Disability Employment Advisor (DEA)

[diane1]

Hi folks sorry i've been away for a while but i've been on holiday and also had a flare up,but now seem to be getting better.

I am an ex DEA so I know the role inside out so if any of you need any advice I will try and help.

The DEA helps people "in" and "out" of work so if you get told you cant see one if you have a job insist on an appointment or ask to speak to the manager of the Job centre. Some DEA'S seem to have been given the roles without the extensive training so wont really know the full job or what to do. If you find this to be the case contact me and i'll advise you of what to ask them for relating to what I know they can do.

If you are looking for help as you are having trouble relating to your job and think you may loose it this is a "Retention case" for DEA's and you should approach the DEA in the local Job Centre nearest to your place of work and not your Home. The DEA should tell you this though.

I have put a brief explanation as the first post as to the help DEA'S can provide but if you need any further advice please contact me.

Good Luck all


Di

[FluppyPuffy]

Thanks for that Di It could be very helpful for someone needing some work-related advice and help. Hope things are getting sorted and settling down for you

[denys]

Hi Di, glad to see you back

[diane1]

Thanks folks glad to be able to get back on i've really missed you all.

We could do with a chat room so we can just have random chats rather than have to chat about a certain subject. watching other peoples chats would help us through the day on our bad days.

Just a thought for the Mods .

[denys]

private members can be used to chat Di, you dont need to talk about anything in particular you can just start a conversation about anything or general topics if its not personal

[diane1]

Thanks Denys its good to be back again.

[countyfan]

Will be going to see the DEA at local jobcentre on Monday (after waiting for 6 weeks to get an appointment) Things have become more problematic at work, as we are being taken over by another private company. Although the current HR director says not to worry, I can't help feeling that if redundancies are going to be required then I will be the first one to go! Not sure how the DEA will be able to help but will go and see nevertheless. Will update you how get on

[shazq]

countyfan.

[denys]

and

[countyfan]

Just thought I'd post an update.
Went to see DEA. Although she couldbn't actually help much she at least listened and said she was prepared to accompany me to any meetings at work with HR. Unfortunately the lab I work in is being taken over by a private concern, so I will probably have to go through the process of corporate health assessment all over again!

[FluppyPuffy]

That could be seen as a problem However, it could also be seen as another chance for things to be sorted as they may have a different view and approach to things that could help you

[ribbons]

I have been off sick since June and will be going back to work on a phased return. I work for the Nhs and have support from Occ Health. I have been into the job centre and left my details for the DEA. They only work one day a week. Im slightly concerned work may penalise me for getting an outside agency involved....im speaking to occ health tomorrow...any advice??

[mufc19]

Hi, Im new to this forum, Im struggling with FM at the minute, im seen alot of medical folk, Ive been on sick now for 10weeks, im starting to feel more stressed about my job as a support worker because I rang my company asking if I could drop my hrs from 25 to 16hrs, one because I was feeling so tired and looking after my special needs little boy I just felt I was having a nervous breakdown, however I was told by HQ i was unable to drop my hrs at the place I was working and would be moved to another supported living home where a few clients where abusive and aggressive.....There is no way I would ever cope with this.......I live in the northeast and would be greatful for any advise in what to do next to save my job

[FluppyPuffy]

and to the forum

It sounds like you need to get some advice from someone who specialises on this sort of area. Do you have a union rep or staff association type thing who you could talk to?? If not, then maybe someone like Citizens Advice or other similar organisation could point you in the direction that could help.

I know that under the Equalities Act 2010, an employer must make "reasonable adjustments" for an employee who has health problems to make their job as suitable for them as possible.

Sorry, I've not got anything else to suggest for you Hopefully with a bit of help you'll be able to get something more suitable sorted out work wise

[Ldyalb]

What Flup said. (I seem to say that alot on here )

There are two organisations who may be able to help you in addition to the Jobcentre, CAB and a Union. They are Remploy and The Shaw Trust; both of them help disabled people to stay in their jobs, or to find jobs if they're unemployed. They should be able to advise you.

http://www.remploy.co.uk/

http://www.shaw-trust.org.uk/home

There's also a service called ACAS, I've not used them myself but they help deal with employment issues and disputes.

The Equality Act 2010 does require that your employer makes reasonable adjustments to help you stay in your job and keep working. When I had time off sick I returned to work on a phased return, I started doing 10-3, then 10-4 and then 10-5 rather than my usual hours of 8:30 - 6:30 and 8:30 - 7:30.

I would look to see if there is a branch of Remploy or The Shaw Trust near you and make an appointment. I would also contact your local CAB and find out how to go about getting an appointment to discuss your rights in further detail. Good luck, hope you can get it sorted out