sector-based work academy (SWBA)

SBWA does not have to include a job interview. The Decision Makers' Guide has been updated to include help with employer applications

The sector-based work academy
34852 The sbwa is a scheme which provides for
1. a period of up to 6 weeks training to enable a claimant to gain the skills
needed in the work place and
2. a work experience placement for a period to be agreed with the claimant and
3. either a job interview with an employer or support to help participants through
an employer’s application process 1
.
Note 1: The academies are designed to support JSA claimants aged 18 years or
over who are relatively job ready. The training and work experience is tailored to
employers’ needs to help fill vacancies more efficiently whilst supporting participants
into sustained employment.
Note 2: Participation in the sbwa is voluntary, but once a claimant has agreed to
participate in the scheme, they are then mandated to attend the training element
and guaranteed job interview. The work experience element of sbwa is not
mandatory. The only reason a claimant could be sanctioned for a failure to take part
in the work experience element of the scheme is if the claimant lost the place due to
gross misconduct (see further guidance at DMG 34921). If the sbwa provider offers
employment following the guaranteed job interview but the claimant refuses, the DM
should consider whether the claimant was correctly notified of the vacancy by an
Emp O (see DMG 34723).
Note 3: If a claimant fails or refuses to take an apprenticeship which was offered to
them at the end of the sbwa scheme. DMs should check whether the apprenticeship
vacancy falls into the criteria at DMG 34708 and apply the relevant guidance
1 JSA (SAPOE) Regs, reg 3(6)

www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/upl...e/537727/dmgch34.pdf

Workwise Programme
1. Centrepoint is the leading national charity working with homeless young people aged 16 to 25. Established 40 years ago, we provide accommodation and support to help homeless young people get their lives back on track. Centrepoint’s Workwise programme supports young people to develop the skills and experience they need to find work. After completing training on a range of employment-related challenges including CV building, work-based scenarios and interview practice, young people complete a work placement with one of our corporate partners. The programme is officially recognised by Jobcentre Plus (as a sector based work academy) and is an accredited BTEC Level 2 in Employability Skills. 87% of the young people who completed the course in 2012–13 secured an EET (Education or Employment) outcome, and 57% of these went into employment.

www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm2013...rpen/479/479we05.htm.

You cannot be issued with a Jobseeker Direction to attend Workwise or any other course that mirrors the SBWA scheme.

An old example of a SWBA notice before Cait Reilly's Judicial Review:

www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/100266/re...%2016%2030%20hrs.pdf.

SWBA only becomes mandatory if you agree to it. Only the training and the job interview are mandatory.

There are no named schemes in the Universal Credit Regulations. However, the work experience remains voluntary unless the individual agrees to it.

You cannot be mandated to any full time, employment related course (16 hours +) for more than 2 weeks, see above.

I noticed that Centrepoint removed the WW link from their website shortly after UMM's started discussing this topic!

centrepoint.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/learning.

How many people have been sanctioned unlawfully?

If DWP claim it is not a SBWA, it is unlawful to mandate people to full-time work related courses via a JSD for more than 2 weeks. Hence, the reason people can only be mandated to the initial interview/group session for full time training. JSA claimants can only be treated as available for 2 weeks in a benefit year for employment related courses.

Box E

www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/114636/re...8.ES673JP%200612.pdf

IMPORTANT
34905 The issue of a JSD must be tailored to each individual claimant’s requirements and must not be used as a means of filling places in a particular opportunity in any circumstances.

workwise / SWBA

https://respectfulbenefits.forumotion.com/t48-workwise-swba#145

a good reason letter

https://respectfulbenefits.forumotion.com/t125-good-reason-letter#418

Work experience is definitely voluntary. If there is no threat of a sanction contained in the letter you do not have to attend. However, DWP has been very sly with group info letters (another topic) as well as attempting to make voluntary activities mandatory via a 'work related requirement' within the UC claimant commitment! :angry:

SWBA only becomes mandatory if you agree to it, but not the work experience element.


Work experience
34951 Work experience is not defined in legislation since October 2012. For any work experience opportunity a sanction may only be imposed where the claimant loses a place or is dismissed from the work experience due to gross misconduct (see DMG 34961 for guidance on Gross misconduct). Participation in work experience is voluntary.

www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/upl...e/509890/dmgch34.pdf

Just to mention that many answers can be found using the search facility on BA or in the Jobseeker help section.

I was looking at the Check the what triggers a move to universal credit page of "entitled to" website.it says If on JSA, if you become sick you will be moved to universal credit.
I thought people could get fit note for 13 weeks on JSA. It's so difficult to know what the rules are.

In theory a person on JSA who has a fit note can have an Extended Period of Sickness for no longer than 12 weeks. When you read the WC guidance on them you probably don't get 12 jobcentre free weeks as the WC gets the final say on what reasonable adjustments are appropriate. Contact with the jobcentre is acceptable even though you have a fit note. The fact JSA migration to UC is planned for next September means if you submit a fit note now you risk having your JSA claim closed nearly a year early. It's quite the dilemma if you think you'd be better off with a period off sick.