Published on 12, July, 2020
I wondered if anyone has had experience of Jobcentre Plus Disability Employment Advisers.
I've seen a text by the Minister of State for Disabled People extolling the virtues of these advisers, and given what I've heard myself indirectly, wondered if the reality was as optimistic as he claims.
According to the Minister of State these Disability Employment Advisers can provide support and advice for disabled people who need help finding and retaining employment.
Disability Employment Advisersat Jobcentre Plus can refer individuals to specialist programmes, including Work Choice, and can use the professional expertise of Work Psychologists, who specialise in working with disabled people.
Jobcentre Plus's Disability Employment Advisers can advocate with employers on the individual's behalf and help employers to explore job solutions such as the restructuring of job's tasks/environment, or the provision/change of equipment.
Work Choice provides tailored support to help disabled people who face the most complex barriers to employment, where it is appropriate for the individual.
Laudable as these Disability Employment Advisers seem to be, has anyone actually met one? Are they helpful? Or do they still know very little especially about autism?
I signed on officially on 5th of November this year. I said in my initial interview that I would like to speak to the disability advisor, the person assessing me at the time was quite rude, saying I didn't look like I needed one (Apparently a disability has to be physically obvious!) But after I insisted he said he would 'queue' them in their system.
The following friday (8th) when I came in to sign on, I asked what was happening with respect to the DEA and he told me that they only worked three days a week. (Which did not explain anything)
The next Tuesday (12th) I came in to see my advisor, I told her that I was struggling with applications, interviews etc. I also informed her I had had issues using their website which had several vague and ambiguous parts to it. I asked her when I would be seeing the DEA as I felt they would be able to help me further. She told me, once again, that the DEA onlly works 3 days a week.
I have been in once more since then (Fridaay 22) and was once again told "Three days" I do not have an appointment now untill the 6th of December. I feel like I will not be seen to by the disability advisor at all, and that they are simply ignoring my requests.