Do you believe that CSA is run by idiots?

[Teley]

Or is it just me? (I'm sorry if you work for CSA, but that's just the conclusion I've come to from talking to them over two and a half years).

[WorkingClassMum]

:yes::iagree::yes:

:yes::iagree::yes:

[forbetoel]

I am not sure if it is run by idiots, but you wouldn't need to talk much to convince me. :D

[missie_mack]

I think of them as trying to keep too many parties happy and dont give out enough information or advice. There needs to be a website or agency explaining peoples options and what they can and cant claim instead of running gauntlets and having it passed along by chinese whispers and you having to ring CSA to ask if this is possible and even then you have to hope you get someone who has a clue about what they were doing and all the entitlements without appearing biased towards one party or the other

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[delirium]

I have had no contact with CSA thankfully, but just about everyone I know that has dealt with them thinks the same! :yes: I believe part of the problem is that the staff aren't social work/welfare trained (who are used to dealing and communicating with the public) but rather have business and finance qualifications. I was told by a manager there, that they were really just a collection agency and that issues were viewed from a financial angle rather than a social angle. Thus why I think their customer skills and support stink to high heaven...

[werdxela]

I am not a single mum anymore but I have been dealing with them for 8 yrs and I find them near impossible. You have one person tell you one thing then another says something totally different in the end your hardly any better off information wise then you were before you called.

[OneBabyBoy]

I don't think the people themselves are idiots, I just think they are very badly trained and very badly informed and have no customer service skills or phone manner to save their lives.

I know someone who works at CSA and she is the biggest immature, attention seeking drama queen I've ever met in my life (and she's probably reading this :wave:). SO if that is the quality of people they employ then we're all doomed.

I wouldn't work for CSA for any amount of money out of principle. I disagree with so many of the concepts and the attitudes and the way it is run. I guess I would work there only if I was high up enough to implement change, but not much chance of that I guess.
So much change is necessary.

[OneBabyBoy]

I believe part of the problem is that the staff aren't social work/welfare trained (who are used to dealing and communicating with the public) but rather have business and finance qualifications.

Not even that. The person who I know who works there has no qualifications at all.

[hotpink]

I haven't had to deal with them YET . . Gee, can't wait!

[sam's mum]

I started collecting from my ex through CSA last year and they have been really good. my case worker had to work really hard to get the money coming in for me and she kept me as informed as she could through out the whole process. I also had things that I wanted to do that weren't the way things were normally done, she had to do a bit of running around, but I got things the way I wanted.

I know that there are bad stories, but everything went well for me.

[LilShenanigans]

I agree with Jane a bit there..

I know there are dodgy workers, undertrained and all that. But the people I've dealt with most have been extremely helpful and informative.

My first case worker in particular put up with so much from me, he was wonderful and so friendly about it - and especially so understanding!

[Teley]

I started collecting from my ex through CSA last year and they have been really good. my case worker had to work really hard to get the money coming in for me and she kept me as informed as she could through out the whole process. I also had things that I wanted to do that weren't the way things were normally done, she had to do a bit of running around, but I got things the way I wanted.


So....what's your case worker's name? Number? (lol)
Would be great to chat with someone who has a clue:yes:!

[sam's mum]

no, she is mine!!!!

[Teley]

Awwwww:(... Pp please don't be greedy, can't we share?:crying:
lol

[mumnbub]

Ive never dealt with csa however before I found out I was pregnant I applied for a job with them in the call centre. I applied through a recruitment agency. (I have 7 years experience in customer service including dealing with high end level complaints with a telecommunications company) however I was told that I dont have enough experience (obviously now they mean I dont have enough experience of being an idiot lol) My advice is if you are not getting the answers that you want or getting the run around make sure you write down time and date of call plus who you are speaking to ask to speak to a manager or supervisor remember the call could be recorded so you have that as a backup also if they are adament they are correct get them to send you a letter confirming what was said during the telephone conversation. If you are not pleased with the outcome you can go to the federal government complaint area im not sure if csa is connected with centrelink but you can go to what is called national office in canberra. This doesnt just apply to csa but any other government dept check the white pages or internet. I hope this helps

[Veritas]

I can honestly not say a bad word about my experience with CSA.... they have only ever been helpful....

I also find their website is very useful and holds quite a lot of relevant information....

Part of the problem is that too many people take a third hand piece of information as gospel rather than consulting with the source half of the time....

I can completely understand also why they would have problems recruiting quality staff.... really who would want to deal with a clientele that is probably 50% deadbeat dads.... or women like my mums dh's ex, who is always complaining that she is not getting enough even though he gives her money above and beyond what he is supposed to....

I don't think it would be an appealing career choice for many....

I think most of the time a persons experience with any agency, in any process, can be made easier by doing your research and knowing the process, or at least a little about it, beforehand....

[floggadog]

You think dealing with them on a day to day basis is hard?
Try getting rid of them when both parties want a private agreement.
That took over a year,
Let alone trying to tell them "No we don't want the $5000 we over paid to be paid back by DH's ex." That took another year. (before the private agreement thing).
All I can say is 'Thank goodness we don't have to deal with them anymore.'

[Crazyfamily]

I have neen dealing with child support for 14 years and havn't had a problem. It is all the regulations they have to go by due to centrelink I have a problem with.