Pros
* Supportive, with lots of resources and training *Highly flexible in changing working hours and pattern (but most people will always end up working several unpaid hours per week) *People generally approachable and willing to help, but advice is often contradictory, rescinded or changed last minute *Good job for someone who is very resilient, highly adaptable to constant changes, but is able to do as they are told without questioning , enjoys form filling, can stay confident in their abilities in the face daily (often several times in a day) criticism, and nit picking, and having their clinical decisions micromanaged. *As much as I sound a negative Nancy I did pick up some valuable insights and skills doing this job, and there are opportunities within the company for those who feel this is for them, but I would not enter this particular job role lightly.
Cons
*No voice as a DA what so ever, shut up and put up *Inconsistent and constant critical evaluation will severely damage confidence and mental state of most people, advice give is often difficult to follow and implement as its given by a different person on every report. *Strange contradictory idea that you are solely responsible for the report when evaluated by DWP but you must implement all changes recommended by Capita, but then if they are deemed incorrect by the DWP it's still your responsibility, because you should have know to challenge the advised changes? *Forms for every thing, usually very lengthy, and you never really have time or energy to bother due to the work load. *Difficult to see what are major changes vs minor considerations in report writing auditing. Often leaves you feeling you are performing worse that you probably are. *Very difficult, mentally exhausting job *Expected to be working lots of unpaid over time *No check built into the system to allow more time for complex cases. *Expect unrealistically high bar for what would be 'gold standard' report (outcome is entirely dependent on the type of claimant and who is grading your report, rather than own skill) *No account of other variables in report writing, such as claimant being inconsistent or struggling to provide information, you will be penalized for this. *Time given to assess and review information is way too short to gain a comprehensive understanding in most cases *Hard to tell whether Capita or DWP make the job untenable for most people, as Capita will blame the DWP for issues or changes that cause difficulties or hardship to their DAs *Be prepared to feel like you are losing the plot.