seriously. I would write out your complaint first so that you can present a wriiten version to the Police. If you are reluctant to complain to the Police you may wish to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office. The site from which you should be able to get contact and other details is here:

http://www.ico.gov.uk/

[gil_jnr]

I’m going to be thrown on the WP this June I will not give my consent to the data protection waver or any forms they put in front of me but my question is if Ingeus put me on a CV or confidence building or any over courses do I have the right’s to ask them to put me on an independent course which is run by a deferent company or college and not run by Ingeus or any of their subcontractors.

 

I'd suggest trying to secure yourself a volunteer position of some sort before you start with the provider and declaring it with the JC on an A15C form. That way, not only will it look more favorable on your CV to an employer that you have organised voluntary work by your own initiative, it will also exempt you from any Mandatory Work Activity schemes.

 

3. Given the policy intent of MWA, the following claimants must not be

considered for referral to MWA:

 

• currently working (paid or voluntary)
  
• undertaking employment related study / training
  
• taking part in or recently completed* another employment measure
  (contracted or non-contracted) aimed at helping them move closer to
  the labour market
  

Link: https://mandatoryvoluntarywork.wordpress.com/2011/12/06/mandatory-work-good-cause-opt-opts-internal-information-from-jobcentre-plus/

 

I'm not sure if the CV Writing /Basic Literacy & Numeracy/Interview Skills etc courses are classed as MWA's though?

 

I'd also suggest that they will be very unlikely to allow you to take any of their offered courses through an independant as the WP providers make hefty profits through the European Social Fund payments. I understand that the Basic Literacy & Numeracy courses are worth around £1,300 to the provider per person referred to each course

[Nystagmite]

That's interesting. I volunteer and still have to take part in mWAs.

[soulfire]

Btw does Scotland not do any of these mandatory schemes?

[down'n'out]

I'm not sure if the CV Writing /Basic Literacy & Numeracy/Interview Skills etc courses are classed as MWA's though?

 

More likely to be Work Related Activities.

[Bakatcha]

I think there is confusion. Mandatory Work Activity (MWA) is a 4 week mandatory "forced labour" programme imposed at their discretion by the JCP (subject to the guidelines outlined by gil.jnr above).

CV writing and the other nonsense courses are just internal courses onto which you can be mandated once on the WP if the "advisor" thinks that you will benefit (in reality if he/she doesn't know what to do with you and/or wants to tick a few boxes). Such courses are unlikely to be run by outside organisations - but may be. You will not be given a choice in whether the courses are sourced internally/exteranlly. In addition there are courses which have funding from the ESF and, as is pointed out above, the pimp can get hefty kickbacks for introducing participants. The temptation is there for the pimp to "mandate" people onto these ESF funded courses (run by organisations like Learn Direct) and pocket the "commissions". Doing voluntary work will not prevent pimp from mandating you on to such courses if the whim takes him/her to do it.

[osdset]

The mistake the government and ATOS have made is to only attach one label to claimants in WRAG, and that's Limited Capability For Work, this does not differentiate between various conditions, so as far as the w2w pimps are concerned the WRAG group are one 'cohort'.

 

Once w2w realise that this cohort can't all be bunged in the same pigeon hole, there may well be some sleepless nights, lets look at some home truths.

 

w2w are currently unable to meet their targets in getting the 100% able bodied back into work, they are struggling to meet the basic requirement.

 

Despite the spin they will offer to the contrary, they know that the work just isn't out there, so there will be a never ending push on to useless courses, so long as those courses involve some kind of monetary advantage for the pimps, but there are not an infinite amount of places available and at the end of the day w2w will have to prioritise.

 

w2w offices and facilities are simply not geared up to deal with people with wheelchairs / walking aids, the pimps are not trained to cope with mental impairment, in fact they are not trained to cope with anyone that has significant physical / mental barriers to work.

 

Given that the pimps are profit driven, it's unlikely that they will be prepared to invest heavily in the infrastructure requirement for disabled access, and accessibility enhanced equipment.

 

Whilst it may well be the case that a percentage of the intake can migrate into work, I would hazard a guess that there are a significant amount that won't; now, or ever.

 

So we have wheelchair bound Joe with only one good arm, who has been on IB for years, and fit as a fiddle Fred who needs brushing upon his computer skills. Which one are you going to sent on the basic skills course? Which one stands more chance of getting into work and earning you more commission?

 

If I were a pimp know which one I would choose, so where does that leave Joe? Stuck in a corner somewhere twiddling his one good thumb, their offices will be stacked full of 'Joe's' and eventually the whole system will grind to a halt, it will end up as one unholy mess.

[speedfreek]

Has this been posted yet? It's my recommended DWP read of the week!

 

Updated 17 May 2012 Work Programme Provider Guidance

 

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/supplying-dwp/what-we-buy/welfare-to-work-services/provider-guidance/work-programme-provider.shtml

 

Was looking at Chap 2 n sanctioning and trying to figure out where the guidance is for assessing ESA claimant and vulnerability.

 

That just lead me to chapter 3 then from there to some mumbo jumbo about H&S with regards to accidents.

 

Some interesting stuff like misuse of IT facilities (i.e. looking at porn) sanctionable and being a known member of an Organization has to be considered when applying sanctions.

 

There's a few interesting snippets on exactly how a mandatory direction must be given and how if it's not done in a certain way the DWP will have trouble making a sanction stick!

[Ingeus DoLittle]

Let’s play the money game.

Things you’ve claimed for at your local Ingeus Office?

Haircut = £10 Well, it did need doing. For an interview of course!

Suit = £50 (Interview)

Shoes = £30

Travel = £110

Food Hygiene Certificate = £20

Interview in London = £120 including Travelodge

Can anyone beat me? hahahahaha:oops:

[YorkyLad]

My email to Ingeus regarding my data access request, after getting forwarded to a few people, has been replied to!

 

My email to them:

Total Opened 13 times by 5 readers

Reader #1 Opened 6 times for 2mins32secs total

Reader #2 Opened 3 times for 13mins55secs total

Reader #3 Opened 2 times for 3mins47secs total

Reader #4 Opened 1 time

Reader #5 Opened 1 time

 

the reply:

 

Dear Mr Yorkylad

 

Thank you for your request under the Data Protection Act to see your records held by Ingeus UK.

 

We will ensure that we provide you with this information within 40 calendar days of receipt of your request.

 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact: TheDataProtectionOfficer@ingeus.co.uk

 

 

Yours sincerely,

The Data Protection Officer

 

No mention of any payment due to them to see the data

 

and notably no problem with refusing to sign my request

 

This will be interesting!

[Bakatcha]

I did a FOI on Ingeus for data held from my stint with them on the FND. They did not ask for any payment and provided a good attempt at disclosing what I had asked for, not quite perfect since they did not disclose that they had my phone number - in spite having phoned me to say they would be responding.

A4greed on the other hand demanded a payment of £10 and that I send them two forms of identification. WTF!!!

[Nystagmite]

I am getting seriously ****ed off now with the constant belittling, being accused of lying and lack of reasonable adjustments by my adviser. I am tempted to complain again. (and will cc it to her line manager)

 

There was a post on a charities' Facebook page (charity is for people and carers of people with Autism) regarding how we're finding the work programme and I've been advised to contact them. This should be interesting...

[caledfwlch]

Has this been posted yet? It's my recommended DWP read of the week!

 

Updated 17 May 2012 Work Programme Provider Guidance

 

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/supplying-dwp/what-we-buy/welfare-to-work-services/provider-guidance/work-programme-provider.shtml

 

Was looking at Chap 2 n sanctioning and trying to figure out where the guidance is for assessing ESA claimant and vulnerability.

 

That just lead me to chapter 3 then from there to some mumbo jumbo about H&S with regards to accidents.

 

Some interesting stuff like misuse of IT facilities (i.e. looking at porn) sanctionable and being a known member of an Organization has to be considered when applying sanctions.

 

There's a few interesting snippets on exactly how a mandatory direction must be given and how if it's not done in a certain way the DWP will have trouble making a sanction stick!

 

Could you give a bit more detail - I have had a quick look, but couldn't see the right part: Specifically, am I misunderstanding you, or are they suggesting that for example being a party member of the BNP could lead to sanctions? or does it mean illegal organisations, criminal gangs and so on?

[debt4get]

I too have trawled chapter 2 and 3 and cannot find the information as posted is the link correct?

[debt4get]

http://www.totaljobs.com/JobSeeking/Team-Leader---Work-Programme_job53596133

 

anyone fancy it?...

Our Team Leaders manage and lead a team in order to consistently achieve and exceed targets.....a sales job?

[osdset]

They haven't got the job description right, they have left out the bit about being adept at copying signatures.

[debt4get]

ah well you see you know the saying....if you pay peanuts...you get monkeys....obviously the salary quoted doesnt include being able to duplicate signatures...or perhaps you learn that on the job.......

[Ingeus DoLittle]

They haven't got the job description right, they have left out the bit about being adept at copying signatures.

Hmmm, Maybe I should have changed my signature to Mickey Mouse! They wouldn’t try to copy that now would they, or even better Ingeus DoLittle! hahaha

Edited May 20, 2012 by Ingeus DoLittle

[osdset]

As I am fed up with the twaddle constantly doled out by the pimps about how well W2W is doing I thought I would have a dig around to find out the true state of things.

 

 

There are currently 1.7 jobs for every 100 applicants nationally

 

There are at least 565,000 jobseekers on the books of the providers, there are 475,000 vacancies.

 

 

Current figures from The Office for National Statistics

 

• The employment rate for those aged from 16 to 64 was 70.5 per cent, up 0.2 on the quarter. There were 29.23 million people in employment aged 16 and over, up 105,000 on the quarter. The quarterly increase in employment was entirely due to more part-time workers.
  

 

• The unemployment rate was 8.2 percent of the economically active population, down 0.2 on the quarter. There were 2.63 million unemployed people, down 45,000 on the quarter.
  

 

• The inactivity rate for those aged from 16 to 64 was 23.0 per cent, down 0.1 on the quarter. There were 9.25 million economically inactive people aged from 16 to 64, down 35,000 on the quarter.
  

source http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/lms/labour-market-statistics/may-2012/statistical-bulletin.html#tab-Economic-inactivity

 

The figure of 9.25 million economically inactive people is important as it hides part of the true picture, it includes those that are not in employment but do not meet the internationally accepted definition of unemployment because they have not been seeking work within the last four weeks and/or they are unable to start work within the next two weeks. It is also important because it includes all those currently on WRAG.

 

So in the first quarter of this year unemployment dropped by 105,000 nationally, none of those who found work were employed full time.

 

W2W cannot deliver on their promises it's as as simple as that.

[debt4get]

the next quarter will of course rise again as the people in wrag group who have magically become well after gettting ESA cont for a year if they cannot qualify for ESA Income will have to sign on for JSA thus inflating the figure......unless of course they will not be entitled to JSA Income..... W2W this was always going to be a failure...but if you say it works long enough and loudly enough the great british public will believe it.....

[gis_a_job]

i have been offered a interview at sainsburys as a general assistant( 16hrs) as i have 10 years experience as a field archaeologist supervising up to 15 staff and running budgets up to £10,000 i feel that i can get this job but my point is i do not want ingeus to claim any merit or money for my work i signed the data form but had them put on the computer that i was unhappy with it( i was told that not to sign was akin to not taking part in the programme and could be sanctioned) but do not wish to inform them until i have the job as they are already putting the pressure on me to go on a work placement( which i have asked them to provide me with information why 4 weeks slave labour will change the labour market) or 7 hours job search 5 days a week and if they find out i plan to kick up a fuss about them pimping me to the DWP and milking me for 2 years i have a feeling that they will make my life hell any links to the data protection act that i can use will be a help or any info i can use against them. i do not have a problem with W2W but like most of you i have been left and they hope i will find a job my self and then they cash in.

 

On another note as any one else noticed that the staff from prior W2W schemes have gone. my new advisor was a sales manager in a phone shop nice to see that they are getting the staff that understand there method of W2W

Edited May 21, 2012 by gis_a_job

[caledfwlch]

i have been offered a interview at sainsburys as a general assistant( 16hrs) as i have 10 years experience as a field archaeologist supervising up to 15 staff and running budgets up to £10,000 i feel that i can get this job but my point is i do not want ingeus to claim any merit or money for my work i signed the data form but had them put on the computer that i was unhappy with it( i was told that not to sign was akin to not taking part in the programme and could be sanctioned) but do not wish to inform them until i have the job as they are already putting the pressure on me to go on a work placement( which i have asked them to provide me with information why 4 weeks slave labour will change the labour market) or 7 hours job search 5 days a week and if they find out i plan to kick up a fuss about them pimping me to the DWP and milking me for 2 years i have a feeling that they will make my life hell any links to the data protection act that i can use will be a help or any info i can use against them. i do not have a problem with W2W but like most of you i have been left and they hope i will find a job my self and then they cash in.

 

On another note as any one else noticed that the staff from prior W2W schemes have gone. my new advisor was a sales manager in a phone shop nice to see that they are getting the staff the understand there method of W2W

 

Withdraw consent on the day you inform them you are leaving - preferably just a day or two before you start your new job. And tell your new employer you do not consent to them speaking to the Provider - if necessary just tell your employer you are very unhappy with the provider, and as you are proud to have gotten the job through your own hard work, you don't see why they should be paid for your work - or be a bit more truthful and just tell the employer that you have heard Provider's can cause problems.

 

Are you eligible for any money from the Jobcentre, such as back to work bonuses? If not, then don't fill in the name of your new employer when you sign off, just put "a supermarket" or something

 

For the moment at least, especially if one is actually moving into a job, the Provider's can do absolutely nothing to you for withdrawing consent/withholding that info - all their threats and bullying bluster are just that, threats and bluster, they have no legal standing

[osdset]

( which i have asked them to provide me with information why 4 weeks slave labour will change the labour market)

 

Good luck with that query, they don't have to justify the mandated work ,and they probably wont answer your question, why? because they are ar$£4oles, and you will be wasting your breath.

[debt4get]

there is a way of removing your consent

have a look here for the letter templates

http://www.consent.me.uk/

[Bakatcha]

Another example here: http://thiefofbaghdad.wordpress.com/2011/11/07/68/ (One what I wrote!):

Re: Data waiver agreement under the Data Protection Act 1998

Dear Pimpo,

As you are aware I have signed the data waiver/consent form thus authorising PIMPO to share my data with other bodies including potential and actual employers. You should also be aware that I have the right to withdraw this consent at any time without giving reasons or explanations.

I understand that such withdrawal does not effect my placement on the Work Programme or any employment or offer of employment made.

Please take this letter as notification of the withdrawal of my consent with immediate effect and alter your records to show that my data sharing consent has been withdrawn. Please sign and date the copy of this letter to acknowledge that it has been received by PIMPO and my instructions will be acted upon.

Yours sincerely,

 

 

I acknowledge receipt of the withdrawal of consent and confirm that it will be acted upon without delay.

Signed :……………………………. on behalf of PIMPO