Well done JCP Epsom! Great idea to invite local organisations* to a Partner Forum (on 4 March).
The purpose was to give everyone a chance to hear how universal credit is really going from the people responsible.
They got it right. The ‘host’ JCP team included management and all the Epsom work coaches.
Work coaches meet their individual customers week by week. Their job is to encourage customers into more self-reliance and, ideally, stable work. If this proves difficult for any reason, the aim is an arrangement that’s fair to the customer and the taxpayer.
After a long and difficult introduction, universal credit is still causing problems for individuals and families. At Citizens Advice we continue to ask the Department for Work and Pensions to make changes, so it’s good news that JCP is meeting and listening to us and other grass root groups.
John Dougill, a volunteer at Citizens Advice Banstead, said:
“At Citizens Advice we know how our clients see the system and how it’s meant to work. I felt it was helpful to get a broader view of the problems and progress.
“The problems we heard about are the ones we’re frequently trying to help with. Examples are when someone’s income varies significantly from month to month or they have poor IT skills.
“Their approach is increasingly tailored to the individual rather than menu-driven. This is a welcome development. It’s similar to how we work at Citizens Advice but it does depend on the collaboration of the customer.”
All the organisations agreed the event was relevant and useful.
Like us, they provide advice in the Epsom JCP operational area or complement it with training and other forms of support.
Find out more
Job Centre Plus and Universal Credit, Meeting with JCP Epsom Job Coach Jamie Wright, 24/02/20
UC Help to Claim: Partnership Success, Every client is an individual, 13/02/20
* Among the community groups represented were: Epsom Council, Clarion and Mount Green Housing Associations, National Careers Service, Epsom Food Bank, Stoneleigh Job Club, Maximus UK.