To think this is basically harassment

[Ilovelongdogs]

I have been put on the Restart scheme (government scheme to help the long term unemployed get back into work). I left work when I had my child as I became a single parent. She has now turned 3 so it is apparently mandatory for me to be put onto this scheme.

I just feel as though I’m being harassed by them. I receive constant emails by them, constant new appointments. I was told that I would only need to see them once every 2 weeks but some times I’m having to go in once in the morning then go home and go back again late afternoon the same day. Then another appointment is booked in for the day after.

my daughter attends preschool but only 3 days a week in the mornings and I’ve told restart this but they still keep booking appointments in when she is not at nursery and they have told me I can not bring her as they are group inductions so I tell them I can not attend. I feel like I’m going round in circles and I’m forever having emails with new appointments sent to me. I’m only being told about the appointment the day before as well.

The office is also about 25 minutes drive from my house so not very close.

I’m really fed up with it. I want to get back into work but don’t feel like this is helping me at all

I have been told they can pay for childcare expenses but the daughter already attends preschool and they don’t have any more space or availability for me to book her any extra hours. They don’t seem to be taking my circumstances into account.

How come she only does 3 mornings a week if she's 3? I thought people got 30 hours a week these days, if she's entitled to 30 hours then you should be working part time

@Hellzbellz25 she gets 15 hours free at the moment. I am looking for part time work but until I am working she can only have the 15 hours. I have been put on the restart scheme to help find employment

Pre schools and nurseries can't just make place appear no matter how much you are entitled to them.

While op is not working she will only be entitled to 3 hours a day. Factor in pick up /drop off and it's not a lot at all.

I'd do everything by email so there's a paper trail. Respond to every message. If you can't attend explain why and ask to reschedule. Everytime say when you are available. If you have a phone call with them follow it up with a message confirming what was discussed.

Are you actively looking for work yourself?

What other jobs have you applied for OP? If you find the scheme unhelpful then your best bet is to find a job yourself so you no longer have to go to the meetings. What did you used to do pre DC?

Could it be a tactic to inconvenience you rather than make it easy for you? If made easy, how many people might sit back and chill knowing they've only got to pop in fortnightly? Just an idea maybe?

Ive been on the restart scheme since my son turned 3 but im also now pregnant so uc doesn't expect me to jobsearch atm since im over 20 weeks, however i dont yet have my matb1. I also feel like its harassment and not helpful in the slightest. Ive had 3 different advisors and every appointment is just booked without any question of a convenient timing for yourself. My son goes to nursery everyday but they still book appointments at times i would need to take him or pick him up. Also whenever you change an appointment they put it down as not attended which makes you look bad. Does anyone know how long you would have to stay on this scheme while pregnant? Or is it that i need to give them a matb1? Or do they just continue to harass you up until you give birth?

Yes, I think they hassle you till you get a job. It's silly because they're cutting into your job hunting time.

Making you travel there twice in a day when you've got a child you aren't allowed to take is ridiculous. Yes it does sound like government sponsored harassment

I’m currently sat in tears because of these. Been with them 2 weeks and they email me , txt and call me everyday! I’m working a couple of days self employed but need to find another job. Completely reliant on childcare so makes it difficult. Feel crap enough that I get rejected for jobs . Txt me with courses to attend the day before. Email me jobs that are miles away or completely unsuitable . When you apply for jobs they want proof and chase them up for you. Iv already applied to do an apprenticeship for dwp I applied before I started with these and waiting to hear back but they just seem to have dismissed that. Sending my anxiety through the roof. Was told it would be every fortnight but it’s every week. Was meant to be a phone app today but now telling me I need to go in.
want me to attend a course and expect me to find childcare in the summer hols and they won’t help with child care. It’s a joke

Only if you work 16 hours

Hi, I have recently been put on this restart scheme to get me back into work. I am a single mother to a 3 year old with no family support to help me in any way possible.
I have been put forward for a a 20 hour a week online course, I have had to resit my maths and English too whilst my daughter is still only doing 15 hours a week of childcare at preschool. She hasn’t been that well recently either causing me more issues.
I am generally out of work because I can’t find a job that is that flexible around a single parent. It’s not because I don’t want to work. I can’t afford the childcare during the school holidays. I have been told I can spread my 30 hours free childcare over a 52 week period but that means I’m still out of pocket and everything I would earn would go on childcare, be deducted through the benefit cap after I earn £379 and also travel costs. I’m completely worn out now struggling to manage. I have received a letter last minute in the post on a Saturday to add another appointment to my schedule not from my work coach at the scheme either demanding I attended on the upcoming Wednesday for a work preparation event when I’m already on a course and I’m sure my child care have already been noted on my account and disregarded as important clearly. The letter is in fact rather threatening comparing I have been to every appointment so far and been in touch.
threatening to sanction me for (7, 14 or 28 days)
I already have a face to face appointment the day before and trying to complete my maths and English. It’s becoming so overwhelming to cope with.
can someone advice me on what I do?

thanks

Op it’s going to keep going like this,as you need to be available for work, child care issues, like if you’re working, are yours to sort, I’m sorry.

you also need to be careful as they will ultimately remove your benefits totally if you fail to find work in this year or compulsory place you.

Sorry didn’t realise it was a zombie thread