Seeking Work in
Plymouth, West Devon
& East Cornwall
A guide to where to find help and
advice if you are facing redundancy
or unemployment.
September 2012
Seeking Work in Plymouth, West Devon & East Cornwall
Here to help
This information pack tries to answer your main
questions but it may not cover every issue. As far as
possible the contents were correct when going to
press. Changes do occur, however, and it is always
wise to check the latest details with the specialist
agencies.
Local help
Most of the help given here is free of charge if you
are unemployed or under notice of redundancy. It’s
good to check the internet for the latest information.
You can do this if you have an internet connection
on your home computer. Alternatively, go into your
local library, college or learning centre for help.
This information is available electronically at
http://www.devon.gov.uk/help_with_redundancy
or at
http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=1
9622
Contents
Title
Redundancy
Seeking Work/Getting a Job
Careers Advice, Training & Volunteering
If you are Considering Self Employment
Money Matters
Other Sources of Help/Information
Information for health & wellbeing
Recruitment Agencies
Construction Agencies in the SW
Page
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17
Free Internet Access
Access to computers including high speed internet is
available in libraries throughout Plymouth and
Devon. Computers are free to use for library
members, there is a small charge for visitors.
In Cornwall, free access to computers including
internet is available in libraries throughout the
county. A booking service is available in most
libraries to ensure that everyone has an opportunity
to use the facilities.
To check if your library in Cornwall has internet
connection, call 01872 322005.
Directgov
Directgov is a really useful UK government website
that gives access to a huge range of information and
advice.
Topics include:-
Employment
Money, tax and benefits
Education and learning where you can learn
more about improving your “Skills for Life”
Health and well-being
A “Benefits Adviser” section where you can check
which benefits you may be able to get on the
online Benefits Calculator and obtain an estimate
of how much benefit you may receive.
Access at www.direct.gov.uk or click on the links
above to go to the section you want.
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Seeking Work in Plymouth, West Devon & East Cornwall
Redundancy
Checklist (when leaving your job)
On your last day at work you should receive your full
entitlement to wages, plus payment for any
outstanding period of notice that you have not
worked. You should also receive:-
accrued holiday pay
details of your personal pension arrangements
your income tax form P45
references – agreed by your employer
redundancy pay (subject to two years continuous
service)
a letter stating your date of redundancy.
Careers Advice and
Training
Careers information, advice or
guidance
The National Careers Service (previously known as
Next Step) provides access to independent,
professional advice on careers, skills and the labour
market. The service is free to everyone aged 13 and
over and is available online and through advisers on
the telephone. For adults there is also face-to-face
advice in the community.
As part of the National Careers Service, all adults
can open a Lifelong Learning Account, which gives
them clear information and advice on skills, careers
and financial support in a single, personalised online
space. You can speak to an adviser on 0800 100
900. Calls from a landline are free, but you may be
subject to a network charge when calling from a
mobile.
If you want to arrange an appointment for a Skills
Transfer Analysis then you should call 01566
771130 to book an advice session in your area with
one of their qualified careers advisers.
Alternatively you can access their website on
https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/Pag
es/Home.aspx
Redundancy Payments Helpline
Provided by the Insolvency Service, this helpline
provides advice and information on all aspects of
redundancy entitlement, telephone: 0845 145 0004
The Insolvency Service has also produced a leaflet
called “Redundancy & Insolvency; A Guide for
Employees”, which is available online at:
http://www.insolvencydirect.bis.gov.uk/pdfs/guid
anceleafletspdf/guideforemployees.pdf
Lump sum payments on redundancy
If you receive a lump sum payment, it may include a
payment in lieu of notice as well as a redundancy
payment. These may affect your benefit entitlement.
If you have to claim benefits from the Department of
Work and Pensions, they may need to know how
any such payment was spent. You can seek advice
from an independent advice agency.
Training
If you are under threat of redundancy, of have been
recently made redundant and find that there is a
specific gap in your knowledge or experience that is
restricting your chances of getting work in the local
labour market. Jobcentre Plus may be able to assist,
if the gap could be addressed by some short
duration training, Contact the Jobcentre Plus
Rapid Response team on 01872 355067 to
discuss.
Institute of Business Consulting and
Chartered Management Institute
The Institute of Business Consulting and Chartered
Management Institute currently offer a Redundancy
Support Service to their members, which includes
a free initial diagnostic session with a counsellor /
adviser. If you are a member and would like to
speak with a counsellor / adviser, contact IBC on
020 7421 2733 or email
.
Full details of the service can be found by visiting
www.managers.org.uk/redundancy.
The University of East London and the Chartered
Management Institute of Management have jointly
produced a self-help book entitled “Seasons of
Change” which has been designed to meet the
needs of those facing redundancy and job change.
The book can be downloaded, free of charge here:
http://www.managers.org.uk/forum/management
-cpd/free-ebook-change-management
The Learning Institute
For people who have worked or want to work with
children and young people, offer a Foundation
Degree in Integrated Children’s Services. They are
based in the South West and offer a range of
education based development services
independently and through their partners.
Contact 01726 891 807 or e mail
or visit their website
www.learninginstitute.co.uk
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Seeking Work in Plymouth, West Devon & East Cornwall
Higher Education
If you a considering Higher Education, Life Pilot is a
web site that seeks to broaden access to Higher
Education for adults, it gives practical advice and
information. Access at http://www.life-pilot.co.uk/
If You Are Considering
Self Employment
Business Link has an online advice site for
people considering setting up their own business at
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/ho
me
Link into Learning
Link into Learning can help you with the challenge
of redundancy. Courses offered at their centres
include:-
Communication, English and maths skills
(including essential skills of adult literacy &
numeracy)
National qualifications, achievable in weeks if
you lack GCSEs
Interview, presentation, CV writing and jobsearch
skills
A brush up on basic computer skills
Contact on 0300 1231 117 to discuss.
Please note that English for Speakers of Other
Languages (ESOL) courses are no longer
automatically free – your nearest centre will provide
details.
Literacy covers English reading and writing skills,
including spelling, punctuation and grammar, as
well as communication and study skills that will help
you with further learning.
Numeracy involves handling numbers, data,
diagrams, measurements and money calculations
that you might come across at work or in everyday
life. It goes up to the equivalent of GCSE level
maths.
Outset
Provide a range of information advice
and one to one mentoring for people considering
self employment. Assistance can continue when
you have set up your business.
Contact on Freephone 0800 028 5699 or visit their
website at www.outsetplymouth.co.uk, or in
Cornwall www.outsetcornwall.co.uk
Working Links – Enterprise Coaching
(for people in the area covered by Plymouth City
Council)
Enterprise coaching gives you the opportunity for
one to one mentoring and support to help you
consider whether self-employment might be right
for you. They can then refer you to further sources
of help to get you started.
Contact: Christine Smith – 01752 672007
www.workinglinks.co.uk
Her Majesties Revenue and Customs
HMRC Advice Teams run a range of free local
workshops giving practical advice on a of tax
matters including:-
Starting up in Self Employment,
Completing Tax Returns; and
VAT
Their website also gives a range of information,
advice and guidance on starting a business. Go
online at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/selfemployed/
Remember to register with HMRC within 3 months
of starting. Contact the Newly Self-Employed
helpline on 0845 915 4515 and see
www.hmrc.gov.uk/startingup for more details.
The Transition to Teaching
Programme
The Transition to Teaching programme has been
designed to help employers promote a new career
in teaching to high-performing employees who are
considering a mid to late career change.
If you are an employee or thinking about changing
career and you are interested in getting into
teaching, you can sign up with the Teaching
Agency for information and advice.
Plymouth City Council offers free impartial
advice for people considering starting a business or
self-employment. This includes information on
premises and workspace, as well as signposting to
other sources of help.
Call 01752 306000 for an initial appointment with
Sue Grant or email
For details of other organisations in the Plymouth
area who offer support for those considering self
employment go to
http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/selfemployment
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Seeking Work in Plymouth, West Devon & East Cornwall
Need some additional vocational
training to start self employment?
If you are under threat of redundancy, of have been
recently made redundant and you find that you
need some additional vocational skills / training to
make your business proposal viable, the Jobcentre
Plus Rapid Response team may be able to assist
by funding some short duration training
Money Matters
Jobseeker’s Allowance
Jobseeker’s Allowance is the main benefit for
people of working age. If you're eligible, it is paid
while you're looking for work.
To find out more and to make a claim for Job
Seekers Allowance or other Working Age
Benefits, visit the Benefits & Financial Support
page on the Directgov website at
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBene
fits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/index.
htm.
The Direct Gov site also includes an on line
Benefits Adviser, which will allow you to get benefit
advice, check which benefits you may be able to
get and get an estimate of the benefits, tax credits
or pension that may be available.
To access, type Benefits Adviser in the “search
site” box on the Direct Gov web page.
Contact the Jobcentre Plus Rapid
Response team on 01872 355067 to discuss
If you live in Cornwall, ReZolve Skills, based in
Bodmin and operating across the county, run a job
club with training in business planning and self
employment. They also offer a range of other
training services on a flexible basis, with either
group or one to one sessions with free use of
internet for research and job search, practical help
with application forms and putting together a CV.
Contact Cynthia Thomas on 01208 77415 or email
Social Enterprises
Social enterprises are businesses trading for social
and environmental purposes.
Many commercial businesses would consider
themselves to have social objectives, but social
enterprises are distinctive because their social
and/or environmental purpose is absolutely central
to what they do - their profits are reinvested to
sustain and further their mission for positive
change. Examples of well known Social Enterprises
are The Big Issue, the Eden Project and Jamie
Oliver's restaurant Fifteen.
If you are interested in developing a social
enterprise business contact Co-active at www.co-
active.org.uk who offer a programme of free
workshops to help you get started.
More information is available online at the
Alternatives to Registering as a Charity pages of
DirectGov.
Lump sum payment
If you receive a lump sum, it may include a
payment in lieu of notice as well as a redundancy
payment. These may affect your benefit
entitlement. You need to think carefully about how
you use a lump sum. If you have to claim income
related benefits in the future, Jobcentre Plus may
need to know how you have spent it.
Redundancy payments will be treated as capital
and may affect your entitlement. Holiday Pay may
be included in the amount of capital you have and
may therefore affect your entitlement to benefit.
The rules covering Pay in Lieu of Notice (PILON)
and Holiday Pay have changed. PILON and
Holiday Pay do not count as income for the
purposes of claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance any
more, so you should make your claim immediately.
You will not have to wait until the period covered by
PILON or Holiday Pay is over.
If you are claiming Income Support, PILON and
Holiday Pay may be treated as income depending
on whether you were in full or part-time
employment. You should not delay making a
claim.
Both PILON and Holiday Pay may be treated as
capital for both Income Support and income related
Jobseeker’s Allowance purposes.
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Seeking Work in Plymouth, West Devon & East Cornwall
Adjusting your budget
One of the most worrying aspects of redundancy
and unemployment is the need to adjust to reduced
income, balance the budget and manage debt. It is
important to follow some simple rules:
Shelter also provides housing debt advice and
advice and support on finding a place to live. You
can contact them on 0808 800 4444 or online at
www.shelter.org.uk.
If you are having problems paying your mortgage
you can also contact Homemaker, an
independent advice charity. Please see
Homemaker Southwest
Sort out your important bills and
draw up a personal budget
List your income and spending. Allocate money to
your important bills and see what is left for your
less important bills or other non-priority debts. You