Can Jobcentre remove certain jobs from my work search commitments?

[careassistantjobs]

Can I have a certain type of work removed from my work search commitments?

I’m being pushed into applying for care assistance jobs and this is something I am not prepared to do. I have explained to my work coach but they are saying I have to take their recommendation to start applying for these types of jobs as well as I’ve not been successful so far and need to widen my job searches.

i have requested a GP letter detailing why I can’t do this type of work (severe sensory issues and phobias due to autism) and I’m hoping that will be enough?

Has anyone else been through this ? I feel they aren’t being understanding at all. I have limitations and I’m trying my best but there are some things I just can’t do, or do they just expect me to apply with no intention of doing it to fill the work search hours ? But if I was offered a job and declined I would be sanctioned ?

Jobs are advertised with an application deadline, I apply, hear nothing then see the same ads over and over (places like Next, hotel chocolat, various other clothing shops) I never get an interview. I’ve been in to the actual shops where the vacancies are and spoken to the managers and they tell me ‘do the online application’ that it’s nothing to do with them ? I feel like they are just collecting a bank of applicants and is there even a role?

Can you just go to the interview and be suitably unenthusiastic OP? It's hard enough to get a job when you want one. I'm sure if you go and make it clear you don't want the job you will not be offered? You could even have a bit of fun with it, come in chewing gum holding a slushie, high five the interview panel etc.

Do let us know how you get on.

I’d rather be honest from the outset than waste anyone’s time.

I might find out if doing some kind of qualification counts towards work search instead so that I don’t have to be forced into pointless applications for unsuitable jobs.

Social Care Work is so undervalued, it needs people who actually want to do that role. Expecting Carers on NMW to take obs e.g blood pressure monitoring, oxygen sats and interpret them to make a decision if medical intervention is required is just bloody wrong. Anyway, rant over...

It's awful that your being forced but if you have to play their game, apply for the job and if you are interviewed, explain to the panel but mention if they had any office based, kitchen, general cleaning or laundry room roles (if you're ok with meal prep, cleaning, laundry and ironing etc) you would love to be considered for those - might be worth a try?

As a carer please don't be forced into a job you're not prepared to do correctly. Ive seen some really shit carers & nurses in my days and you can tell its because they had no other choice and its always the patient who suffers.

I can see why there is this rule in place or people may just discount roles they don't fancy, whilst trying to wait for their "perfect" job whilst unlimitedly claiming benefits.

But then on the other hand, I work in mental health and wouldn't want people who really didn't want to be there or care about our patients looking after our patients.

The job market is tough at the moment...I have a 16 year old willing to do anything as a part time/Saturday job and hasn't been given an interview.

What exactly about care puts you off? Is it personal care? As there is many care categories that don't require personal care. Or is it something else?

Unless it’s a massive home, you’re expected (IME) to do all this. Bigger places generally have housekeeping teams and possibly kitchen staff, but smaller ones will require you to do all those roles as one.

I think sadly the job market is so dire at the moment that everyone is chasing retail jobs even. My newly graduated ds with a good degree is working a 16 hour a week job in retail just to have something. Older people are in competition with new graduates and school leavers and people looking for second jobs due to the cost of living crisis.
Places like Age Uk are always looking for PA's to help older people sort paperwork, bills, benefits etc.

Maybe depends on the area, MILs home (small) had kitchen and laundry staff.

Another relative works in a home, LA run again small, they have kitchen staff (1xcook), laundry (1x nightshift) and cleaners (2)

What would you do if you lived in a country without benefits? You’d get a job.

Why can’t you lift things? You’re not disabled. Apply for warehouse work.

If you don’t want to do unskilled work then go back to school, take out student loans, get a qualification and start a career. You get one life. Do something with it instead of sitting on benefits.

So your final sentence. You think minimum wage is a poverty wage? Surely you can understand that everyone cannot earn more than minimum wage. De facto that raises minimum wage by stealth. Businesses are already struggling with increased employment costs.

I have multiple hernias. Have had 3 repairs in the past and waiting for more and have been told not to do certain things such as lifting / manual work.

Have a look at educational authority website they always advertise about jobs- either cleaning or catering.

Thankyou

12 months is quite a long time @careassistantjobs there is lots of jobs out there you COULD have probably taken in this time but you CHOOSE not too and so the rest of the world working are expected to facilitate you being overly picky???? The work coaches are paid to get people into work not to facilitate laziness!!

Also at time of year there is lots of seasonal stuff coming up so off mumsnet, on to the jobs board and get yourself something seasonal - retail perhaps? Or hospitality lined up. They also keep some of these staff on so that could be a good option.

I work in a jobcenter albeit not in the UK. Have you provided medical evidence of why you cannot take jobs with heavy lifting? And the sensory issues around autism? That would be enough here.
Having said that I would recommend that you look closer at some of the disabled helper jobs (forgive the rough translation) - not all require heavy lifting and personal care.

@careassistantjobs

Do you live in an area where there is a McDonalds, OP?

https://people.mcdonalds.co.uk/

Maybe I wasn’t clear - I have fully met my work search requirements I just haven’t been offered any interviews, I haven’t turned anything down ! I’ve also attended support sessions and workshops.

my work coach was telling I have to apply for different jobs now due to this and pushing care work.

Yes I apply whenever vacancies come up locally and will continue to do so

Your work coach is just doing their job.

What specifically about care work can't you do? As there are many different categories of care work involving different things...not all are personal care type roles.

Would you like your vulnerable relative have intimate care provided by somone totally unsuitable for the job.?

Surely you could do both a qualification and search a job. Most people search for their next job whilst working full time.

Because its just that eaay 🙄

just do what the Jobcentre tell you to do. Or face the consequences. You aren't super special, sorry to point that out, and you are not guaranteed the role even if you do apply for caring roles.

Turn this around: how many people keep doing stressful jobs they hate?