Seeking Work in Plymouth, West Devon and East Cornwall - A guide to where to find help and advice if you are facing redundancy or unemployment.
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Seeking Work in Plymouth, West Devon and East Cornwall A guide to where to find help and advice if you are facing redundancy or unemployment. March 2021 http://inclusioncornwall.co.uk/resources/library/
Seeking Work in Plymouth, West Devon & East Cornwall
Here to help Local help
The help detailed on the following pages is usually free of Most of the help given here is free of charge if you are
charge if you are unemployed or under notice of unemployed or under notice of redundancy. It’s good to
redundancy. Jobcentre Plus is not responsible for the check the internet for the latest information. You can do this
content or reliability of linked websites. Listings should if you have an internet connection on your home computer.
not be taken as an endorsement of any kind. Alternatively, go into your local library, college or learning
centre for help.
The leaflet is designed to be used online as it contains links Free Internet Access
to other websites and is available electronically at Access to computers including high speed internet is
http://inclusioncornwall.co.uk/resources/library/ available in libraries
The most recent version should always be on this website. https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/libraries/computersandwifi
If you search using a search engine (like Google or Bing, for throughout Plymouth and Devon
example), you may not necessarily find the most up to date https://www.devonlibraries.org.uk/web/arena/discover-
edition. computersandit. Computers are free to use for library
For any amendments to the contents of this document members, there is a small charge for visitors.
please contact the Jobcentre Plus Response to In Cornwall, free access to computers including internet is
Redundancy Co-ordinator at available in libraries throughout the county. A booking
rrs.devonandcornwall@dwp.gov.uk service is available in most libraries to ensure that everyone
has an opportunity to use the facilities. To check if your
Contents library in Cornwall has internet connection, call 01872
Title Page 322005 You can find your nearest learning centre by going
to www.ukonlinecentres.com or you can call 0114 349
Local Help 2 1666
GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/ is the UK government website
Redundancy & Careers Advice & Training 3 and gives access to a range of information and advice.
Topics include:-
If you are Considering Self Employment 5 Employment https://www.gov.uk/browse/working
Money and tax https://www.gov.uk/browse/tax
Money Matters 6 Benefits https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits (including
information on which benefits and how to make your claim)
Other Sources of Help 9 Education and learning
https://www.gov.uk/browse/education where you can learn
Information for Overseas Workers 11 more about improving your “Skills for Life”
Claiming Jobseeker's Allowance or Universal Credit
Seeking Work/Getting a Job 11 Online https://www.gov.uk/jobseekers-allowance You can
get advice online about what benefits, pension or other
Improving IT skills 13 financial help you may get www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators
When you are looking for work no matter how the job has
Recruitment Websites 14 been advertised, it is always your responsibility to protect
your own safety. The GOV.UK site https://www.gov.uk/ also
Local Recruitment Agencies 16 has some very helpful tips on protecting your personal
details and steps you can take to protect yourself when
Construction Agencies in the SW 20 looking for work in the Safe Jobseeking
https://www.gov.uk/jobsearch-rights section.
Citizens’ Advice Bureaux in Devon & 21 Online help from Cornwall Libraries
Cornwall Universal Skills
http://www.220soft.eu/cornwall/Universal/is an easy to use
online program designed to help with job skills, Universal
Call Charges and Phone Numbers Job Match and Universal Credit. You’ll need your library
If you call from a landline, approximate charges to numbers number to enrol. The link to Universal skills can also be
beginning 01, 02 or 03 are between 2 & 10p per minute; found on careers and online learning
calls to 0845 numbers are charged at between 1 – 10.5p https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/leisure-and-
per minute. Calls to 0800 or 0808 numbers are free. culture/libraries/your-library-online/online-reference-
Check with your phone provider to find out the actual cost. library/careers-and-online-learning/
Calls from payphones can cost more. For more information Inclusion Cornwall Hub
about other charges, you can check the Gov.Uk site here If you need support The Inclusion Cornwall Hub can help
https://www.gov.uk/call-charges answer any questions you have about how and where to
access support. Visit their web page at
https://www.supportincornwall.org.uk/kb5/cornwall/directory/
service.page?id=rm0F8MBee60 or you can contact them
on 01872 326440 or email Bev.Wilson@cornwall.gov.uk
2Seeking Work in Plymouth, West Devon & East Cornwall
Redundancy Careers Advice and Training
Checklist (when leaving your job) The National Careers Service (NCS) provides access
to independent, professional advice on careers, skills and
On your last day at work you should receive your full
the labour market. The service is free to everyone aged 13
entitlement to wages, plus payment for any outstanding
and over and is available online and through advisers on
period of notice that you have not worked. You should also
the telephone. For adults there is also face-to-face advice in
receive:-
the community.
accrued holiday pay
If you want to arrange an appointment for a Skills Transfer
details of your personal pension arrangements Analysis then you should call your local office to book a face
your income tax form P45 to face appointment in your area with one of their qualified
references – agreed by your employer careers advisers. Telephone 0333 0062966. You will need
redundancy pay (subject to two years continuous to specifically state that you are booking a Skills Transfer
service) Analysis appointment.
a letter stating your date of redundancy. For general careers information you can access their
Detailed information on your rights in redundancy is website on
available from the Money Advice Service https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/Pages/Home.as
https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/your- px
legal-rights-when-facing-redundancy or go to You can also look for different types of learning
www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk opportunities using the National Careers Service Find a
Redundancy Payments Helpline Course site here
Get information and advice on statutory redundancy pay in https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/course-
England, Scotland and Wales on Gov.uk. directory/home# All providers are contracted with the Skills
https://www.gov.uk/redundancy-your-rights Funding Agency (SFA) or the Education Funding Agency
Telephone: 0330 331 0020 (EFA) and include colleges, training providers and local
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm education authorities. Contact an adviser if you need help
You can get help with finding the right course for you.
statutory redundancy pay Training
https://www.gov.uk/redundancy-your-rights/redundancy- If you are unemployed and claiming benefits, you can speak
pay to your Jobcentre Work Coach about funded training.
your rights if your employer is insolvent Job Finding Support
https://www.gov.uk/your-rights-if-your-employer-is- If you have been out of work for less than 13 weeks we
insolvent now have a brand new programme called Job Finding
You can also contact ACAS for information and advice. Support that has been designed to help you get back into
Their helpline number is 0300 123 1100. Alternatively you employment.
can go online at http://www.acas.org.uk It will all be delivered on-line, or by phone if you don’t have a
Lump sum payments on redundancy computer, so no need to leave home to take part.
If you receive a lump sum payment, it may include a Job Finding Support offers:
payment in lieu of notice as well as a redundancy payment. A minimum of 4 hours of one-to-one advice and support
These may affect your benefit entitlement. If you have to A mock interview
claim benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions, A group session
they may need to know how any such payment was spent. Help to identify your transferable job skills
You can seek advice from an independent advice agency. Sector specific job advice
Apprentices Job matching to suitable vacancies and advice/links
If you are undertaking an Apprenticeship and are at risk of, about suitable employers
or are made redundant, there is assistance available to help The programme will help you develop an up to date CV and
you to complete your Apprenticeship. This may be by a personalised Job Finding Action Plan that you can follow.
helping to find another employer with whom you can If you would like to know more about this free and
complete your training, or there is the possibility of voluntary programme, contact your Work Coach.
completing it through a full-time learning route. National Skills Fund From April 2021, any adult
The coronavirus pandemic has caused some organisations aged 24 and over who wants to achieve their first full level 3
to make redundancies. If you’re facing redundancy, The qualification, which is equivalent to a technical certificate or
Redundancy Support Service for Apprentices can help. If diploma, or 2 full A levels, will be able to access almost 400
you are an apprentice who has been made redundant or fully funded courses. Courses will be available in a variety of
think you might be made redundant in the future, you can lengths, to support adults to get the skills they need to boost
use the service to get free advice and support, and find new their careers.. For more information go to
opportunities. Visit http://ow.ly/hwXn50BMWqH or call 0800 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-skills-fund#level-3-
015 0400 to speak to an adviser adult-offer
If you live in Cornwall, there is information available on
Careers and Online learning here
https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/leisure-and-
3Seeking Work in Plymouth, West Devon & East Cornwall
culture/libraries/your-library-online/online-reference- will then refer to the appropriate adviser to make contact
library/careers-and-online-learning/ and discuss.On Course South West delivers accredited
Skills Toolkit and non-accredited learning opportunities to adults across a
Free digital and numeracy courses to build skills via a wide range of subjects, which include vocational, life skills
platform hosted on GOV.UK. has introductory, intermediate and personal development. Visit their website at
and advanced online courses, tools and resources http://www.oncoursesouthwest.co.uk/ or call 01752
https://theskillstoolkit.campaign.gov.uk/. 660713 for more information.
Heart of the South West Skills Launchpad. Achievement Training offers a wide range of flexible
Skills Launchpad can help you find information about skills, educational and vocational training courses to young people
careers, training and jobs in Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and adults. Go to https://www.achievementtraining.com/
and Torbay. Go to https://skillslaunchpad.org.uk/ to find out or call 01752 202266.
more. Literacy covers English reading and writing skills. Numeracy
Jobcentre Plus Response to Redundancy support involves handling numbers, data, diagrams, measurements
Help may also be available to assist people affected by and money calculations that you might come across at work
redundancy to undertake additional short duration job or in everyday life.
focused training, via the Response to Redundancy The Transition to Teaching Programme
Service (RRS) fund. The Transition to Teaching programme has been designed
Eligibility conditions apply, including that funding for the job
to help employers promote a new career in teaching to high-
focused training should not be available from another performing employees who are considering a mid to late
source and you will need to provide evidence that the career change. If you thinking about changing career and you
requested training will substantially increase chances of are interested in getting into teaching, you can sign up with
getting a job. If you have recently been, or are about to be
the Teaching Agency
made redundant and registered for Jobseekers Allowance https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/get-help-and-
or Universal Credit ask your Work Coach, or contact the support for information and advice.
RRS team rrs.devonandcornwall@dwp.gov.uk, as we may
be able to help you access work focussed training.
Health Careers The NHS has a website aimed at
people of any age thinking about a career in health, and
The Learning Institute For people who have those who’ve already started a career in health and are
worked or want to work with children and young people, thinking about their next step. To find out more, go to
offer a Foundation Degree in Integrated Children’s Services.
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/
Contact 01726 891 807 or e mail
hello@learninginstitute.co.uk or visit their website
Scope is a charity which provide a service called Support
to Work which offers advice to disabled people applying
www.learninginstitute.co.uk
for jobs. This is an online employment service supported with
Higher Education telephone, Skype or text. It’s open to disabled people who:
If you a considering Higher Education, Life Pilot is a web are of working age
site that seeks to broaden access to Higher Education for are looking for paid work
adults, it gives practical advice and information. Access have access to the internet, telephone and email
at http://www.life-pilot.co.uk and live in England or Wales.
Link into Learning can help you with the challenge of Scope’s experienced advisors can support customers with:
redundancy if you live in Cornwall. Contact on 0300 1231 employability skills
117 to discuss. Courses offered at their centres include:- CV guidance
Communication, English and maths skills (including interview techniques
essential skills of adult literacy & numeracy) More information can be found at:
National qualifications, achievable in weeks if you lack https://www.scope.org.uk/support/services/employment/supp
GCSEs ort-work
Interview, presentation, CV writing and jobsearch skills
brush up on basic computer skills
Please note that English for Speakers of Other Languages
(ESOL) courses are no longer automatically free – your
nearest centre will provide details.
In Plymouth:
Skills Support for Redundancy:
https://www.serco-ese.com/skills-support-for-the-
workforce/SSR For Individuals facing redundancy, or who
have been made redundant within the last three months:
The SSR programme can provide access to funded skills
training, retraining and careers guidance. Help with
functional, vocational and career progression skills may be
available. To access, customers should email
skillssupport@serco.com giving details of their name,
address, where they worked and date of redundancy. Serco
4Seeking Work in Plymouth, West Devon & East Cornwall
National Business Support Helpline
If You Are Considering Self You can find practical on line help and support for people
Employment considering setting up their own business at
https://www.gov.uk/browse/business/setting-up
The GOV.UK website You can contact the National Business Support helpline for
https://www.gov.uk/browse/business/setting-up has advice and information about setting up your business on
links to practical help and support for people considering 0845 600 9006. The helpline is open Monday to Friday,9am
setting up their own business at https://www.gov.uk/set- to 6pm. They will be able to give you information about
up-self-employed including lists of organisations that Growth Hubs which are being set up across the Country
may be able to help with finance and other practical The Citizens Advice Bureau also has a great deal of
support https://www.gov.uk/business-finance-support useful information on their self employment checklist at
National Business Support helpline You can find http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/work_e/work_s
practical on line help and support for people considering elf-employed_or_looking_for_work_e/self-
setting up their own business at employment_checklist.htm
https://www.gov.uk/browse/business/setting-up. Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Growth Hub provides a single
You can contact the National Business Support Helpline point for accessing a range of information and support
for advice and information about setting up your own needed to start or grow a business if you live in Cornwall.
business in England on 0300 456 3565. The helpline is Call direct or register online at 01209 708660
open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm.They will be able to www.ciosgrowthhub.com.
give you information about Growth Hubs which are being The Heart of the South West Growth Hub
set up across the Country. Provides independent diagnosis and referrals to existing
While their loans are not free and are a commercial business services, such as local and national business
operation, there is a lot of free help and advice from the support schemes, services and events. Tel: 03456 047 047
Start Up Loans Company here www.heartofswgrowthhub.co.uk
https://www.startuploans.co.uk/business-advice/ and they Outset Free advice and support for people living in
also have put a comprehensive list of free Open University Cornwall considering self-employment. Starting out on your
courses which could help if you are thinking of becoming own can seem daunting, but Outset is on hand to offer an
self-employed. For more information, go to expert range of support to help you every step of the way as
https://www.startuploans.co.uk/learn-with-start-up-loans /. you focus your ideas and then start, run and grow your new
New Enterprise Allowance business. For more information contact
New Enterprise Allowance can provide money and support cornwall@outset.org or go to
to help you start your own business if you're getting certain https://www.outset.org/cornwall/
benefits. Go to https://www.gov.uk/new-enterprise- Plymouth City Council – Business Support Guide for
allowance to find out more. start-ups
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/businesses/businesssup
You should register with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) portandadvice
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm- Scroll down the page to find the guide.
revenue-customs if you are going to take up self- Start Your Own Business If you are starting a business in
employment. the UK, this site is full of FREE resources, useful information
Where to go for further advice and help and local contacts to help you start and grow successfully.
Registering for Self Assessment https://www.syob.net/
www.hmrc.gov.uk/sa/register.htm Social Enterprises are businesses trading for social and
GOV.UK website www.gov.uk environmental purposes. Many commercial businesses
Tax Help series factsheets would consider themselves to have social objectives, but
www.hmrc.gov.uk/thelibrary/tax-help.htm easy to social enterprises are distinctive because their social and/or
read factsheets covering a range of topics ie: “Keeping environmental purpose is absolutely central to what they do
records for business” and “Problems paying your tax”. - their profits are reinvested to sustain and further their
Online presentations mission for positive change. Examples of well known Social
www.hmrc.gov.uk/webinars Live presentations or Enterprises are The Big Issue or the Eden Project.
“webinars” a download, including the simple record keeping If you are interested in developing a social enterprise
software app business visit the Plymouth City Council site at
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/record- https://www.visitplymouth.co.uk/invest/why-
keeping-and-simpler-income-tax-applicationssoftware plymouth/key-sectors/social-enterprise for more
and HMRC’s Tax calculator app, information.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.gov.h If you live in Cornwall, and are interested in developing a
mrc.ptcalc&feature=search_result which allows people to social enterprise, contact Cornwall Rural Community
work out how much tax they pay and how the Government Council who offer a programme of free workshops to help
spends it. Remember to register with HMRC within 3 you get started. Visit their website at
months of starting self-employment. Contact the Newly http://www.cornwallrcc.org.uk/community-
Self-Employed helpline on 0300 200 3504 and see development/ or phone them on 01872 273952.
www.hmrc.gov.uk/startingup for more details
5Seeking Work in Plymouth, West Devon & East Cornwall
More information is available online on Gov.UK on the
Setting up a Social Enterprise https://www.gov.uk/set- Money Matters
up-a-social-enterprise page. Jobseeker’s Allowance & Universal Credit
Need some additional vocational training to start self- If you are looking for work, you can claim either Universal
employment? Credit or Jobseeker's Allowance, depending on your
If you are under threat of redundancy, of have been recently circumstances. You can find information and advice about
made redundant and you find that you need some benefits if you are facing redundancy here
additional vocational skills / training to make your business https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/employme
proposal viable, the Jobcentre Plus Response to nt-and-benefits-support/redundancy/
Redundancy scheme may be able to assist by funding You can check to see if you are eligible for Universal Credit
some short duration training. There are conditions that or a contribution-based New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance
apply to this funding – for example, we cannot reimburse (JSA(C)NS) here https://www.gov.uk/how-to-claim-
you for training that you have already paid for, and if the universal-credit and more information to help you
training is available for free or from other funded provision, understand about Universal Credit is available here
then funding would also not be available. Ask your Work https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/
Coach about this, or contact the Jobcentre Plus Response If you have worked and paid enough National Insurance
to redundancy co-ordinator at email contributions, usually within the last 2 tax years, you may be
RRS.DEVONANDCORNWALL@dwp.gov.uk for more eligible to claim a contribution-based benefit. See
information. https://www.gov.uk/ for more information about New style
Jobseeker’s Allowance https://www.gov.uk/jobseekers-
allowance and New style Employment and Support
Allowance https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-
allowance .
To find out more about what benefits are available, visit the
Benefits & Financial Support page on the GOV.UK website
at https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefit You can also
check how much benefit you may be able to get on one
of the benefits calculators here
https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators
You will need
an e-mail address; and
a suitable CV
The CAB website explains how to get an email address on
their website here
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-
credit/claiming/starting-your-universal-credit-claim/ and CV
help is available from the National Careers Service here
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/get-a-job/cv-sections
Getting help to apply for Universal Credit
The Citizens Advice Help to Claim service can support
you in the early stages of your Universal Credit claim, from
the online application, through to support with your
application before your first full payment.
It’s a free, independent, confidential and impartial service
provided by trained advisers from Citizens Advice. They can
help with things like how to gather evidence for your
application or how to prepare for your work coach
appointment.
Call for free: 0800 144 8 444 (England)
Get support online or find your nearest face to face
service at citizensadvice.org.uk/helptoclaim
Lump sum payment
If you receive a lump sum, it may include a payment in lieu
of notice (PILON) 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 an income related benefit in the future, Jobcentre Plus
may need to know how you have spent it.
Redundancy payments will be treated as capital if you claim
an income based benefit, and may affect your entitlement.
6Seeking Work in Plymouth, West Devon & East Cornwall
Holiday Pay may be included in the amount of capital you Advice UK https://www.adviceuk.org.uk/ is the
have and may therefore affect your entitlement to benefit. largest UK network of advice providing organisations.
PILON and Holiday Pay do not count as income for the They don't give advice themselves, but can put you in
purposes of claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA(C)NS) touch with the right advice giving agency.
any more, so you should make your claim immediately. Civil Legal Advice https://www.gov.uk/civil-legal-
You will not have to wait until the period covered by PILON advice offers free help or legal advice with debt,
or Holiday Pay is over. housing, employment, education and welfare benefit
Unlike JSA(C)NS, any income paid to you after the date you issues. Call 0345 345 4 345
claim Universal Credit will affect the amount you receive. Mortgage/Secured Loan
Tax Credits You must pay your monthly mortgage. If you are having
It is important to tell the Tax Credit Office about any difficulty, contact your lender to discuss interest only
changes to your working circumstances because it may payments, temporary suspension/ reduction in payments,
change the amount of Working Tax Credit you get. Contact extending the term of the mortgage, freezing endowment
on 0345 300 3900 , between 08:00 - 20:00, or see the payments and other options.
website for more information www.hmrc.gov.uk and select Rent and Council Tax
Tax Credits You must pay your rent and council tax. You may be
Adjusting your budget entitled to help with these. To find out more, go to the
One of the most worrying aspects of redundancy and Housing Benefit pages on the Plymouth City Council
unemployment is the need to adjust to reduced income, https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/counciltax or Cornwall
balance the budget and manage debt. It is important to Council websites https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/advice-and-
follow some simple rules: benefits/benefits/
Sort out your important bills and draw up a personal budget. Housing
List your income and spending. Allocate money to your If you are concerned that you are homeless or threatened
important bills and see what is left for your less important with homelessness
bills or other non-priority debts.
You should always pay your important or priority bills first, In Plymouth If you're looking for somewhere to live or
such as your mortgage or rent, fuel, water, council tax, fines worried about losing your accommodation it's important to
and child support. talk to the Housing Options Team as soon as possible as
After you have sorted out your priority bills and taken into they can provide help, advice and support to prevent you
account your normal household bills and expenses, you can from becoming homeless. Go to 1st Stop at 71 New George
approach your other creditors and offer to make a payment. Street, Plymouth PL1 1RJ or you can contact them on
These creditors will be more interested in getting something housingoptions@plymouth.gov.uk or call 01752 305496
from you rather than take any action against you. If you offer (select option 1). For more information go to
to pay less than the interest being charged, ask the creditor https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/homesandproperty/homelesso
to suspend the interest. rrisk/riskbecominghomeless
In the South Hams District, you should contact the
The Money Advice Service offers a free, online Housing team at South Hams District Council
money health-check which will take you through the steps to Follaton House, Plymouth Road, Totnes, TQ9 5NE
draw up your personal budget plan. Telephone: 01803 86123. In an emergency and out-of-
They also provide a wide range of impartial information on hours telephone number is: 01803 867034. Information is
money matters covering from cards and loans to savings also available on their website here
and investments. This is all available from: https://www.southhams.gov.uk/article/4357/At-Risk-of-
http://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk or you can call Homelessness
their helpline on 0300 500 5000. Calls are charged at your
normal rate. In Cornwall If you are homeless, threatened with
You can get free independent debt/money management homelessness, or concerned that you may become
advice from your local Citizen’s Advice Bureau. The homeless, The Homelessness Prevention Team offers
phone number for your local CAB can be found in your local free advice and assistance. It’s very important that you
Yellow Pages or access their Advice Guide web site at contact the team as soon as possible if you are having
www.adviceguide.org.uk difficulties with the security of your tenure, paying your rent
Free independent telephone advice on debt is also or mortgage. If you have a housing emergency where there
available from, amongst others: is an immediate risk of losing your accommodation, call their
out of hours emergency number: 0300 1234 161or email
Payplan – 0800 716 239
info@cornwallhousing.org.uk
National Debtline – 0808 808 4000
Stonham Byan also offers free County-Wide Housing
Debt Advice Network – 0151 356 8200
Related Advice across Cornwall. Contact them for more
http://www.thedebtadvicenetwork.org e mail
information on 07710709527. Alternatively you can email
info@thedebtadvicenetwork.org
them at stonhambyan@homegroup.org.uk
Consumer Credit Counselling Service – 0800 138 1111
Shelter also provides housing debt advice and advice and
Advice Now https://www.advicenow.org.uk/ is
support on finding a place to live. You can contact them on
an independent, not for profit website providing accurate
0808 800 4444 or online at www.shelter.org.uk. In an
information on rights and legal issues.
emergency you can contact them on 0808 1644 660.
7Seeking Work in Plymouth, West Devon & East Cornwall
The Money Advice Service offers advice and To help people to make informed decisions about this, the
information about what to do if you have mortgage or Government is providing guidance to all those able to take
rent arrears. Visit their website here advantage of these new freedoms. For more information go
https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/categories/ to the Pensions Wise pages on Gov.Uk at
debt-and-borrowing https://www.pensionwise.gov.uk/
Gas/Electricity/Water How can I find out about my pension?
Consider paying through a budget scheme or through a www.gov.uk/browse/working/state-pension
card/token meter. Paying by direct debit is cheaper. You provides a range of pension information such as how to
may want to try and get a cheaper tariff for your gas and obtain pension forecasts or entitlement to pension
electricity. A switching company can provide you with credit – go online or phone 0800 99 1234
information. If you would like to speak to an adviser for www.pensionprotectionfund.org.uk – for information
further details about changing tariffs, or for more general about how pensions may be affected by insolvency. Go
advice on how to save energy and money, call 0800 512 online or call 0845 600 2541
012 or go online at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk. The Financial Conduct Authority is a good source of
Advice provided by the South West Energy Saving Trust is information about pension scams. For advice and
free and is available to all domestic households in the information go to their website here
region. It is part of the national network of advice centres https://www.fca.org.uk/consumers or phone them
managed by the Energy Saving Trust. on 0800 111 6768 (freephone) or 0300 500 8082
Magistrate Court Fines Do not take any action without further expert advice.
Always pay something. Send a letter to the court explaining Her Majesty’s Court Service
your circumstances together with a personal budget and Difficulties that you may encounter are court proceedings for
offer of payment. See the section in this leaflet on Her non-payment of fines, bailiffs calling to enforce payment, re-
Majesty’s Court Service below. possession of property, divorce and family proceedings. If
Hire Purchase you find yourself with problems in any of these areas, the
Seek advice from your creditor. Non-payment could mean court may be able to help.
your goods being repossessed. The staff at the court can take you through the court
Maintenance/Child Support procedures and help if you are having difficulties with forms.
They can also arrange for you to attend the court for a pre-
If you are paying maintenance and child support through the
hearing visit. The bailiffs can often arrange for county court
Child Support Agency, you should ask for a reassessment
payments to be made over a period of time and can liaise
because your income has dropped. If you are paying
with the creditor on the defendant’s behalf.
through any other arrangement that you have made on your
Communication with the court is always important. A duty
own, you may wish to renegotiate. For further details please
solicitor attends the court on certain dates when it may be
contact the Child Support Agency on 0800 171 2168 (this is
possible to obtain free legal advice on re-possession and
the number for the Plymouth local office). Alternatively, go to
eviction (depending on your circumstances). The court has
the CSA information pages on the GOV.UK site here:
a range of leaflets that explain procedures fully.
https://www.gov.uk/arranging-child-maintenance-child-
Find the appropriate court and contact details at
support-agency
https://courttribunalfinder.service.gov.uk/search/.
Credit Unions Civil Legal Advice offers free help or legal advice with
Encourage members to save regularly, provide loans to debt, housing, employment, education and welfare benefit
members at low rates of interest and can provide members issues. Call 0345 345 4 345 .For further information about
with help and support on managing their financial affairs. Her Majesty’s Court Service, please visit the website at
Credit Unions welcome everyone within their area About HM Courts & Tribunals Service
regardless of income, employment status or age. To find https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-
your local Credit Union, look up Credit Unions in the Yellow courts-and-tribunals-service
Pages or you can find information online at www.abcul.org
Protecting your pension rights
The Pensions Advisory Service (TPAS) provides free
information and advice about your State Pension or your
company, personal, stakeholder or occupational pension.
Go to their website at
http://www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk/
Or to make an online enquiry, go to
https://www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk/contactin
g-us/online-enquiry-form
National helpline: 0800 011 3797
Pension Wise
From 6 April 2015, people can decide how to take the
money from their pension pots when they retire.
8Seeking Work in Plymouth, West Devon & East Cornwall
information go to https://www.bitc.org.uk/age-and-
Other Sources of Help / multigeneration-teams/ or email webeditor@bitc.org.uk .
Information Children’s Centres Cornwall’s Children’s Centres are
Turn2us helps people in financial need gain access to designed for children under 5 years of age but support
children and young people 0-19 years. Children and their
welfare benefits, charitable grants and other financial help –
families are offered a wide range of high quality services,
online, by phone and face to face through their partner
support and information including play activity sessions,
organisations. Their service is free. Visit their website at
parenting support and family learning opportunities. They
https://www.turn2us.org.uk/
work closely with health visitors, midwives, and other health
Let’s Talk A free online site offering money advice, a professionals who can provide specialist support for families.
benefits calculator and help to access funding from other
Visit the Cornwall Council Children’s Centres page at
sources. https://www.lets-talk.online/
http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/children-
Institute of Business Consulting and Chartered and-family-care/childrens-centres/ for more information.
Management Institute The Institute of Business Routeways are a Plymouth based charity that supports
Consulting and Chartered Management Institute currently children, young people, families and individuals to overcome
offer a Redundancy Support Service to their members, disadvantage. Contact them on Freephone: 0800 783 4259
which includes a free initial diagnostic session with a or 01752 300700 Monday-Thursday: 9am to 5pm
counsellor / adviser. If you are a member then visit their Friday: 9am to 4:30pm;by email at
website at http://www.managers.org.uk/individuals/become- Enquiries@routeways.org.uk or visit the website at
a-member/membership-benefits/redundancy-support http://www.routeways.org.uk/index.php
Citizens Advice Bureaux The CAB also offers advice on Children’s Centres and Childcare information for
a wide range of subjects on their Advice Guide site at Plymouth can now be found on the Plymouth online
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk including helpful fact sheets
directory
on topics such as benefits, debt and housing. Find your local
https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/earlyyearsandchildcare/findchil
CAB office here
drenscentre
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/how-we-provide-
The Childcare Choices website
advice/advice/search-for-your-local-citizens-advice/ or see
https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ provides information on
the list at the end of this leaflet
the government’s childcare schemes and explains how
BBC Skillswise is a free-to-access website for adult parents can pre-register or apply. It also includes a childcare
numeracy and literacy tutors and students, with printable
calculator to show eligible families how much they could
worksheets and factsheets and online games, videos and
receive.
quizzes that can be used in class or by students at home. It
currently covers Skills for Life, numeracy and literacy. To find
No Desire To Retire No Desire To Retire provides support
to claimants who are 50+ through the use of a web-based
out more go to
platform that enhances and supports employment
HP Life is a free on-line resource which provides a wide opportunities. The service is totally free to use for both
range of e-learning. Courses are aimed at supporting people
employees and employers and can help those looking for
looking to start their own business, but could also be relevant
work or those trying to increase their hours. To find out more
to people simply seeking to improve their skills. For more
visit their website at http://www.nodesiretoretire.com/
information go to www.life-global.org/go/dwp
Support for Jobseekers with disabilities
The Service Personnel & Veterans Agency (SPVA) Evenbreak is a not-for-profit social enterprise, & was formed
provides advice and help for both service personnel and the
to achieve three aims:
veterans’ community. They have a telephone helpline and an
•To help inclusive employers attract more talented disabled
online interactive self-help page and offer advice on a broad
people;
range of issues — including health, caring, families,
•To help disabled jobseekers find work with employers who
education, employment, benefits, wellbeing and welfare
will value their skills;
rights. Contact them on 0800 169 2277 or go online at
•To promote the business benefits of employing disabled
http://www.veterans-uk.info/welfaresupportcontact.htm for
people.
more information.
You can register for jobs on their Jobboard, and access a
Help is also available from SORTED! which comprises seven
huge store of resources on subjects from Confidence
well established charities, all of whom provide a wide range
Building & CV Writing to Skills Audits. There are webinar
of employment related services and support for the Forces
presentations and links to other useful websites. For more
community (including spouses/partners and dependents) to
information go to their website
find and stay in work. Contact them on 0800 319 6845 or visit
http://www.evenbreak.co.uk/home/
their web page at https://www.sorted.org.uk/Home.aspx
Accessing Experience is the first employer-led programme
Jobhelp Is a new website on GOV.UK for jobseekers
providing
designed to help people aged 50 plus in England find good
hints and tips on applying for jobs
work. The programme provides training and support to
advice and support on improving skills
individuals over the age of 50 looking to return to work, as
jobs search help
well as skills development, work placements, ‘behind the
Go to https://jobhelp.dwp.gov.uk/ to find out more
scenes’ visits to employers and job opportunities. For more
Accenture’s Skills to Succeed Academy is a free online
training program. It helps you build the skills and confidence
9Seeking Work in Plymouth, West Devon & East Cornwall
you need to make smart career choices and find and
succeed in employment. If you have recently lost your job Information for health and well
and are looking to apply for work, or aiming to reskill, you can
get started with the Skills to Succeed Academy by going to
being
We all know about the worry and stress that being made
https://s2sacademy.com/ and registering using the code
redundant can cause. This can lead to other health issues,
ACCESS
with one in four people suffering from stress, depression or
Barclays LifeSkills Have a wide range of tools, tips and anxiety, in their lifetime.
learning resources for young people on their website at Studies have shown that one in three people with a serious
https://barclayslifeskills.com/ to help support development. mental health issue are in debt. A person’s mental health
LifeSkills and well being can be affected by redundancy or any other
BT have designed a series of short, interactive webinars on major disruption that causes them to borrow money or stop
four different topics so you can use your time to make sure paying bills to cope with the demands of their new situation.
that when the chance comes along you’ll be ready. Find out If you are worried about your own or someone
more about the webinars here else’s emotional and mental well-being, your local
https://www.btplc.com/Careercentre/earlycareers/workready/i
NHS has accessible services that you can contact, often
ndex.htm
without needing a referral from your GP. Go to the South
Google Digital Garage Google Digital Garage training is West NHS IAPT Services website here
completely free of charge to attend. To access the online http://www.iapt.nhs.uk/services/services/south-west-
learning, you simply need to register at nhs-iapt-services to find your local service and details of
https://learndigital.withgoogle.com/digitalgarage. how to contact them.
Lloyds Bank Academy Discover new skills and fresh
ideas at your own pace. Achieve your personal and
Mental health and debt - what can you do?
There is a national campaign to raise awareness and
professional goals. It's free and open to all. Go to
remove the stigma associated with mental health at
https://www.lloydsbankacademy.co.uk/#
http://www.time-to-change.org.uk/home.
Open Learn DWP and The Open University have The Samaritans provide completely confidential emotional
partnered to offer free training tools designed to help people
support, 24 hours a day by phone, face-to-face contact, e-
find a job, advance their career or grow a business. There
mail and letter and allow callers to talk openly about their
are over 1000 free courses available find out more
worries & concerns without fear of being judged. Contact
information on the website here
08457 90 90 90, e-mail jo@samaritans.org or go online at
https://www.open.edu/openlearn/dwp
www.samaritans.org.
Princes Trust Coronavirus Support Hub - some of the You can also contact Shout, a free 24/7 text service for
most useful advice, guidance and resources so you can
anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. To find out more see
continue to upskill by developing your confidence and abilities
their website at https://www.giveusashout.org/. If you’re
during this challenging time, as well as find the answers to
experiencing a personal crisis, are unable to cope and need
your questions on work and self-employment. Visit the
support, text Shout to 85258.
website https://www.princes-trust.org.uk/about-the-
StepChange and the National Debtline can both offer
trust/coronavirus-response/resource-centre
free practical support. Visit their sites at
Springboard Digital Hospitality Academy https://www.stepchange.org/partner-spotlight/debt-and-
Virtual Academy Service Springboard have created an mental-health.aspx or
on-line virtual academy to support you updating your skills, https://www.nationaldebtline.org/EW/factsheets/Pages/d
for when you finish furlough or, if you don’t have a current job, ebt-and-mental-health/mental-health.aspx . Both
helping you prepare for when the job market becomes more organisations have factsheets and practical ideas for
active again. This resource is offered you to free of charge. managing both the debt and helping you to manage
If you are interested in developing your Hospitality skills to emotionally.
enable your career, register to join the programme through
this link https://springboard.uk.net/dha/
Help for ex-offenders
Information for ex-offenders on what you have to disclose
Women into Construction Can help with personalised and when is available on the GOV.UK website here
advice and guidance on training and opportunities available https://www.gov.uk/exoffenders-and-employment.
in construction and related industries, and how we can help
Other sites such as UNLOCK and Work With Offenders
you to access them. Go to their website https://www.women-
offer support to ex-offenders by offering practical advice,
into-construction.org/women/ to find out more.
support, information, knowledge and skills. Click on the links
Construction Talent Retention Scheme below to visit their websites:
The Construction Leadership Council’s Talent Retention UNLOCK - http://hub.unlock.org.uk/
Scheme helps talented individuals showcase their Work With Offenders:
experience and expertise, while helping businesses find the http://www.workwithoffenders.co.uk/pages/view/main%
skills they need. For more information and to register go to 20guidance
https://www.trs-system.co.uk/construction/for_candidates
10Seeking Work in Plymouth, West Devon & East Cornwall
Information for Overseas Seeking Work/Getting a Job
Workers Jobcentre Plus
Use the free Find a job service (available 24 hours a day, 7
If you are a worker from outside the UK seeking or currently
days a week). Go to www.gov.uk/jobsearch to:
working Plymouth, you can find help & advice on the
website of Amber Initiatives on http://www.amber- search 1000’s of job vacancies
initiatives.co.uk. create up to date CV’s to give you the best chance of
If you are a worker from outside the UK seeking or currently making a good first impression with an employer
working in Cornwall, the Welcome to Cornwall, match your CV to the jobs you want and send it direct
Information for Migrant Workers pack contains useful to the employer
information in Portuguese, Polish, Russian and English for Remember, your CV is important as it is often your first
Migrant Workers seeking work, or currently working, in opportunity to make a good impression on an employer.
Cornwall. Copies are available from a range of sources See Twitter feed @khubdwp for information about national
including libraries, colleges and Jobcentres or by telephone employment opportunities and career information. Many
from 01872 326440. They can also be accessed via the Jobcentres have their own Twitter feeds with local
Inclusion Cornwall web site at information. Ask at your Jobcentre.
http://inclusioncornwall.co.uk/practice/projects/cornwal The National Careers Service website
l-migrant-workers-group/ https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/ also
for more information about resources in Cornwall. has practical advice about Jobseeking – see page 3 of this
leaflet for more information about the NCS.
Further Help: You can find information and advice Always follow the tips on safe jobseeking
about Visas and Immigration on Gov.UK at https://www.gov.uk/jobsearch-rightswhen looking for
https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration.
employment, no matter where or who is advertising the
Advice about employment rights and health and safety is
vacancy.
available from the Health & Safety Executive. Go to their
Imployable is a job finder app and web platform that is
website here http://www.hse.gov.uk/migrantworkers/.
designed to change how people get employed. Their career
Information about a broad range of subjects is also available
app allows users to compare and see how they match with
from The Trades Union Congress (TUC) at
the jobs employers are offering. Go to their website
https://www.tuc.org.uk/workingintheuk, and from the
https://imployable.me/ for more information
Citizens' Advice Bureau at
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ The Skills to Succeed Academy has been
Translation Sites created specifically to meet the needs of those looking to
There are various web based sites that offer free on line find and keep a job. It can be used by those of all ages and
language translation, for example Google Translate at contains 36 interactive modules to pick and choose from.
http://translate.google.co.uk or the Translator tool at The free, online training features interactive content which
http://translator.ehubsoft.net/?lang=en will allow you to practice real-life work scenarios in a safe
environment, such as an interview or the first day in a new
Route Planner job.
If you are unsure if or how you may be able to get to a Getting started is quick and easy.
potential new job, there are several free route planners 1. Go to www.s2sacademy.com
available on the internet that can help, for example 2. Register as a learner with your email address and
Googlemaps create a password
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?output=classic&dg=b 3. Use the Learner Access code DW1DC1
rw
AA Route Planner http://www.theaa.com/route- Skills Support for Redundancy (SSR) is an
planner/classic/planner_main.jsp; initiative designed to support employers and individuals
RAC Route Planner http://www.rac.co.uk/route-planner/ affected by redundancy in Devon. SSR is a tailored service
or for public transport routes, Traveline to meet your needs, offering a wide range of training
http://www.traveline.info/ support. A dedicated Partnership Coordinator will work with
Simply type in the address or post code you live at and the you to identify the best sources of support and training to
one you wish to get to and it will offer details of public help you achieve your career goals and get back to work.
transport or car journey route, with plan and timings. Co-financed by the Education & Skills Funding Agency and
European Social Fund, this service is delivered by Serco.
Visit their website at https://www.serco-ese.com/skills-
support-for-the-workforce/SSR to see if they can help you
access the training you need.
Response to Redundancy
Help may also be available to assist people affected by
redundancy to undertake additional short duration job
focused training, via the Response to Redundancy
Service (RRS) fund.
11Seeking Work in Plymouth, West Devon & East Cornwall
Eligibility conditions apply, including that funding for the job recruit online. They may well have a “Vacancies” heading
focused training should not be available from another on their web page where they will show any current
source, or for free. Check the Skills Toolkit first vacancies. If there are none, they may have a section
https://theskillstoolkit.campaign.gov.uk/ If you have recently where you can complete an on line application or send your
been made redundant and registered for Jobseekers CV for possible future consideration.
Allowance or Universal Credit ask your Work Coach, or It is always worth applying via this route, as it shows that
contact the RRS team rrs.devonandcornwall@dwp.gov.uk, you have searched out information about the employer and
as we may be able to help you access work focussed are complying with their preferred method of recruitment. It
training. is also possible that the employer will look at CVs or
Work Clubs Work Clubs provide people with a place to applications logged on their site before advertising any
meet to share experiences, find opportunities, make vacancies, so you may improve your chances of being
contacts and get support to help them in their return to work. considered by them.
Jobcentre Plus Work Coaches will signpost customers to Before you fill in any on line application or post your CV on
local Work Clubs where they are available line, spend some time looking at the employer’s web page,
Volunteering as it may well contain information that will give you useful
Volunteering can be an excellent way to keep your job skills pointers to include in your application, or help you answer
up to date or even to try a different type of job to see if it questions such as “Why would you like to work for this
would suit you whilst unemployed, as well as helping others company?”
in your local area. Companies who either advertise their jobs on their web site
If you are in receipt of benefits it is important that you tell or who let you post your CV on their site may use a
Jobcentre Plus about any volunteering activity that you plan electronic sift to shortlist applicants, so the use of key words
to do. If you do not receive payment or reward other than in your CV could be crucial in getting past the CV sift. If the
payment of expenses incurred, it may well not affect your firm is advertising, look for the key phrases or words in their
benefit. job or people description and try and include in your CV
For more information about volunteering in your area log on posted for that job.
to www.do-it.org for details of your local Volunteer Centre, Dangers of Social Networking and job
or look under Voluntary Organisations in Yellow Pages. search
For Cornwall contact Volunteer Cornwall on 01579 Be aware of the implications potential employers may draw
344818 or email east@volunteercornwall.org.uk from unusual or cheeky email addresses. Also if you have a
For volunteering opportunities targeted at young people 25 Facebook or similar account, it is now not uncommon for
or under log on to http://vinspired.com prospective employers to look at job applicant’s sites to gain
Succeed in the workplace is a free Open University an insight, if your privacy settings allow. It’s worth checking
course which lasts about 8 weeks, with approximately 3 both content and/or your privacy settings to limit who can
hours' study time each week. You can work through the access or see tagged posts, as people have been rejected
course at your own pace, so if you have more time one by employers because of unconsidered content.
week there is no problem with pushing on to complete Internet Safety - Be aware that criminals access CV
another week's study. You can also take as long as you sites too. Never divulge private information data (eg your
want to complete it. date of birth, bank account details etc) in response to an
Enrolling on the course will give you the opportunity to earn email, text, letter or phone call unless you are certain that
an Open University digital badge. Badges are not the request is from a genuine source.
accredited by The Open University but they're a great way SAFERjobs is a voluntary, non-profit organisation which
to demonstrate your interest in the subject and commitment works in partnership with the Metropolitan Police, National
to your career, and to provide evidence of continuing Crime Agency, Department for Business, Innovation and
professional development. Log on at Skills (BIS), to raise awareness and combat criminal
http://www.open.edu/openlearn/ocw/course/view.php?i activities that may be attempted on those seeking a job, or
d=1219# through the services provided by the recruitment industry.
Online Recruitment & Applications Visit them at http://www.safer-jobs.com/ for free advice
Many employers now advertise their vacancies and seek about safe jobsearch methods.
applications online. They often email to tell you whether or Free information and expert advice about staying safe on
not you have been successful. In many cases this is now the internet can also be found at Get Safe Online, here
the only way employers fill their jobs – and the number is http://www.getsafeonline.org/protecting-your-
increasing rapidly. computer/safe-internet-use
To make sure you keep up with the latest vacancies, you Finding internet access if you don’t have
will need to: access to the internet at home:
find ways of having access to the internet UK online centres based in your community. They could be
have your own e-mail address, and in an internet café on the high street, in a public library, a
know how to find vacancies and fill in applications college, in a community centre or a village hall. Some are
online. even mobile. To find your nearest UK online centre go to
If there are particular employers that you would like to work https://www.onlinecentresnetwork.org/ You can also
for it is well worth looking at their web site to see if they email at hello@goodthingsfoundation.org or phone on
12You can also read
