Jobcentre minus: As jobless toll soars, finding a jobcentre has become more difficult than ever

[5corpio]

With youth unemployment expected to crash through the one million barrier this week – and with the outlook for adults little brighter – it is like the Eighties all over again. Except in one all-important respect. Back then the first port of call when you were unemployed was the local Jobcentre, whose distinctive orange frontage was a feature of every High Street. Thirty years later, the decor has changed – orange has given way to pale green. So has the name. Jobcentre is now Jobcentre Plus.

But the remarkable fact is that as the numbers out of work soar, Jobcentre Plus is in disarray and facing office closures. It seems to be more a case of Jobcentre minus. At least those working for the Government agency, part of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), will know how their customers feel, given that some of them may join the swelling ranks of the unemployed. To make matters worse, for many jobseekers the task of finding their local centre can be almost as difficult as finding work. Even when someone can unearth an address, they may arrive to find the office has been shut down. And those lucky enough to get to a Jobcentre Plus that has escaped the axe report that some staff know little or nothing about schemes that are intended to help the unemployed. When Financial Mail tried to find a Jobcentre Plus in or near Twickenham, southwest London, a search option on the Directgov website gave inaccurate information. The website’s suggestion would prove fruitless for anyone who took the time and expense to visit the office. It has closed. The former jobcentreplus.gov.uk website stated that ‘the most popular pages of Jobcentre Plus information’ were being moved to three websites – Directgov, DWP and Business Link.

Despite this dispersal, a spokeswoman insisted: ‘Information is all in one place.’ And jobseekers phoning the Jobcentre Plus line may not have much luck either. When Financial Mail called the number to find out if Grimsby’s Jobcentre had been closed down, a staff member said: ‘I have no idea. You have just reached a call centre in Liverpool’, before giving a ‘local’ Jobcentre Plus number that brought the same disappointing result......Read more----> HERE

[PriorityOne]

Re: Jobcentre minus: As jobless toll soars, finding a jobcentre has become more difficult than ever

I'm half expecting to see X-Factor audition stations pop up in a new Government drive to sell the dream..... by diverting attention away from real life even further.

Not that I'm a cynic or anything....

[Handyman]

Re: Jobcentre minus: As jobless toll soars, finding a jobcentre has become more difficult than ever

I'm half expecting to see X-Factor audition stations pop up in a new Government drive to sell the dream..... by diverting attention away from real life even further.

Not that I'm a cynic or anything....

No your not cynical

For the last 30 years successive governments have made a balls of youth unemployment.

Sorry but good old fashioned proper apprenticeships for real jobs for real wages are what's needed. Not NVQ's in Burger Flipping or selling double glazing in a call centre for minimum wage.

I have said it before but until those in charge realise that you have to produce something tangible to sell to the world like Steel, Coal, Ships, Mobile Phones, Computers, Televisions, FOOD. Just like the Chinese are doing then you have the cash to grow your economy. There are limits to betting on the stock exchange or selling Debt, PPI, Insurance and so on.

Give the youngsters real jobs, keep them grafting for 40 -50 hours a week like we did and you won't find so many of them hanging around street corners getting into bother.

It's not that my generation were any different, just that we were too knockered to get into bother.

Rant over,
Regards to all, Handy

[PriorityOne]

Re: Jobcentre minus: As jobless toll soars, finding a jobcentre has become more difficult than ever

No your not cynical

For the last 30 years successive governments have made a balls of youth unemployment.

Sorry but good old fashioned proper apprenticeships for real jobs for real wages are what's needed. Not NVQ's in Burger Flipping or selling double glazing in a call centre for minimum wage.

I have said it before but until those in charge realise that you have to produce something tangible to sell to the world like Steel, Coal, Ships, Mobile Phones, Computers, Televisions, FOOD. Just like the Chinese are doing then you have the cash to grow your economy. There are limits to betting on the stock exchange or selling Debt, PPI, Insurance and so on.

Give the youngsters real jobs, keep them grafting for 40 -50 hours a week like we did and you won't find so many of them hanging around street corners getting into bother.

It's not that my generation were any different, just that we were too knockered to get into bother.

Rant over,
Regards to all, Handy

They have made a complete balls up for years, I agree!

I work in a school with EBD and SEN kids and most don't have a hope in Hell of progressing anywhere; partly due to their own attitudes, those of their parents and the fact there's nothing for them to do.

Apprenticeships are coming back but only as a way of paying kids cr*p wages to stay off the stats. Unfortunately, it's still just easier to get on in life by falling pregnant (girls) or shacking up with someone pregnant (boys). One of my ex students is barely 17 and has just fathered his first. He's still with the girl and they have a lovely flat paid for via HB. Several kids later, they can get somewhere bigger; all they have to do is keep popping them out different sexes.

.... and so the next generation is produced; in similar social circumstances, with a range of "special" needs and without a work ethic in sight.

Ain't the Gov, just great!!

By the way, I am at home today due to work-based stress like you would not believe!! Trying to educate these kids has been an absolute nightmare this week....

[Handyman]

Re: Jobcentre minus: As jobless toll soars, finding a jobcentre has become more difficult than ever

By the way, I am at home today due to work-based stress like you would not believe!! Trying to educate these kids has been an absolute nightmare this week....

Oh I believe it. I used to run a Cadet Unit on a tough (well by local standards) estate. My youngsters were from all sorts of backgrounds but the one thing they had in common was the urge to do something different from the rest of their peer group.

We used to suffer a lot of vandalism and often had to arrange lifts and escorts away from the HQ building at night for the safety of the Cadets.

This estate made the National Press because 1 youth had sired 2 children before he was 16 in both cases the mothers were also under age.

I used to say there were 3 generations on that estate with No Education, No Ambition and No Hope.

It is a whole lot easier to go with the pack and conform than to strike out on your own and make something of yourself. Any of the Local Kids who joined us rather than hang around on the street corners drinking cider and smoking weed got picked on even more than the ones who had to cross the estate to get home.

In the 80's I got the job of training all the YOP's employed by the company I worked for. We had one Lad who was a real Grafter. I had to help him to read and write. We used to have him working overtime for which I paid him Cash in Hand from the petty cash.

Eventually the MD realised it would be cheaper to put him on the books. When he was told this he seemed reluctant. 20 minutes later his Father marched into my office, (The Lad was 17). He can't work for you he said, If he goes on the books we will lose too much in benefits.

I really don't know what the answers are any more. I have 3 Stepsons that are a waste of Oxygen. 1 is a Smack Head, 1 is a Speed Freak and an Ex Con and the Last is a Stoner.

Now even if there were jobs available to force them into by cutting their benefits as an employer I would not touch them with a bargepole. One would never Turn up, One would have his fingers in the till and mates waiting with a van at the back door of the warehouse, and the last would be so comatose you would wonder if he was a waxwork.

I don't think there was ever really a Golden Age, but there was a time when public opinion was that you worked to pay your way and if you were a parent from how ever a lowly position in society you encourages your children to become educated and to better themselves.

I'm afraid that this country has lost it's way by poor leadership from our politicians, declining moral standards which have been slowly fed to us by the media (Papers and Television). Everything has been dumbed down. Just look at the Daily Sport and Star which purport to be Newspapers.

I worry for the Future of my Grand kids (step). If your looking the the parents to show them a Work Ethic, then I have seen more work in a sick note.

I wish I knew how to give Society a kick up the A, for it's own good.

If our politico's grew a backbone and told the truth that would be a starting point.

Regards all, Handy

[PriorityOne]

Re: Jobcentre minus: As jobless toll soars, finding a jobcentre has become more difficult than ever

Where I work, we are trying to bring in an alternative curriculum so that there are more task-based activities offsite..... to try and get kids interested in doing something and also, to alleviate the stress on us!

On Monday, I had one stupid member of staff send 9 EBD (behaviour) kids to me for "isolation", with no work and with no support staff.... WTF? Kids saw it as a jolly. By the end of the hour, I was climbing the walls and absolutely fuming!! I wiped the floor with two members of staff that afternoon for farming their kids onto me and then raised a complaint.

On Tuesday, I was on duty by myself in set places during break and lunch, so didn't stop properly all day for anything really. I was also told to f*ck off by a student after telling him to stop banging on the window of another class. (It backfired on him badly.... but that's not the point). By the afternoon, one of my own students had consumed a bucketload of energy drinks and was pinging off the ceiling, so I got them all out and locked the door to save the room from being trashed. I managed to isolate her but another girl sprawled herself across the floor, so her Dad had to be called to pick her up.

By Wednesday, I thought is couldn't get any worse.... 15 minutes into the day, I was called a f*ckin' c*nt by the girl I isolated on Tuesday..... and during one of my lessons, another student decided to give me the silent treatment and refused to work or step outside..... so I tipped her chair up. She then started ranting that I'd thrown her off the chair and she would have me "done".

"Do your best" I thought....

Jeez!! Why does the Gov. continue to throw thousands of pounds at these kids?! .... and I do mean thousands.... and that's not including the taxis that ferry them to and from school (from no great distance in some cases) because they can't be *rsed to get their precious acts together and walk.

I'm not going back 'til Monday..... the stress of this completely zonked me out today. I've not even bothered to get dressed and slept on the sofa this afternoon for 3 hours.

All the pc brigade have done over the past 20 odd years is wrap kids in cotton wool and encourage mass reproduction of lazy monsters by parents with zero social skills....

[Handyman]

Re: Jobcentre minus: As jobless toll soars, finding a jobcentre has become more difficult than ever

I'm reaching for the Valium just reading your post. Kid Sis works as a Teaching Support Assistant with special needs kids.

Before she got her present job she worked in an inner city school with kids such as yours, I have seen what it did to her as often she was left in charge on her own (technically this isn't allowed).

I find it amazing how there is always an excuse these days.

I am of an age where I missed the 11 plus by one year. My Senior School changed from a Grammar School to Comprehensive the day I started.

There was still the cane and punishments that meant something.
It was alright for a Teacher to say a Kid was Thick or just Plain Bad.

Now there are thousands of genuine cases I know, but how easy is it to label a lazy reader as Dyslexic or a Disruptive Child as ADHD. Isn't it just so easy to label them with an excuse than to say the system hasn't got the balls to support and motivate the Teachers.

How can the system expect to educate and motivate these youngsters when you have Parents that will put in a law suit at the drop of a hat, A system that suspends it's employee's at the hint of an allegation even when it knows it to be untrue and then takes months to clear the individual concerned.

Caning was still in at my old School, I got 6 of the best just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. (one of many).

Our Maths Teacher (Billy Buck, who still wore a Cap and Gown in Class) could get you right between the eyes from 10 meters with a wooden blackboard rubber.

Then the reformers brought in College style learning. Sit in a corner with a book and teach yourself, then we will have a university style lecture.

Sorry but most (not all)teenagers have not developed the art of being a self starter, and those that have get picked on for being a swot.

Just where the hell has all the common sense gone in this country.

Regards, Handy

[PriorityOne]

Re: Jobcentre minus: As jobless toll soars, finding a jobcentre has become more difficult than ever

I'm reaching for the Valium just reading your post. Kid Sis works as a Teaching Support Assistant with special needs kids.

Before she got her present job she worked in an inner city school with kids such as yours, I have seen what it did to her as often she was left in charge on her own (technically this isn't allowed). It's not allowed, no..... but happens all the time.

I find it amazing how there is always an excuse these days.

I am of an age where I missed the 11 plus by one year. My Senior School changed from a Grammar School to Comprehensive the day I started.

There was still the cane and punishments that meant something.
It was alright for a Teacher to say a Kid was Thick or just Plain Bad.

Now there are thousands of genuine cases I know, but how easy is it to label a lazy reader as Dyslexic or a Disruptive Child as ADHD. Isn't it just so easy to label them with an excuse than to say the system hasn't got the balls to support and motivate the Teachers. Absolutely.... but isn't it interesting that the vast majority of kids "diagnosed" with ADHD are from lower social classes and also, that it's also often a passport to disability benefits for parents (DLA & CA) and freebies and holidays for the kids. No wonder it's everywhere.... yet the Gov. don't seem to have latched on to that one yet.

How can the system expect to educate and motivate these youngsters when you have Parents that will put in a law suit at the drop of a hat, Many parents don't even answer their phones. I have two students with parents like that and another who cut me off last week. A system that suspends it's employee's at the hint of an allegation even when it knows it to be untrue and then takes months to clear the individual concerned.

Caning was still in at my old School, I got 6 of the best just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. (one of many). Something needs to be restored in our schools.... and fast!

Our Maths Teacher (Billy Buck, who still wore a Cap and Gown in Class) could get you right between the eyes from 10 meters with a wooden blackboard rubber. Lol!...

Then the reformers brought in College style learning. Sit in a corner with a book and teach yourself, then we will have a university style lecture. It's gone downhill ever since. Some kids leave secondary education with a reading age of 5.... sad.

Sorry but most (not all)teenagers have not developed the art of being a self starter, and those that have get picked on for being a swot.

Just where the hell has all the common sense gone in this country.

Regards, Handy

There is no common sense and (partly) as a result, the underclass has become the fastest growing social group in recent years.

Worrying and sad in equal measures, I think.

[Handyman]

Re: Jobcentre minus: As jobless toll soars, finding a jobcentre has become more difficult than ever

Couldn't agree more.

Quote by Priority One.
Absolutely.... but isn't it interesting that the vast majority of kids "diagnosed" with ADHD are from lower social classes and also, that it's also often a passport to disability benefits for parents (DLA & CA) and freebies and holidays for the kids. No wonder it's everywhere.... yet the Gov. don't seem to have latched on to that one yet.

Prime example is DD and Grandson. I have posted enough rants about Wannabee Gangsta SIL and their spending (and Growing Habits).

Up to age 1 Grandson was a developing normally and was very bright. Age 2+ it was apparent he wasn't going to start speaking.

Mrs H and myself questioned if something had happened to his hearing? Last year he was diagnosed as high end Autistic. Then recently it was discovered he has a hearing problem. Not surprising as his Mother is always poking his ears and nose with cotton buds.

Now he has hearing aids fitted he is starting to develop normally again.

Back in August they were in severe financial difficulties. Now they are on a DMP. They are getting all kinds of cash benefits for GS because he has been labelled. DD told me that a woman at the benefits office said if it turns out at some point he isn't Autistic that's OK as there is little chance of him being reassessed for years.

Mrs H said it's as though she want's him to be Autistic. Not surprising as a least 3 of her friends have kids that are labelled the same.

If they are naughty when they are out it is just so much easier to tell any upset member of the public that you child has problems then soak up the sympathy, rather than be honest and say you are a bad out of control Parent.

Now if anyone thinks I am being unreasonable, Fine. I am refering to my own experience.

It is the Folk who have kids with genuine problems that have my sympathy and Support.

Regards, Handy

[PriorityOne]

Re: Jobcentre minus: As jobless toll soars, finding a jobcentre has become more difficult than ever

I know where you're coming from Handyman and see this all the time at work.

Autistic Spectrum disorders are very genuine but ADHD is not (IMO) and is sometimes used as a stop-gap diagnosis, if you like..... if/when there's not enough evidence for an AS diagnosis. This can be very dangerous...

Last year, one particualr student came bouncing into my room and said he couldn't hep it 'coz he had ADHD. My response was "Well, I don't believe in ADHD so you need to pack it in" ADHD is a social disorder; not a medical condition... yet kids are prescribed amphetamine-based drugs (Ritalin) so that adults can cope better with their behaviour. IMO, this is both unethical and could even be classed as a form of abuse.

If discipline hadn't gone out of fashion, we wouldn't have ADHD. It was added as a condition by a show of hands in the US around about the same time, if memory serves me right. This particular student learned very quickly not to prat around in my lessons, yet played other staff up something chronic..... which says it all.

Labels are a passport to all kinds of help (Benefits).... but in reality, this "help" perpetuates a much bigger social problem in terms of Benefits and ethics.

I absolutely cringe when I see kids line up to take their Ritalin at lunchtime.... and then go off to gulp down cans of energy drinks. Such irony.... yet there's nothing I can do about it.

[Handyman]

Re: Jobcentre minus: As jobless toll soars, finding a jobcentre has become more difficult than ever

It seems in some ways we have rather Hijacked this thread. But long term it is employment related.

It is sometimes rather comforting to know you are not alone in your views. Something I find on All About on a regular basis.

I go off on a rant and then I find that there are many others who agree with me. (wish I got the same support from the missus )

I hope that you find this helps your work related stress.

Not everyone is against the Teachers. I wish there were more like you.

I found that when I was working with 13 to 18 year olds you could by leadership and example give them a better outlook on life. One also had to be careful that you were giving them the right sort of example as at that age they are easily influenced.

I had a few members of staff that were giving out the wrong messages, I sorted them out fast enough

I hope you recover your Mojo quickly.

Best regards, Handy

[stevieb]

Re: Jobcentre minus: As jobless toll soars, finding a jobcentre has become more difficult than ever

With the risk of sounding ignorant and arrogant.

This culture has become a blame culture.
It's easier to blame the government for what is going on, but, the lack of respect, discipline and teachings in youngsters I believe lays firmly at the doors of the parents.
Bringing up children is never an easy task, but letting them backchat, have what they want etc we are just paving the foundations for more problems as they grow older.

Yes the government has put in some complete arse of regulations but if the foundations are not set and kept at home then there is nothing to build on anyway.

Jobs .. There are plenty of jobs out there, but youngsters have become accustomed to not having to work to obtain the nice things. Pocket money given freely, parents cleaning up after them. Hell I had my first job at a young age , and was proud to be earning my own money.
Yes it would have been easier to blag/steal it all but there is nothing like owning something that you have worked hard to save for.
This is where society is going wrong.

I have had arguments with the locals generally leading with *all you english coming here taking our jobs ...* until I point out that I can get them work, but it means
A) getting up early
B) getting dirty
C) working long hours

and they just do not want to do it.!

As for DWP what a waste of space, I know folks getting 400 + a week from the DWP with nothing wrong with them, My lodger is getting more than I do with less outgoings. The system on that front is all to cock.

[Handyman]

Re: Jobcentre minus: As jobless toll soars, finding a jobcentre has become more difficult than ever

Jobs .. There are plenty of jobs out there, but youngsters have become accustomed to not having to work to obtain the nice things.

Yes it would have been easier to blag/steal it all but there is nothing like owning something that you have worked hard to save for.
This is where society is going wrong.

I have had arguments with the locals generally leading with *all you english coming here taking our jobs ...* until I point out that I can get them work, but it means
A) getting up early
B) getting dirty
C) working long hours

and they just do not want to do it.!

I have heard it said so many times and by one of my own. I would have to get a job at £300 p/wk as I would lose all my benefits.

Besides I'm an Ex Con and get DLA who would employ me.

I have to say with an attitude like that he would be the last one in the world I would give a job to. Then I think to himself why the hell should he get a free ride in life while the rest of us graft and do whatever it takes to get by.

It's about time we all toughened up in our attitude to society.

Your right Stevie we can blame the government, but if we really want things to change we have to make a start ourselves.

Regards, Handy.

[garlok]

Re: Jobcentre minus: As jobless toll soars, finding a jobcentre has become more difficult than ever

Yes by opening up things like coal mines, steel works and before the "greens" get on their high horses, the most efficient recycling plant in the world which straddled the M6 motorway at junction 10 was closed down and is now knocked down leaving a derelict bomb site. Most copper pipe work in the land came from copper refined there, most of your hot water cylinders came from copper refined there. ALL FROM SCRAP (up to 54000tonnes per annum). City slickers closed it down and moved it to a country (USA) which has even higher labour costs than here. Nothing was wasted there even climbers went up the inside of chimneys once a year to scrape zinc oxide from the walls to be used in medical dressings manufacture, slag from blast furnaces was used to blast marine growth from merchant ships without damage to the steel structres et al.

How many so called "graduates" with degrees in drama and drug taking would work for good money doing a very productive job in that sort of environment. Continuous process working 12 hour shifts 24//7 365 days. I'll tell you NONE!

Never mind giving 40 billiion to the IMF, invest it here in our industry to serve our own people, force the skills base up again before it is lost for ever. Our brains haven't changed, our enterprising psyche has been "educated" out of us! Sorry for the rant.

Oh and by the way stevie, I assume you are in Wales. We did not expand our business here in NW because of the ingrained genetic attitude that locals have "the world owes me a living because you English are opressors and ruined my great grandfather's life" Bollocks, most of the North Walians that went to the big conurbations to find work, couldn't stick the hard work and returned to be moaners and scroungers. Grrrrrrrrrr.

They would rather spend money on speaking Welsh than putting food and mathematics into childrens bellies.

regards
Garlok

[PriorityOne]

Re: Jobcentre minus: As jobless toll soars, finding a jobcentre has become more difficult than ever

With the risk of sounding ignorant and arrogant.

This culture has become a blame culture.
It's easier to blame the government for what is going on, but, the lack of respect, discipline and teachings in youngsters I believe lays firmly at the doors of the parents.

I totally agree with you BUT it was government policies that taught those parents how to live off the system without paying anything in... which in turn, contributed to the rise of the underclass and the production of more and more feral children with social "disabilities"..... in a bid to get bigger homes, more Benefits, etc, etc.......