relationship with IP

[moretolife]

i soooo wish i had found this forum before we started our IVA and now that i read the posts i wish we had a relationship with our IP like those described on here....the good ones that is.!!!!

we only ever spoke to our IP ONCE and that was the call which said we had been approved...everything else was done by letter....never had a face to face...were never asked to have one

at first annual review we just had a letter asking for I and E etc....then another letter to say all fine...there were no changes etc

then only by chance i mentioned his name on here and melanie said she thought he had left the group he was with....so 2 weeks ago i wrote to them asking....no reply...last week i emailed them .....no reply....so today my OH rang and asked what was happening...

sure enough ...he has left!!!!!....and we were given the name of new IP....but only got to speak to the "case worker"....cant believe we found out only by chance through this forum...dont they have some kind of obligation to let people know that there are changes to the person who is in effect in control of a huge part of their life??!! and if we hadnt rang were they ever going to contact us??

do others have "case workers"...is it a bit like a hospital....where you are under a consultant...but see his residents etc???

i have to admit that when i read of others...here on forum...who laugh and joke with their IPs and read posts from melanie that actually "care" about their life...i do get even more anxious about the next three years...

[MelanieGiles]

Hi there

There is nothing wrong in dealing with a case worker, so long as they look after your case and can refer things that need to be referred to the IP when they need to. I have a team of great staff who work with me on a daily basis, but they know what they can ably deal with, and what needs to be brought to my attention - and hopefully that works well. There should be no reason why this cannot be replicated in a larger organisation.

[rockstarloz]

I have to say I have never spoken to my IP but his staff are good. They are approachable and god knows I ring them enough! They refer anything they are unsure of to the IP. I am quite happy with them but I am only a month in so we shall see.

[Kazzy E]

Hi tiredoflife. So sorry to hear you sounding so cheesed off, the fact that you weren't told about your IP seems very unfair.

With regards to the 'caseworker' question. I had a lovely letter from my IP's office, it was my caseworker introducing herself to me and hubby. It gave me all the information I needed and also a contact name to send any correspondence that I now receive regarding my IVA (credit card bills etc, etc.) It included two email addresses to contact as well, but I was assured in the letter than if I ever need to speak with my IP directly, she is always available to be able to speak to us. So there you have it, we are VERY lucky to have been blessed with a great firm and I feel totally confident that my next 71 months will be taken care of professionally and fairly.

When I first joined the forum back in May, I knew nothing about IVA's, IP's, OR's or even blooming OH's, but thanks to our fellow forum buddies and great recommendations, we were directed to our IP without any doubts that they were perfect for the job. We haven't been disappointed at all.

Hope you manage to get yourself sorted and that the next three years are stress free.

Take Care

Kazzy x

[plasticdaft]

I can email my caseworker during office hours and so far have always had a reply within minutes.

[kallis3]

I've emailed our case worker today, still waiting for a reply, so we'll see how long he takes to reply.

[pixie]

contact with your actual ip!! A caseworker!! Gosh how the other half live [:0]
I have a generic email address wich can be read and answered by any tom dick or aunt sally [:D] I hate that my personal details can be read by anyone. I'd much rather speak to one person.
Apparently it takes teams of people to look after and ignore lil old me [:I]
Sorry, just fed up with the total lack of care and communication with mine!
For anyone just starting the journey, I would recommend going with a company that treats you as a person not just a number. Even a number would be a start....

[moretolife]

it does seem ...reading the posts...that its a bit of a ,lottery...not just with who you are actually with.....but who actually deals with you...

i think i am just a bit of a worrier anyway.....the IVA is up...running and so far we havent had any problems.and we are 23 months in ..so maybe i should try and relax and just let life happen...

[Kazzy E]

That's the spirit tired, if you are nearly two years in, I wouldn't worry. You're obviously doing something right. Keep your chin up and try not to worry - my family laugh at me, they say I worry about worrying and they are SO right! Get some chocolate - that solves everything doesn't it girls? Kazzy x

[kallis3]

Chocolate mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm[:D][:D]

[Kazzy E]

My mouth's watering AGAIN, that's talking to Viki about Maltesers! Kazzy x

[moretolife]

cant do chocolate anymore...that woman from lidl might still bestalking me!!!...she may even be on the forum...watching my every move....

me ..paranoid.!! never....

[kallis3]

That's a scary thought!!!!!

I'd eat a chocolate bar just to annoy her![:D][:D][:D]

[aguise]

We have case managers and they have been great so far. My only gripe is that they do tend to change rather frequently. We have had three in 18 months, all great and friendly and no complaints but I just get used to them and then they disappear.

Ang

[Kazzy E]

Yep, a mighty large bar, all to yourself. Don't give anyone a bit, not a square. She's coming to get you............