Accompanied Job Centre Visits

[Kati]

As we all know, 'official' meetings/interviews can be daunting at the best of times :tinysmile_hmm_t2:. Can you imagine what it's like to be told you are not allowed someone there to support you?

Last week, I was asked to accompany someone, as a witness/support, to an 'advisor interview' the jobcentre in my local town ... No problem there you might think (as I knew full well the DWPs "Good Practice Guide" allows for such things). Imagine my surprise when, on arrival, I was told "You can't go in with them" by a big, burly G4S security guard!

Ignoring him, and walking into the waiting area with my friend I was confronted by the "Floor Manager". This woman also (falsely) told me that I was unable to be there, so I asked to see her manager. "I'm the floor manager" she says "My decision is final" ... erm no!! I again asked to see/speak to her manager.

After 10mins, I was approached by another woman, who sat down and asked me what the problem was. I explained what had occurred, explaining again that anyone attending the jobcentre was allowed to be accompanied, and she went off to talk to the floor manager (leaving the G4S security guard standing next to me). I felt like I was doing something wrong ... that I was deemed as "dangerous" by the staff and had to be watched to make sure I didn't do anything!

After another 5mins or so my friend was called to his interview, leaving me waiting with the G4S goon (you guessed it, I was not allowed to go).


I have been asked (again) to accompany someone to the same jobcentre today - but this time I'm going armed with a printed version of the Good Practice Guide and a FOI request stating that I am allowed to go. I'll update after this meeting

[Kati]

Re: Accompanied Job Centre Visits

I'm putting these links here for others to use as and when necessary:
https://www.gov.uk/government/upload...sentatives.pdf

DWP Responsibilities
DWP needs to strike a balance between our legal duty to protect customers’ personal
information and disclosing information where it is appropriate to do so.
Customers have the right to ask a representative to help them conduct their business
with DWP and it is important that DWP balances this with our duty to protect the
personal information we hold. This is particularly important for customers with any
disabilities or conditions that make it difficult for them to express themselves
adequately. Representatives can also be helpful to DWP in helping us to obtain the
information that we need.
It is important that we have good working relationships with representatives, whether
they are from the advice organisations or are simply family members or friends so
that we can give our customers the best possible service.
Sometimes judgements will need to be made, based upon whether it is reasonable in
the circumstances to disclose information. Provided that you can demonstrate that
you have followed this guidance, you will not be held personally liable for alleged
unlawful disclosures. Always seek advice if you are unsure.

Who is a representative?
A customer representative is any person or organisation acting on behalf of or
making enquiries for the customer. The representative could be helping a customer
in several ways, including progress chasing, helping them make a claim, seeking an
explanation of entitlement and how it has been decided, representing them with a
reconsideration or appeal, or helping them manage their finances. This can be at any
stage of the customer’s business with DWP. Representatives may include:

•  advice or welfare rights organisations
•  professionals such as social workers, community nurses or doctors
•  family members or friends

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/reque...20Response.pdf

[nemesis45]

Re: Accompanied Job Centre Visits

As we all know, 'official' meetings/interviews can be daunting at the best of times :tinysmile_hmm_t2:. Can you imagine what it's like to be told you are not allowed someone there to support you?

Last week, I was asked to accompany someone, as a witness/support, to an 'advisor interview' the jobcentre in my local town ... No problem there you might think (as I knew full well the DWPs "Good Practice Guide" allows for such things). Imagine my surprise when, on arrival, I was told "You can't go in with them" by a big, burly G4S security guard!

Ignoring him, and walking into the waiting area with my friend I was confronted by the "Floor Manager". This woman also (falsely) told me that I was unable to be there, so I asked to see her manager. "I'm the floor manager" she says "My decision is final" ... erm no!! I again asked to see/speak to her manager.

After 10mins, I was approached by another woman, who sat down and asked me what the problem was. I explained what had occurred, explaining again that anyone attending the jobcentre was allowed to be accompanied, and she went off to talk to the floor manager (leaving the G4S security guard standing next to me). I felt like I was doing something wrong ... that I was deemed as "dangerous" by the staff and had to be watched to make sure I didn't do anything!

After another 5mins or so my friend was called to his interview, leaving me waiting with the G4S goon (you guessed it, I was not allowed to go).


I have been asked (again) to accompany someone to the same jobcentre today - but this time I'm going armed with a printed version of the Good Practice Guide and a FOI request stating that I am allowed to go. I'll update after this meeting

There is a lot of arrogance from JC staff over interviews both standard processing meetings and " interviews " under caution when it comes to allowing 3rd party to be present at interviews.

It is time in my opinion that parties affected by this should make complaints to the Secretary of State via their local MP until a hand from the upper echelon's of the DWP this will continue unchallenged in most cases.
(well done Kati!!)
nem

[Kati]

Re: Accompanied Job Centre Visits

It is time in my opinion that parties affected by this should make complaints to the Secretary of State via their local MP until a hand from the upper echelon's of the DWP this will continue unchallenged in most cases.

Our MP is useless at this sort of thing xx

[nemesis45]

Re: Accompanied Job Centre Visits

Our MP is useless at this sort of thing xx

Have you written to his constituency address instead of direct to the House?
Sometimes the secretaries " pick up" on matters at the constituency office quicker
than those at the Commons.

nem:tinysmile_twink_t2::tinysmile_twink_t2:

[Kati]

Re: Accompanied Job Centre Visits

Have you written to his constituency address instead of direct to the House?
Sometimes the secretaries " pick up" on matters at the constituency office quicker
than those at the Commons.

nem:tinysmile_twink_t2::tinysmile_twink_t2:

you should know me well enough by now [MENTION=55034]nemesis45[/MENTION] ... I like to straight to the 'big boys' xx

[nemesis45]

Re: Accompanied Job Centre Visits

you should know me well enough by now @nemesis45 ... I like to straight to the 'big boys' xx

I thought this might be the case Kati!! xx