AIBU to want a different Universal Credit work coach?

[QuestioningEverythingNow]

dons hard hat in advance

I have always worked and have been a solid earner but have been recently told formally (writing was arguably on the wall a few months before) that my job is being outsourced to a combination of a cheaper service centre outside the UK and AI. As I said I saw it coming but assumed I would be able to get a new job quickly or that an exit package would be offered. That has not happened.

I have been looking while still employed, but the job market has handed it's arse to me and it is clear that I will struggle to find a new role quickly. I therefore went to the Job Centre to claim UC from when my employment ends.

My AIBU is that I have NO faith in the work coach that I have been allocated.
She literally struggled to navigate the basic sign up process - not clicking in the right place, not recognising where a response was required, not seeing where answers were already answered so clicking "back" instead of "next". What should have been a 30 min ID check took almost an hour. She doesn't have great typing skills so lots of typo errors when filling in fields etc. I ended up asking her to face the screen towards me and pointing out typos, missed fields, incorrect selections from drop downs etc. No issue with it being collaborative, some people aren't great with typing on screens etc.

This is not personal - I have nothing against her. I just don't think this person is going to be helpful to me in my very urgent job hunt. I have to see her every week which I have no issue with but I just don't have much faith in how she will actually help me and I am DESPERATE - I am job-hunting almost constantly - I am so stressed - I am doing my own searches and applications, sweating my network, applying to anything (not just in my field) etc.

I have never claimed before, never thought I would have to but here I am. I have no issue with her personally but I just can't see how she is going to be helpful when she doesn't seem that capable on a basic ID check and seemed to have zero experience or awareness of my job and what roles would be suitable. My job is basic - I am an accountant, nothing at all to write home about. She kept suggesting applications to things far outside my remit and that I am not qualified for eg SEN teaching assistants, delivery driving (I don't have access to a car) etc.

Is it possible to request a different work coach? At the moment, I can't see how we will work well together.

Is that entitled given that I am seeking to claim benefits, and am fully aware that I am quite privileged that this is an option in itself, something I am very aware of. Perhaps ashamed as well.

I could be panicking/catastrophising so am braving AIBU for more balanced views.

I will attend the next appointment and be polite and engaged - I just wondered if it would be better to switch coach sooner rather than later. Is that possible? Any suggestions, shared experiences, guidance would be so appreciated.

Hi,

Yes feel free to PM.

I wouldn’t be concerned about age hiring in my team (and would actually prefer the diversity, and think that would be mostly true across my firm as it’s big on DEI).

It is weird your getting to interview and then being told there is no role though - but happy to take into PMs if you want to be more specific and I’m happy to share my thoughts!

In the eyes of the job centre, she's female, has kids, is numerate, can communicate in English and needs a job. That's enough it itself before you take into account she's had management experience, so would have had experience in training and explaining things to new staff.

Surprised she hasn't been asked if she's considered becoming a Maths teacher, tbh.

I know this isnt what you are asking, but id recommend looking at management or governance and compliance jobs in the charity sector.
So many seem to want people to be qualified accountants, not because they'll be being accountants but so they've got the necessary financial understanding!

Also, with why aren't you getting redundancy pay? Not because it will affect you claiming UC whilst searching but you said there is no exit package but you should legally entitled to statutory redundancy pay.

But they werent suggested a TA roll by the job coach were they - it was a Teacher role!!!

This IS the job coach. A rose by any other name and all that. There might be other linked govt bodies in your area who are more useful. (Still free.)
www.skillsconnect.org.uk/