THE WORK PROGRAMME - HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL DATA

By ECAP 17, submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 07/07/2011 - 20:47
THE WORK PROGRAMME  - PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL DATA
 

Just because the Con-Dem government forced you onto The Work Programme, they cannot legally force you to give your personal information to providers like A4e.
 
In 2010 an A4e laptop containing the personal details of 24,000 Community Legal Advice Centre clients in Hull and Leicester was stolen in a burglary.  The personal details included names, addresses, and information about alleged criminal activity and whether the client had been a victim of violence.
 
During Work Programme induction, A4e will give you a Information Disclosure form to fill-in. This form should clearly state that your consent to giving them your personal information is voluntary - and you may withdraw that consent at any time.  And, more importantly, refusal to fill in the form will NOT affect any benefits you are receiving.
 
Both A4e and Ingeus refused an ECAP request to see a blank Information Disclosure form.  What have they got to hide?
 
A4e doesn’t want you to know your rights. The A4e Information Disclosure form may only contain the phrase “Informed Consent”.  This means they assume you already understand the risks of giving them your personal data. 24,000 A4e clients thought they did. Do you? 
 
 
To see what a provider's Information Dislosure form should look like view DWP Provider Guidance - Chapter 5 Annex 1:

Comments

1

Re: THE WORK PROGRAMME - HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL DATA

By Concerned jobseeker

 

Anonymous wrote:

 

Anonymous wrote:

 i called working links before i went for induction and asked them to confirm by letter that i will not have my benefits affected if dont sign data protection form had to call them 3/4 times but eventually got it so will take it to induction with me and if they say will affect benefits will show them it ;;;

Anonymous wrote:

 

Anonymous wrote:Im going for a 'work progamme' interview at the jobcentre this week. I asked them what the 'work programme' is but they said 'that will be discussed at the interview'. I can't find any clear info on it so i dont know what the f*** to expect. Are they going to send me to one of these private companies again (I've already been on the Ingeus programme - total waste of time!) Does this article mean that i don't have to tell Ingeus or anyone my personal details. If i do that, wont the jobcentre stop my benefits? I don't get it :/

Sounds like it, Anon.  If the Jobcentre letter says your being referred to Working Links, that means A4e.  But they could send you to Ingeus again.

There is no legislation forcing you to divulge your personal information to these providers.  I suggest you print out the document (DWP Provider Guidance - Chapter 5 Annex 1), as in the link in previous post..  And take it with you to the Work Programme interview and show it to the provider.

Yes, there is a risk the provider may try to get the jobcentre to sanction you.  But how can they sanction you for following the jobcentres own advice.  In the event they do try a sanction, contact your MP.    

And for what it's worth I will be doing the same myself when I'm re-referred to the Work Programme. 

Good luck.

 

.

25/09/2011 - 15:32
2

Re: THE WORK PROGRAMME - HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL DATA

By Anonymous

Im going for a 'work progamme' interview at the jobcentre this week. I asked them what the 'work programme' is but they said 'that will be discussed at the interview'. I can't find any clear info on it so i dont know what the f*** to expect. Are they going to send me to one of these private companies again (I've already been on the Ingeus programme - total waste of time!) Does this article mean that i don't have to tell Ingeus or anyone my personal details. If i do that, wont the jobcentre stop my benefits? I don't get it :/
11/07/2011 - 08:26
3

Re: THE WORK PROGRAMME - HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL DATA

By Anonymous

 

Anonymous wrote:Im going for a 'work progamme' interview at the jobcentre this week. I asked them what the 'work programme' is but they said 'that will be discussed at the interview'. I can't find any clear info on it so i dont know what the f*** to expect. Are they going to send me to one of these private companies again (I've already been on the Ingeus programme - total waste of time!) Does this article mean that i don't have to tell Ingeus or anyone my personal details. If i do that, wont the jobcentre stop my benefits? I don't get it :/

Sounds like it, Anon.  If the Jobcentre letter says your being referred to Working Links, that means A4e.  But they could send you to Ingeus again.

There is no legislation forcing you to divulge your personal information to these providers.  I suggest you print out the document (DWP Provider Guidance - Chapter 5 Annex 1), as in the link in previous post..  And take it with you to the Work Programme interview and show it to the provider.

Yes, there is a risk the provider may try to get the jobcentre to sanction you.  But how can they sanction you for following the jobcentres own advice.  In the event they do try a sanction, contact your MP.    

And for what it's worth I will be doing the same myself when I'm re-referred to the Work Programme. 

Good luck.

 

.

11/07/2011 - 20:02
4

Re: THE WORK PROGRAMME - HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL DATA

By Anonymous

Anonymous wrote:

 

Anonymous wrote:Im going for a 'work progamme' interview at the jobcentre this week. I asked them what the 'work programme' is but they said 'that will be discussed at the interview'. I can't find any clear info on it so i dont know what the f*** to expect. Are they going to send me to one of these private companies again (I've already been on the Ingeus programme - total waste of time!) Does this article mean that i don't have to tell Ingeus or anyone my personal details. If i do that, wont the jobcentre stop my benefits? I don't get it :/

Sounds like it, Anon.  If the Jobcentre letter says your being referred to Working Links, that means A4e.  But they could send you to Ingeus again.

There is no legislation forcing you to divulge your personal information to these providers.  I suggest you print out the document (DWP Provider Guidance - Chapter 5 Annex 1), as in the link in previous post..  And take it with you to the Work Programme interview and show it to the provider.

Yes, there is a risk the provider may try to get the jobcentre to sanction you.  But how can they sanction you for following the jobcentres own advice.  In the event they do try a sanction, contact your MP.    

And for what it's worth I will be doing the same myself when I'm re-referred to the Work Programme. 

Good luck.

 

.

I can't do that mate, i'd starve while i was waiting for some MP to get off his arse & do something! Another dose of Ingeus will be patronising, tedious and futile, but if thats what it takes to keep the roof over my head, i dont see as i got much choice :/ Don't think im not grateful for the advice though; i am. Thanks.
12/07/2011 - 14:21
5

Re: THE WORK PROGRAMME - HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL DATA

By Anonymous

 i called working links before i went for induction and asked them to confirm by letter that i will not have my benefits affected if dont sign data protection form had to call them 3/4 times but eventually got it so will take it to induction with me and if they say will affect benefits will show them it ;;;

Anonymous wrote:

 

Anonymous wrote:Im going for a 'work progamme' interview at the jobcentre this week. I asked them what the 'work programme' is but they said 'that will be discussed at the interview'. I can't find any clear info on it so i dont know what the f*** to expect. Are they going to send me to one of these private companies again (I've already been on the Ingeus programme - total waste of time!) Does this article mean that i don't have to tell Ingeus or anyone my personal details. If i do that, wont the jobcentre stop my benefits? I don't get it :/

Sounds like it, Anon.  If the Jobcentre letter says your being referred to Working Links, that means A4e.  But they could send you to Ingeus again.

There is no legislation forcing you to divulge your personal information to these providers.  I suggest you print out the document (DWP Provider Guidance - Chapter 5 Annex 1), as in the link in previous post..  And take it with you to the Work Programme interview and show it to the provider.

Yes, there is a risk the provider may try to get the jobcentre to sanction you.  But how can they sanction you for following the jobcentres own advice.  In the event they do try a sanction, contact your MP.    

And for what it's worth I will be doing the same myself when I'm re-referred to the Work Programme. 

Good luck.

 

.

24/09/2011 - 02:10
6

Re: THE WORK PROGRAMME - HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL DATA

By Concerned jobseeker

 

Anonymous wrote:

 i called working links before i went for induction and asked them to confirm by letter that i will not have my benefits affected if dont sign data protection form had to call them 3/4 times but eventually got it so will take it to induction with me and if they say will affect benefits will show them it ;;;

Anonymous wrote:

 

Anonymous wrote:Im going for a 'work progamme' interview at the jobcentre this week. I asked them what the 'work programme' is but they said 'that will be discussed at the interview'. I can't find any clear info on it so i dont know what the f*** to expect. Are they going to send me to one of these private companies again (I've already been on the Ingeus programme - total waste of time!) Does this article mean that i don't have to tell Ingeus or anyone my personal details. If i do that, wont the jobcentre stop my benefits? I don't get it :/

Sounds like it, Anon.  If the Jobcentre letter says your being referred to Working Links, that means A4e.  But they could send you to Ingeus again.

There is no legislation forcing you to divulge your personal information to these providers.  I suggest you print out the document (DWP Provider Guidance - Chapter 5 Annex 1), as in the link in previous post..  And take it with you to the Work Programme interview and show it to the provider.

Yes, there is a risk the provider may try to get the jobcentre to sanction you.  But how can they sanction you for following the jobcentres own advice.  In the event they do try a sanction, contact your MP.    

And for what it's worth I will be doing the same myself when I'm re-referred to the Work Programme. 

Good luck.

 

.

25/09/2011 - 15:31
7

Re: THE WORK PROGRAMME - HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL DATA

By Concerned jobseeker

Hi I have been on the WP for a couple of weeks and did not know it was volumtary to sign the data consent forms.But I just want to know that if I can withdraw my consent at any time do I just have to notify my provider adviser or do I have to send the provider head office a withdrawal letter or both?

25/09/2011 - 15:37
8

Re: THE WORK PROGRAMME - HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL DATA

By Anonymous

 

Anonymous wrote:

 

Anonymous wrote:

 

Anonymous wrote:Im going for a 'work progamme' interview at the jobcentre this week. I asked them what the 'work programme' is but they said 'that will be discussed at the interview'. I can't find any clear info on it so i dont know what the f*** to expect. Are they going to send me to one of these private companies again (I've already been on the Ingeus programme - total waste of time!) Does this article mean that i don't have to tell Ingeus or anyone my personal details. If i do that, wont the jobcentre stop my benefits? I don't get it :/

Sounds like it, Anon.  If the Jobcentre letter says your being referred to Working Links, that means A4e.  But they could send you to Ingeus again.

There is no legislation forcing you to divulge your personal information to these providers.  I suggest you print out the document (DWP Provider Guidance - Chapter 5 Annex 1), as in the link in previous post..  And take it with you to the Work Programme interview and show it to the provider.

Yes, there is a risk the provider may try to get the jobcentre to sanction you.  But how can they sanction you for following the jobcentres own advice.  In the event they do try a sanction, contact your MP.    

And for what it's worth I will be doing the same myself when I'm re-referred to the Work Programme. 

Good luck.

 

.

 

I can't do that mate, i'd starve while i was waiting for some MP to get off his arse & do something! Another dose of Ingeus will be patronising, tedious and futile, but if thats what it takes to keep the roof over my head, i dont see as i got much choice :/ Don't think im not grateful for the advice though; i am. Thanks.
20/10/2011 - 00:42
9

Re: THE WORK PROGRAMME - HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL DATA

By John Doe

Thanks for the info.

08/12/2011 - 13:00

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