maternity and redundancy

[marthamydear]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone could advise me please? I was made redundant from my job in September this year. I was told by employer in March. I understand that my job is redundant. (I'm a Nanny, and the hours were cut from 45 hours to 12 hours a week)
I have been on SMP since April (DS born April) and my SMP ends in December.
I am applying for Nanny jobs where I can take my DS with me to work in January.


I am actively looking for work to start in January 2012. I do not plan to be a SAHM (can't afford it)

If I am unable to find employment in the New Year, would I be eligible for any support? What would the support be? Would it just be child benefit that I claim now?

That would mean I would only have around £90 child benefit per month as from January 2012.

I'm concerned with the current downturn, that it maybe difficult for me to find a position.

As I haven't got my old job to return to, do I have the same rights as someone that has been made redundant (and hasn't had a baby and taken Maternity?)

I have been told I may be entitled to job seekers allowance or some other benefit as I am actively looking to go back to work.
However, I am only applying for jobs where I can take my son along to work with me (and take a salary cut)

Would that be seen as being fussy and not actively looking for work??
This is so confusing... ACAS couldn't advise me.

Thanks in advance if anyone knows any information about this type of situation.

PS. My employers paid my Tax and NI for a 45 hour week for 20 months (length of time at my last job) Not sure if that's relevant, but I'm hopeful that it may make a difference :)

[hairylights]

It sounds like you are eligible for job seekers allowance but you will be expected to take any suitable job which means basically any job, even if it's not a nanny job, or if it's a nanny job which you can't take your son to.

Otherwise the state is paying for you to be a sahp, which it won't do.

[flowery]

Acas wouldn't be able to advise you as this isn't an employment law situation, it's about benefits rules.

I don't know about benefits really either. I would imagine if you are actively looking for work you would be entitled to JSA but I agree with hairy I think it's unlikely they'd allow you to be so fussy as to refuse to consider anything where you can't take your child with you. Bottom line is if you don't want to put your child in childcare you either need to be an SAHM or, assuming you have a partner or the baby's father is around,work opposite hours to him, unless you are very fortunate and do find a job where you can bring your baby.

How about nurseries? You could presumably bring your baby with you if you worked in a nursery.

I don't know what if any benefits you'd be entitled to if you decided you either weren't going to seek work at the moment or weren't eligible for JSA because of the restricted work you are prepared to consider. Have you looked at //www.entitledto.co.uk ?

[marthamydear]

Thank you for your replies.