Upcoming Posts…

Just a very, very quick update. I’m currently brainstorming a few different ideas for posts, as well as collecting links for a new page (I want a seperate page full of links, as well as information, so as not to have to cram them into the side), so hopefully, over the remainder of the week, the following posts should start popping up:

 

1. A4e – Second Interview, Online Assessment results, and seemingly hitting a brickwall.
2. A4e – Full Induction overview, and information (I’m due to attend my half-day induction, on Friday November 6th)
3. FND and Ex-Offenders – Should Ex-Offenders be sent to “regular” FND Providers, and, perhaps more importantly – should other Clients be informed?

Article #1 might be online before the end of the day, and I’ve started a draft of #3, but #2 – The A4e induction, will have to wait until I’ve actually completed the induction 😉

The Aim of this blog… [Pinned]

Having looked at the visitor stats over the last few days, the number of visitors has shot through the roof recently – I’m getting 10x more visitors than a few weeks ago, and so obviously I’d like to take a moment to thank everyone who has dropped by, left comments / suggestions, and to other blog  / website owners who have been kind enough to link back here – it’s really, really appreciated.

I’ve also noticed a lot of people are coming across the blog, due to searching for questions relating to the Flexible New Deal Programme itself. Because of this, I think it’s only appropriate that I put a bit of a disclaimer at the top of the blog – Basically, the posts contained within this blog relate to my experience on FND, with A4e. The experiences, arrangements, etc, may not be the same with other providers – in fact, they may even differ between individual “branches” of A4e, around the country.

I also wanted to quickly address some of the search phrases that have been used to find the site – such as “How to get out of Flexible New Deal“, as well as the various criticisms people may have, about A4e…

Flexible New Deal – The day has arrived.

In just under 2.5 hours I’ll be sitting in the Jobcentre, waiting for my “introduction” to the Flexible New Deal. I used the speech marks because although the “Flexible” New Deal is being marketed as something new and exciting, I can’t help but think that when it all boils down, it’ll probably be similar to the “original” New Deal (from a DWP pov – not THE original New Deal 😉 )

Anyway, that’s all for the moment. I’m going to go and use my rowing machine, to help me wake up properly, then I’m off to the Jobcentre. I’ll post my impressions later on this evening.

The letter I didn’t want to receive…

Amongst the post this morning, came a letter I’ve been fearing would eventually arrive – a letter from the Jobcentre informing me that I’m “eligible” for the Flexible New Deal. As a result, I’ve decided to create this blog, which will detail my experiences with the so-called “Flexible” New Deal.

Over the coming days, I’ll add more information into the blog, such as my previous experiences with the “old” New Deal, and some detailed background information.

My “interview” is scheduled for October 5th @9:30am.