work focused group session ? ESA assessment phase.

Hi all,
My friends son applied for ESA 15 weeks ago and has had no f2f and is still on assessment amount.He is suffering ptss plus other anxiety depression problems and was told to claim ESA by his JSA advisor due his deteriorated health.Today he has received a letter plus appt.day and time to go to "work focussed group session to assist him to look for work straightaway or to help him think about going back in to paid work.spaces are limited ,so you will be unable to bring anyone with you "
Thank goodness he is not living on his own!
I have seen about people being invited to interviews whilst in SG but still in assessment phase.In his form it states cannot cope on his own or communication with others and would be detrimental to his health to do so.go stated on fit note severity of condition.
This is a printed letter with name ,address and details added by hand so not just computer generated.

So is this acceptable? Is it allowed?His mom is going to phone job centre Monday buy have you heard of these groups sessions and can he refuse because on reading it he became almost suicidal and his mom is really worried. Typical to arrive on a Saturday! Any help I can pass on would be very much appreciated.
S

Hi
His mom phoned up and explained his problems so they agreed to cancel it
Hope that helps anybody else getting one
S

Same letter different date!

My friends son received another letter exactly the same as the last one with all his details handwritten but with 2nd copy handwritten in red ink at the top.

I listened into his moms call in which she stated that it had been agreed to leave it a few months.

When questioned further the advisor told her that new advice had come to them that ALL ESA claimants will be contacted over the next 3months to initiate help or training and support to get the majority learning, training or into some kind of work!! Gulp!

She pushed further and asked why she hasn't heard of this she was told that the office concerned (one in the west midlands) has been told to implement this from the 2nd March and to use group sessions to apply to as many claimants as possible as quickly as possible.They said this should help more people quickly to regain some quality and purpose.

Is this just one office trying this or its this going on everywhere?

Thanks in advance Steffi

Hi Gordon

His mom had to wait for a call back as advisor gave all the above info but couldn't work out if mandatory or not.They phoned back to say that none of these are mandatory and they are just an offer of help so he does not have to attend.They did agree the wording suggested differently.They will send them to him monthly to see if he feels like attending.
Thanks S