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Original poster

Work coach with UC job interview and flexible working

76 replies

NishaaS123 · 04/08/2023 20:17

Hi,

I have recently applied for dwp work coach and got a pre recorded interview invite. Has anyone done that? What sort of questions do I look out for?
also is anyone working for them how’s their situation with hybrid working. I have a 3 year old who I need to pick and drop to daycare etc.

OP posts:
Arowley · 05/08/2023 16:33

@trickortrickier Do you get to ask about the working pattern once checks are all complete? Can you ask for the compressed/ term time only pattern straight away? Someone else has said on another thread about how much violence, anger and confrontations you get. I'd prefer WFH and doing telephone/ journals hahahhaha

AnxiousShep · 05/08/2023 16:48

Absolutely no working from home in our district.
I also forgot to mention employee deal. Covering on a rota for Saturdays and to 6.30pm during the week.

DWP Staff that don’t work in Jobcentres tend to have much more flexibility re homeworking.

trickortrickier · 05/08/2023 18:13

You have to formally request term time working or compressed hours. It will depend on the 'needs of the business' whether it can be allowed. It is sometimes- other times not. You have a right to request it but not to be allowed it. Employee deal means that your working pattern has to align with the needs of the office. There has to be a certain percentage of people in at all times - so this can also affect leave. So every 6 months there has to be a lot of negotiation between what you want and what you can have in terms of a working pattern depending on what everyone else has chosen as their own working pattern.

Onceuponatime56 · 05/08/2023 18:19

I’ve just interviewed for this role and am waiting to hear the outcome. As far as I’m aware it’s flexible working in terms of offering part time hours but that does include late evenings once a week and some Saturdays.

trickortrickier · 05/08/2023 18:21

For Example if you work 30 hrs per week your preference might be to work 9-3 Mon - Fri but in reality you might have to work 1 in 4 Saturdays and have 2 in 4 Fridays where you work 12.30 - 6.30 to cover business needs. Once agreed this rota would last 6 months and then the negotiations would start again for the next 6 months.

Original poster
NishaaS123 · 05/08/2023 18:29

@trickortrickier

Ah okay, so no option really to WFH then. I am still waiting for an outcome on the interview but might not be able accept the offer if that’s the case 😩

OP posts:
Bratzoverbarbie · 05/08/2023 18:37

Name changed for this.

I'm a work coach.

I work 8:30 til 2:45 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and 8:30 til 5 Tuesday and Saturday.

That allows me flexibility for childcare.

WFH here in Kent is extremely unlikely unless you have exceptional circumstances. Childcare isn't one. We have the IT required to work from home because we had to during covid. As a new starter, you'll be expected to be in the office full time.

As work coaches, we need to be in the office full time in order to support our customers best.

Best employer I've ever worked for.

Have a look at the STAR method. Research situational judgement questions. PM me if you have any questions. Good luck!

trickortrickier · 05/08/2023 18:38

NishaaS123 · 05/08/2023 18:29

@trickortrickier

Ah okay, so no option really to WFH then. I am still waiting for an outcome on the interview but might not be able accept the offer if that’s the case 😩

It is really not a WFH job. We do do phone appointments but the vast majority of contact is F2F. Online interviews are being trialed but this would not be suitable for most of the people we deal with for very many reasons. Plus you need the support of colleagues especially when learning the role and that is hard to do online.

AlRRRR · 05/08/2023 18:46

Ooooo 9- 3 mon to fri and 1 sat a month sounds ace !

AlRRRR · 05/08/2023 18:48

@Bratzoverbarbie

hey! I’ve been offered the role in Yorkshire. Just waiting for the last checks to come through.

Somebody said that it’s a very difficult role with lots of confrontational customers. kinda put me off …..

So do you work six days a week every week?

AnxiousShep · 05/08/2023 18:50

@AlRRRR don't forget that we still have to be on the rota for cover to 5pm and 6.30pm.

trickortrickier · 05/08/2023 18:50

If you work a Sat you have a day off in the week instead.

AlRRRR · 05/08/2023 18:51

@AnxiousShep I suppose if it’s well in advance, then I could employ a nanny to help out.

Nochoiceleft · 05/08/2023 18:52

I said I work to 2.30 and I do most days but I still have to do my share of 5pm and 6.30 finishes.
I do love my job though.

AnxiousShep · 05/08/2023 18:52

It is agreed every six months and you know three months in advance of the rota starting.

trickortrickier · 05/08/2023 18:56

AnxiousShep · 05/08/2023 18:52

It is agreed every six months and you know three months in advance of the rota starting.

Yep - we have a new rota starting Sep that will take us to March. In Dec/Jan it will kick off again and we will be asked our preferences for March 24.

AnxiousShep · 05/08/2023 18:57

@AlRRRR it is a difficult role. There are regular changes and management want all the admin doing without giving the time to do it.
Customers mostly don’t want to be there but know they have to be. But I come across very little confrontation. I always try and do the best I can for my customers and I love the job.

AlRRRR · 05/08/2023 19:04

@AnxiousShep ah okay! The other person was making it out like it’s the worst in the world and you’re fearing for your damn life hahahhaa

Bratzoverbarbie · 05/08/2023 19:05

AlRRRR · 05/08/2023 18:48

@Bratzoverbarbie

hey! I’ve been offered the role in Yorkshire. Just waiting for the last checks to come through.

Somebody said that it’s a very difficult role with lots of confrontational customers. kinda put me off …..

So do you work six days a week every week?

That's a tricky one. Yes, you will have confrontational customers.

How you manage those customers is down to you. Treat each customer fairly. Take into consideration their circumstances. Reassure them you are there to help, SHOW them how you can help them to help themselves.

A lot of those confrontational customers have difficult circumstances. You might be the only person they've had a conversation with that week. They likely have an issue they find hard telling you about. Make yourself personable and approachable.

Remember their argument isn't with you, it's with their circumstances and threw system. You're there to help them negotiate it and provide support.

I've heard horror stories before I started this job about work coaches having a God Complex. I guarantee they had more confrontational customers than anybody else. Do the maths!

AlRRRR · 05/08/2023 19:07

@Bratzoverbarbie yes exactly. I agree. I’m a trained social worker and It’s true, you don’t know how a person’s day has gone before coming to your meeting

Bratzoverbarbie · 05/08/2023 19:07

I don't do earlies or latest, my flexibility is working every Saturday. Today was a great day at work! So much satisfaction in seeing customers move forward and make changes. Its beyond rewarding.

trickortrickier · 05/08/2023 19:08

The job is made confrontational sometimes by what is imposed from above. The Work Coach is not given the trust to manage their own caseload effectively. This can cause issues when you've agreed something that someone else changes just to get the number of appointments up. You are constantly fire fighting.

AlRRRR · 05/08/2023 19:11

Undecided, whether or not i’m going to take on the role. I’ll see. My other idea is setting up as a self employed nanny and bridging the gap offering childcare services ad hoc/ emergency cover 🤣

Bratzoverbarbie · 05/08/2023 19:13

trickortrickier · 05/08/2023 19:08

The job is made confrontational sometimes by what is imposed from above. The Work Coach is not given the trust to manage their own caseload effectively. This can cause issues when you've agreed something that someone else changes just to get the number of appointments up. You are constantly fire fighting.

I couldn't agree more. I appreciate the amount of autonomy we have compared to other jobs but the powers that be don't always have the best ideas.

Bratzoverbarbie · 05/08/2023 19:15

AlRRRR · 05/08/2023 19:11

Undecided, whether or not i’m going to take on the role. I’ll see. My other idea is setting up as a self employed nanny and bridging the gap offering childcare services ad hoc/ emergency cover 🤣

I speak only for myself but I love it. I look forward to going to work every day. It doesn't feel like a 'job'.

If you like helping people, consider it!