Jobcentre Plus and poor services to refugee customers

Refugees are not recognised by DWP as having additional support needs. They are mainstreamed.

Refugee customers do have additional jobsearch needs to mainstream customers.

Colleagues in the Refugee Careers Advisers Network tell me that they are also, as small voluntary sector organisations, spending much time and money to support distressed clients with mistakes and other poor Jobcentre Plus services.

We are not funded to mitigate Jobcentre Plus activities.

Below are reasons why overstretched JCP advisers should be offered additional training, information and advice on how to support refugee customers.

In the last week, 3 of my refugee clients have contacted me asking me for support about quite serious, unhelpful, mistaken actions by their Jobcentre.  That is 10% of my caseload.  It has so far taken around 2 hours of my time to assist them to sort the issues out.  This is not within my role and we are not funded by Jobcentre Plus to assist them.

 - A refugee client was informed in writing that he is an EEA customer and his benefits will be stopped in May.  A mistake.  A refugee is not a migrant.

 - 2 refugee clients successfully found employment. They have been told that their support will completely stop in the next days - leaving them with zero income for 1 month.  Also a mistake.


 - Many clients - many -  are put on a merry-go-round of jobsearch workshops, without the holistic targetted guidance and work experience that years of voluntary sector refugee services and research show that most refugees require.


Looking forward to low refugee job outcomes being identified by DWP so that money on longterm unemployment support can be saved by providing targetted services.  

Is there a cheaper way? Counting the cost to the UK tax payer of systemically keeping refugees out of work

A typical, expensive-to-the-tax-payer scenario:

A person asks for refugee protection in the UK from persecution or danger of persecution overseas

While this is being considered, they are not allowed to work (ie they are an 'Asylum Seeker')

While this is being considered, they are not allowed 'recourse to public funds' : Asylum Seekers cannot access education, training or employment. They are dispersed around the UK and cannot access employment support services during this time. They can volunteer if they can manage to find any. 

They may be refused Refugee status and deported. Most are refused (62% refusal rate end of 2014)  website http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/assets/0003/3271/Asylum_Statistics_Nov_2014.pdf)

They may be given refugee protection in the UK. If this happens...  

They are told to relocate and find their own housing... and find a job

There are no settlement services. The reason given is costs savings... 

How much does it cost to maintain the typical scenario described below? 

Has anyone done a cost-benefit analysis of alternative models? 

The person with refugee status starts to try to find a job. Any job. 

Refugees are not mentioned in the Equality Act 2010 but...

Refugees have permission to work in any job. They have a National Insurance number and an ID card.  Few employers are aware of this right or of the card. 

Around 25% of refugees in the UK are highly skilled.  Persecuted Academics, Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers, Scientists.. 

They are joining the refugee community, around 70% of whom experience longterm unemployment 

(p16. Strategy now closed. There are currently no GLA settlement services. https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/London%20Enriched%20The%20Mayor%27s%20Strategy%20for%20Refugee%20Integration.pdf

While they are looking for work and for new housing they are told to find their own way through the impenetrable benefits system in order to have a new post-asylum roof over their head and find a job to move into independent life and contribute as new members of UK society 

Refugees are mainstreamed by Jobcentre Plus, with no records kept and no services to address their specific settlement needs around knowing how the UK labour market works and addressing resistance by the market to inclusion of refugee job applicants. ie Refugees are invisible as customers.

Many Refugees find themselves on a merry-go-round of expensive repetitive services that do not address their needs,  often facing benefits sanctions for trying to gain professional experience (as an example) - and move into expensive longterm unemployment. 

Others find cleaning, security, postal, taxi jobs and are unable to access the professional work experience and training that would assist them back into professional, tax-paying work. 

Is this a cheaper alternative?: 

New Job Centre Plus refugee claimants are offered Employment Support Allowance

For a year 

During which time they are not subjected to sanctions for not being able to find a job but are provided with employment orientation services, group and 1-1 by qualified staff. 

Claimants move into relevant, sustainable employment, quicker and at less cost to the tax payer. 

Let's do some calculations.....  who's going to do it?  

Transitions candidate worse off with work than on benefits.

Transitions paid this person £300 for consultancy Transitions publicity design work spread over 3 weeks. The response from the Benefits agency was to cut 100% of his JSA and Housing benefit. We assisted him to complain. The final outcome was that he was £30.04 worse off.

As he says below  

"Just wanted to update you on the ordeal I had with Jobcentre and my Council. Good news is, it's all sorted.  I ended up only slightly worse off. As you can see, I ended up being £30 worse off doing part-time work. This raises the question whether we can blame people for not finding work or not declaring their part-time work when they're going to be worse off? Also is it worth the hassle?

It's an interesting observation on how benefits are calculated. You could post this on twitter/facebook/website if you want too (as long as it's made anonymous)." 

 Here's how it's calculated:

JSA: £72.40 a week (suspended for 3 weeks)

Housing Benefit: £79.29 a week (reduced to £50.47 a week for 3 weeks)

Income: £72.40 a week on JSA (£100 a week for three weeks doing part-time job)

On JSA

Income: £72.40 + £79.29 = £151.69

Doing Part-Time Job

Income: (£100 + £50.47) - £28.82 = £121.65 (the £28.82 is to cover rent on the reduced housing benefit)

Gain/Loss: (-£30.04)

Warm regards,
PD

Advice from Transitions candidates to other candidates on jobsearch strategies

November 2014

Advice from Transitions candidates to other candidates on some jobsearch techniques 

v Try not to use the same website over and over again.

v Taylor your CV to each job. Think what the employer needs and provide to that need.

About how to organise your jobsearch, especially if someone is a Jobcentre Plus customer 

v Do not leave job hunting to the last minute, try to space it out in the two weeks before you visit your advisor.

 About how to engage in a panel interview 

v Be prepared. After each question pause and thing of example, and answer the question. Try not to waffle.

How to spot and deal with cross-cultural misunderstandings in the whole process of applications and selection between employers and candidates.  

v I am from a different cultural background for example in treating managers, and those above me in the organisation. I have learnt in this country to speak up and let your voice be heard.

 About assumptions you perhaps made around how employers in the UK view Qualifications and Experience 

v Most employers want to know if you can handle the work therefore they value experience. Be prepared to talk about it. If you do not have experience explain what you have learnt and widen out by talking about your qualification and how it would apply to the job. 

About recruitment agencies 

v It is very hard to find agencies that would secure you employment from my personal experience. Therefore try to be selective.

About explaining overseas qualifications and career gaps

v Personally I would put what I have been doing in the gap whether I was claiming JSA or attending a course.

 About explaining what refugee ID documents entitle people to

If you have a foreign name try to include in your CV that you have a work permit and you do not have restrictions. This way your potential employers would let go their fear that you may not have a right to work in the country. 

Wish I had known that…

Only two more years left to be a decade since I have started searching for a professional job related to my qualifications and previous work experience. I was a qualified Community Development Worker and coordinated Children and Young People Programme at national level for a big non-governmental organisation. I came to the UK for further study.  I have been living in London and it is the only ‘battle field’ where I have fought with many employers to get skilled job as a skilled refugee (immigrant). The battle was not easy – time consuming and very challenging that put all my experience and qualifications and my ability under question. I was frustrated and depressed because I was unemployed and homeless refugee. 

In the first two years of my endeavour I felt alone and a helpless person. In fact, jobcentre plus was at my side and by giving me jobseeker allowance and a sort of advice and information. The information and advice was very limited, most of the time checking a Claimant Commitment form i.e. plan what you need to do to find a job, keep a record of what happened and prove to your adviser that you’ve been looking for work. It helps to get jobseeker allowance but not a job. I applied for many jobs but almost all my applications were rejected. I was invited for an interview but only for few jobs. The respond from all organisations was the same. It starts with ‘we regret…’ not ‘we are pleased…’ and then it ends with …at this moment you were not successful’. After spent 18 months within this situation I started working in a Supermarket as a Cashier. I lost my confidence, my communication and interpersonal skills. But, I have continued the journey or fighting.

I have got more friends in the battle, individuals and organisations such as RAGU, Time Bank and Transitions which are committed to help people like me in providing information, advice and training. They admitted that the battle is not easy. But, they told me not to give up and they advised me to know the situation of the battle ground (the UK labour market), my circumstances (to asses my skills and knowledge, communication skills, culture and interpersonal skills) my plan, strategies and instruments (which job, where to find, how to find, CV and covering letters).

By their help particularly, by the help and support I got from Transitions I learned more about the battle ground and I changed my plan and strategies and my instruments as well. Of course, I am still not where I wish to be professionally and still  I am fighting but I am working.

I wish had I know when I started searching for a professional job about eight years ago, I would contact organisations like Transitions and assess my overseas qualification and work experience which I brought from abroad, my  knowledge of English language and the UK culture, my understanding about the UK labour market and my CV and interview skills.

Then, I would reflect on past experience and plan (SMART) what to do based on the result of the assessment by using the help and support of the organisations and individuals. 

Accordingly, I will write down

·       What I want to achieve within short, medium and long terms.

For example, taking short term courses like QCF with work placement (voluntary work), within 6 months or a year in order to get the UK qualification and work experience and to improve communication (language) skills including IT skills or to look for long term study if it is possible. After training or (while on training), looking for paid job. (When I started searching for a job my main aim was getting work related to children and young people and their families. But, I was requested to show NVQ qualification even if I have more than ten years of experience in working with children and young people or community development. That is why I mentioned QCF as important part of the options.)

·       What will I do to achieve this?

-       Take training (QCF)

-       Participate in Work placement (voluntary work)

-       Update CV

-       Searching for job

-       Networking

-       Interview practice

·       Support I need

-       Register with an organisation (e.g. Transition) to get information, advice and other support

-       Participate in workshop to update CV and to practice interview and application form techniques

-       Getting feedback from supporting organisation or career adviser

-       searching for job and apply  

·       Other support

-       Looking for organisations which can provide training

-       Networking through social medias, contact friends and other individuals

-       jobcentre for support

-       Searching for information on different organisations’ websites, employment agencies, newspapers, leaflets, libraries, etc.  

  

Transitions Stakeholders' Advisory Network meeting on Measuring Outcomes and Social Impact Thurs Nov 13th 2014

To book a place please contact: enquiries@transitions-london.co.uk or 020 86424431/07866 257421


Transitions Stakeholders’ Advisory Network meeting #11

Exploring measuring Outcomes & Impact

of Diversity and Corporate Responsibility activities

 in particular relation to engaging with refugee professionals

Date: Thursday November 13th 2014    Time: 14.00-17.00

Venue: Stockwell Resource Centre, 1 Studley Road, Stockwell, SW4 6RA

(behind Stockwell tube station)

: http://www.hyde-housing.co.uk/hydeplus/communityfacilities/stockwellcc

Objectives: Ø Exchange of experience & challenges around measuring impact Ø Measuring impact of Transitions’ services – how can Transitions do it better and share measurements with organisations for mutual benefit?

PROGRAMME  

14.00                                         Welcome/introductions

                                                      Objectives of the meeting/Terms of Reference of Transitions Advisory network

                                                      Summary of Transitions social enterprise model

14.15 - 15.30                       SPEAKERS:

                  Jen Smith, Group Head of Diversity and Inclusion, Circle Housing

Jen will talk about the practical impact benefits and challenges of Circle’s D&I initiatives 

Rosemary Maguire, Senior Consultant, New Economics Foundation

NEF is a leading think-tank providing training and services in Social Impact measurement and promoting social, economic & environmental justice. Rosie will introduce and discuss some Social Impact measurement principles and tools for proving and improving the effectiveness of programmes.

                                        CASE STUDY SMALL GROUPS DISCUSSION

15.30 - 15.45                       Break 

15.45 - 16.20                        Candidates and Organisations: Theory of Change small groups exercise

Exploration of how, what and why organisations measure the impact of initiatives  & which external/internal factors affect initiatives

16.20 - 16.45                        Feedback & action planning                                            

16.45 - 17.00                        Refreshments and networking

Workshop with EDF and Transitions for Engineers. Phone interview skills. Friday 3rd October 12-4pm.

        ARE YOU AN ENGINEER LOOKING FOR EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT ?

        WORKSHOP WITH EDF ENERGY & TRANSITIONS LONDON C.I.C.

        TELEPHONE INTERVIEW SKILLS 

Friday 3rd October 2014 12.00-16.00 

Who may wish to participate 

➢ Graduate Electrical, Civil, Mechanical, Chemical, Environmental Science Engineers & Maths graduates (Overseas and/or UK Degree/Masters)

➢ Refugee background 

➢ Based in London

➢ At least level 2 English 

For further details and to book a place

Enquiries@transitions-london.co.uk  

tel 020 86424431/07866 257421 

EDF Energy team:

Vanessa Corsie – Recruitment Manager

Patryk Kilim       – Recruitment Consultant

Ola Crown          – Recruitment Consultant

Transitions London C.I.C. team

Sheila Heard       - Managing director

Workshop is free. Travel expenses will be refunded on presentation of a receipt. 

Focus group with Tuesday's Child TV production company Friday 5th September 2014

Below is information about a focus group that Transitions held on Friday 5th September with Tuesday's Child TV production company. The subject was exploring the experience of UK jobseeking professionals with refugee background. Tuesday's child are looking into making a TV programme on the subject. 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION : Development of TV Programme for potential commissioning by Channel 4.

Tuesday’s Child is a TV production company founded by Karen Smith, previously BBC Creative Director   https://www.linkedin.com/pub/karen-smith/14/ab0/524  

They wished to consult a range of individuals and organisations in order to produce a TV programme, commissioned by Channel 4, to explore the topic of the very considerable challenges that jobseeking professions with refugee backgrounds face in the UK, with no statutory services for refugee orientation/settlement and a range of refugee-related issues to solve and perhaps come up with some potential solutions. They are aware that Refugees and Asylum Seekers are sometimes maligned in the press and misunderstood by the public and wish to contribute to addressing that.

They are in the process of creating a robust Factual arm, spearheaded by award-winning Executive Producer Steph Harris. https://www.linkedin.com/pub/steph-harris/6a/394/127   The Production manager is Richard Langlois  http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/richard-langlois/87/467/63

Tuesday’s Child read the article published by the Guardian Weekend magazine in March 2014:

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/08/professional-refugees-lawyers-doctors-minimum-wage-uk

They want to explore your experiences and ideas, in particular around how to connect with more people and organisations in the UK, for mutual benefit. For example, the idea of a ‘Brokerage’ or ‘Alternative Job Centre’ of skills and experience offered and accepted by refugees from other individuals and organisations.    

Tuesday’s Child wished to host a focus group for around 6 Transitions candidates, as part of the consultation process for developing the programme.  Please find the Focus Group discussion points below.

In terms of data protection they would not require or release any names of participants of the focus group and would not want to film anyone. The meeting is purely for research, to hear about personal, first-hand experiences. They will use the information they learn when they go to their next meeting with the channel commissioner. They would like to take a still photograph of the members of the meeting- purely to show the commissioners when they discuss the project. Individuals could decide not to be in the photo. It would not be used for any other purpose without written permission from individuals.

If any of the focus group members were interested in being involved further, then they would start building more formal data protection and confidentiality agreements at a later date, after they have got concrete interest from the broadcasters. Both Tuesday’s Child and Channel 4 are committed to stringent data protection guidelines, so they would make certain that anything they learn from the focus group would go no further than between them and the commissioners at Channel 4.

TUESDAYS’ CHILD FOCUS GROUP WITH TRANSITIONS CANDIDATES: DISCUSSION POINTS

Tuesday’s Child Television

33 Foley St

London W1 W7Tl

0207 927 6470    

10-15 minutes walk from Oxford Circus or Goodge Street tubes http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=529152&y=181696&z=110&sv=foley+street&st=6&tl=Map+of+Foley+Street,+London,+W_1W&searchp=ids.srf&mapp=map.srf

Friday September 5^th 2014.

10.00am – 12.00

Travel expenses provided.  Please bring receipt.   Please arrive on time.

* Your background & coming to the UK

* Your time as an asylum seeker

* How your experience has changed since being granted refugee status

* The job hunting experience

* Did you do any volunteering as an asylum seeker?

* How important is having unpaid, relevant work experience?

* The biggest challenges in their view as a refugee

* How much contact and support do you receive from other asylum seekers/refugees

* Would you consider offering some of your professional skills to assist other people in London and gain UK experience in return? Eg Accountancy, CAD design for small organisations or maths coaching for individuals.

* What would you like a programme such as the one we are proposing to achieve for asylum seekers and refugees?

* What concerns would you have about a programme such as ours?

* Would you personally consider being involved in this project if it progresses?