Ingeus Scotland

[marks75]

Job Centre Plus have put me on "course" with Ingeus starting on Monday from 10am-4pm and lasting two weeks. All I've received from Job Centre Plus is a badly printed out sheet of A4 paper with a google map of where their location is on one side and on the other side an address, travel options and "lunch options: McDonalds" (surely lunch option!) printed on it! All I've been told about this company by my advisor is "they're good, they get people into work" I thought Job Centre Plus were there for that purpose? :/

 

I live with my father, who is in his 70s, in his house and received a phone call which my father, as he usually does answered, with a confused look on his face he handed the phone to me 30 seconds or so later to which I heard "...appreciate confirmation of your attendance" He heard the word "Ingeus" and knew it was for me as I had told him I was going there Monday.

 

An 30/40 second automated computer phone call in which someone else in your household could answer and be met with a quick burst of a phone number and other information to "confirm attendance" hardly speaks volumes of their boasts on their website which says "Excellence with integrity - The principle of excellence with integrity is the foundation of our organisation, and informs every decision we make." They effectively called me to tell me something yet their automated system kicked in when someone else answered the phone call!

 

Does this automated phone call from Ingeus not break the Data Protection Act?

 

I've also noticed from their website they say "Once you are referred onto the Work Programme by Jobcentre Plus, you will receive a phone call from Ingeus,followed by a letter confirming the date, time and location of your first appointment." Job Centre Plus referred me to this programme over a month ago but all I've received is this automated phone call and no letter. Starts on Monday though! Is this a taste of the incompetence I'm going to have to sit through for the next two weeks?

 

I've also found out through my own research online that I may be expected to sit beside ex-offenders who could be on the same course for the two weeks, nothing against ex-offenders, but surely I should be told these things before I actually get there? Can anyone on this helpful website please give me some info on what to expect and what I'll be doing for the next two weeks?

Edited February 27, 2014 by marks75

[antone]

First off - have you been referred to the Work Programme, or is this simply a course JCP has sent you on?

[marks75]

First off - have you been referred to the Work Programme, or is this simply a course JCP has sent you on?

 

I've not a clue. I'm assuming it's a "course" Job Centre Plus have put me on. That's the problem, I've no information from Job Centre Plus. I was just told they'd arrange for me to go there on the first intake and that was that.

 

In fact when at my signing date last week my adviser was trying to arrange a time for my next date of signing when I replied that I was going on this course the vry same day my adviser was trying to allocate a time for me to sign at the Job Centre. My adviser had completely forgotten I was sent to Ingeus That's when I was handed this shoddy print off of sparse information on it.

 

I've been claiming JSA since September last year if that's any help? This will be six months claiming.

 

EDIT: just noticed there's a two-week course entitled "stairway to work" that Ingeus operate.

 

"It consists of a two-week full-time course, designed to improve confidence and motivation as well as providing advice on how to become more employable and supporting clients to find work. The course covers aspects such as teamworking and communication skills, financial advice, problem-solving and job search skills. Access to the course is via referral from local Jobcentre Plus Advisers"

 

Could it be that one?

Edited February 27, 2014 by marks75

[Mr.P]

I've also noticed from their website they say "Once you are referred onto the Work Programme by Jobcentre Plus, you will receive a phone call from Ingeus,followed by a letter confirming the date, time and location of your first appointment." Job Centre Plus referred me to this programme over a month ago but all I've received is this automated phone call and no letter. Starts on Monday though! Is this a taste of the incompetence I'm going to have to sit through for the next two weeks?

 

Based on reports of others involved with Ingeus (and other Work Programme providers), this kind of incompetence is a common factor across the country. Indeed, my first involvement with A4e a while back left me with the impression of a chaotic and disorganised outfit without any leadership or basic planning. Subsequent meetings only reaffirmed my initial assessment.

 

If you have yet to receive any official appointment letter, you must get in contact with the JCP and ask what Ingeus are playing at - If you telephone, follow it up with a letter or email so that you have a paper trail in place for the inevitable Failure To Attend sanction. To avoid the FTA sanction, you should make an attempt to attend at the location and time the JCP have indicated on Monday - You can then publicly berate the "adviser" for sloppy practices regarding the automated call.

 

.... Come to think of it, it may well have been an SMS text message which went through the BT SMS to Voice service. Unless you have disabled this wonderful little service, this could be what has happened. For further information, see: http://www.bt.com/includingyou/calling-easier-unwanted-calls.html?s_cid=con_FURL_unwantedcalls#more3

 

If you have been offered a "lunch option", I would demand something better than a McDonalds on the grounds that it is not a healthy option or particularly satisfying.