Back to Work session #1

Had my first back to work session today.  I'm not sure what the point of it was.
We were told that applying via newspapers is not the best way of finding work (been that way for years) but that the internet was brilliant so were the websites of agencies themselves.  Which confused the ever loving hell out of me.

Speculative letters to large corporations were mentioned (I kept quiet about that one being a waste of paper).  They also mentioned again all of the help and services both they and 3rd parties provide... which I had to question because it was a 3rd party that had sent me for the Back to Work sessions in the first place and I could see myself heading back to see him again; after being told he couldn't do anything for me.

The vast bulk of the hour was made up by telling us of her times 'up North', veiled threats about keeping up with our paperwork and the consequences for not living up to our end of the Jobseekers agreement and well you get the idea. 

Fair enough.  However they then went on to suggest something to do with disability advice, which rang a bell from my Incapacity Benefit days... as in "when you come off IB we'll get you a session with this" sort of which other sectors my skills apply to and how to minimise the issues my medical problems cause.   Good stuff.  So after the session I talk to the person running it.
Then I was sent to reception.
Then I was sent to speak to the wrong person, who went to get the right person.
The right person told me this wasn't something I couldn't arrange myself.  If it hadn't of been arranged when I first signed on to Jobseekers then it was unlikely I'd be eligible for the help.  She seemed almost irate at having to meet the great unwashed such as myself.

I asked her to explain to the people who had just held the Back to Work session that what they'd said to do was impossible.  She reiterated that I couldn't arrange this myself and I once again explained that I was simply doing as I'd been told.  Finally, with a roll of her eyes, she suggested she'd be having a word with them... to make sure it didn't happen again.

Now who here things a) I was just called a liar by a member of DWP staff (again)?  b) she'll actually have that talk to iron out things? c) I'll have a black mark on my record for trying something? d) All of the above?

I'm going with option d here personally.  But hey, today we only wasted and hour of 2 DWP staffers, 1 3rd part vendors and 15 unemployed peoples time (and money) today.  We're getting better aren't we? On the plus side I was able to sign and get out.

Today's "Local" job (according to Jobcentre Plus job point machine) location: Tipton, West Midlands (165miles, 2hr 53min away).