Issues with my work couch - Disability.

Northener

Dear Friends,

My name is Maria, and I am reaching out for your help regarding an issue I am facing with my work coach. I am 66 years old, disabled woman, and was assessed as having enhanced disability with 12 points from PIP. I have multiple health issues, with several diagnoses from NHS doctors. When I completed the WCA (Work Capability Assessment) in April, before the pip assessment, through the DWP, the decision was that I could do some types of work. I have challenged this decision twice, and now my case is at the tribunal stage.

Every time I have visited the Jobcentre with the assistance of a relative who acts as my carer, the staff have been understanding and supportive—except for my current work coach, who was assigned to me after I received the DWP's decision. From our first meeting, he has been cold, rude, and dismissive of my condition, repeatedly insisting that I am capable of working and comparing my situation to others who he claims have worse health issues than mine. For example, he has sent me work advertisements as a security guard or cleaner.

Two weeks ago, we had a phone appointment during which I explained my situation again and mentioned additional medical evidence from NHS doctors and my PIP assessment, which clearly shows that I am unable to care for myself, let alone work. He asked if I could get a sick note, and the call ended abruptly after less than five minutes. Even before I got a note, he sent me an invitation to a face-to-face work search. After obtaining a three-month sick note, which one of his colleagues approved, my coach changed our next appointment from a "work search" to a "commitments review."

I feel like this work coach is bullying me, treating me as if I am a fraud, and disregarding my legitimate health issues. His behaviour has left me feeling unwell, constantly in tears, and worthless. I have written a detailed letter requesting to speak with his manager, but despite multiple follow-up messages, I have received only vague responses and no contact from the manager. I feel terrified about my upcoming appointment with this person tomorrow.

I am not asking for mercy—only for my rights. What can I do tomorrow? Should I insist on meeting the manager directly? What are my legal options if this bullying and discrimination continue?

I appreciate your support.

Many thanks,

Maria

Rosie_Scope

Hi @Northener. Sorry to hear you're having troubles with your work coach. It makes all the difference to have supportive people around you, and I'm sorry your coach has been so dismissive.

It's worth asking to speak to a manager tomorrow if you can manage it. You shouldn't have to stay with a coach that you feel is treating you badly. Did you keep any copies of the letters you wrote in case you might need them later? Sometimes it's good to have some written evidence to show what's been going on.

If you feel up to it, it might be time to start thinking about making a complaint about how you've been treated:

Complaints procedure - Department for Work and Pensions - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Hope you can get things sorted soon, it must be really stressful ❤️

Needhelpandadvice

@Northener At 66 you should be close to retirement age. When is your retirement age?

The DWP are obviously being over zealous in relation to a person of your age.

I personally would make a complaint on your journal, even though I am not on UC so my advise in relation to it, is not really valid.

However, it is disgusting that a so called work coach should be able to treat you like this.

WhatThe

Oh Maria!

Your coach is probably hoping you will not turn up to the appointment so he can issue a sanction. I've met several like that at JCP, young men who know nothing about older women or ill health and care even less.

Ask your relative to record the interview tomorrow but don't tell them or the appointment may be brought to an end. Ask for the manager's name and have the coach write it down - he may refuse so keep asking and he'll probably and talk to his manager or find a colleague to take over 🤨 . Ask for a copy of your 'action plan' or 'work plan' or whatever they want to call it. If there isn't one then they're making it up as they go along. Insist on telephone appointments as a reasonable adjustment.

I have nothing good to say about DWP. While the front line - job coach - pretends to know nothing about you or your circumstances, the system and the decision makers in the back offices certainly do. There is usually an agent on a nearby desk trying to look busy so these 'interviews' are deliberately not discrete. I had a joint interview once and wept for the entire hour without one of them saying a word to me. I've had to be strong for so long and have a few more years of this treatment to endure before I can retire. Nothing I say to them matters. We do not deserve this!

You're a senior citizen so this is a complete waste of their resources and your time. Both applications are in the hands of DWP via JCP agents. Contact your MP and ask them to investigate and do the hard work for you.

The Tribunal is very likely to overturn DWP decision(s) so trust in that process while you keep JCP at bay.

WhatThe

I left a comment a couple of hours ago which must be queueing somewhere 😶

WhatThe

No, I highlighted and pasted but it was seized by the software again. It should appear in the morning. Nothing controversial.

Dear Maria 💜

WhatThe

You're asking the wrong person 😄 techphobe here

chiarieds

Sometimes messages get caught in Scope's spam filter, & Admin will sort it in the morning, as mentioned.

About drafts, I use a desktop computer, but the answer to your query I hope can be found by looking here if you scroll down to the 'MeBox' :

https://forum.scope.org.uk/kb/articles/8-mobile-device-or-tablet-a-guide-to-using-the-online-community

WhatThe

Oh Maria!

Your coach is probably hoping you will not turn up to the appointment so he can issue a sanction. I've met several like that at JCP, young men who know nothing about older women or ill health and care even less.

Ask your relative to record the interview tomorrow but don't tell them or the appointment may be brought to an end. Ask for the manager's name and have the coach write it down - he may refuse so keep asking and he'll probably and talk to his manager or find a colleague to take over 🤨 . Ask for a copy of your 'action plan' or 'work plan' or whatever they want to call it. If there isn't one then they're making it up as they go along. Insist on telephone appointments as a reasonable adjustment.

I have nothing good to say about DWP. While the front line - job coach - pretends to know nothing about you or your circumstances, the system and the decision makers in the back offices certainly do. There is usually an agent on a nearby desk trying to look busy so these 'interviews' are deliberately not discrete. I had a joint interview once and wept for the entire hour without one of them saying a word to me. I've had to be strong for so long and have a few more years of this treatment to endure before I can retire. Nothing I say to them matters. We do not deserve this!

You're a senior citizen so this is a complete waste of their resources and your time. Both applications are in the hands of DWP via JCP agents. Contact your MP and ask them to investigate and do the hard work for you.

The Tribunal is very likely to overturn DWP decision(s) so trust in that process while you keep JCP at bay.

AndrewHall

I have the same experience with a so called work coach. When I started giving him back as much I got and bullying him back, he left me alone.

I have zero tolerance for foolishness.

Sue_koffenschwaller

article 23 [1] of the united nations declaration of human rights states and i quote "Article 23

Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment." which means you and only you choose what suitable work you look for and not the work coach as it would be a criminal offence to deny you your human rights. also if you have a disability or chronic health condition then they have a duty under the 2010 equalities act to adjust your commitments. you can change your commitments any time you like to suit your needs via your journal . the u.k gov own website clearly states“If you’re fit for work

You’ll need to agree to look for work that is “suitable for your health condition”.”

. you do not have to be in receipt of PIP, LCW to be have a health condition the dwp's own best interviewing practice policy states and i quote "Labour Market instructions dwp

Interviewing Good Practice

“Leaving control with the claimant.

• Consider the following:

• the more control claimants have over what is in their Claimant

Commitment, the more likely they are to be committed to it, and the

more confident they are likely to be about their abilities and

themselves.”… “The claimant should be in

Control when discussing interests and work goals. Let them make their

own choices.”

universal credit is tailored to your needs so don't let them tailor you to fit their targets . you remain in control of your commitments not the work coach . they would be breaking their own policy/procedure by imposing their agendas, objectives and outcomes onto the claimant. they can encourage but they cannot impose but they don't like claimants to know that . so stand your ground put it in black and white in your journal and put a formal complaint in if they disrespect your rights etc. there's a reason this lot is currently been investigated by the european court of human rights and it's not because of infinite acts of benevolence. "knowledge is power" francis bacon said and the power in this instance is in the written word and not the opinions or pernicious agendas of the work coach. reclaim your power and use the written word to your advantage .

good luck and please share