What jobs/ companies are good for single mums with no family support?

[EmilieElephant]

Hello, am new here!

I have been out of work for nine years - I have an older child on the autistic spectrum and just as my child was starting at school, i had another baby, now a toddler. They are 9 and 2.

We are doing fine on benefits - we get DLA, carers, income support, CTC etc and it is plenty to get by and even save a tiny bit.

However after nine years out of work -I am absolutely desperate to get a job!!! I can't get a new tenancy, never meet any adults, a mortgage is out of the question.... and it is just a self respect thing. I want to be able to provide for my family.

However sadly my WHOLE family live abroad (i was born n raised here) the kids dads are not involved, and if say i had to take the day off to look after the kids for any reason, i can't imagine many employers being very understanding. There is literally nobody else here who would or could look after them!

The second issue is finding a job with the right hours for mums. I am not at all flexible in the hours i can do - it needs to have hours between 9 and 5 monday to friday and the same hours every week

I also do not drive :(

I am absolutely stumped. I have a degree from one of the top universities in the world, but have only ever worked in retail- as soon as i finished my degree I got pregnant! However I am terrified of getting a "good" job as the employers would tire of me having to take time off for kids constantly, i know there are laws against this but i hate the thought of being resented in the workplace. also i do not get a lot of sleep as my toddler is still often up in the night.

Can anyone suggest anything at all? All I can think of is supermarkets, but i cannot bear the thought of this as the bright lights give me headaches - i have worked in them before and it was hell because of this. Wrking in a school is not an option as much as i love them i don't think i could cope being around kids all day, i tried teaching and it just was not for me.

It has to be 24 hours a week or more otherwise i will be worse off.

don't know where to start. any help appreciated however outlandish!!

Feel SO TRAPPED.
Thank you! Emilie x

[Starlightbright1]

I work as a childminder for the same reasons as you, although you say you wouldn't want the children so not sure that is an option.

[Candra]

You could try voluntary work whilst looking for something.

[puthyjip43]

Universities are great places to work and provide flexibility for working mums plus plenty of leave entitlements

[YesThisIsMe]

Have you looked at non-Supermarket retail? Waterstones for example if you've got a high status degree.

[addictedtosugar]

Can you give an indication as to what your degree is in? Arts? Humanities? Science?
Do you actually need 9-5, or could you start slightly earlier? I tend to work 8-4.
Office work? Admin? I have no experience, but I understand public sector working can be more ameniable to term time only, or PT jobs.
What jobs pop up if you type your degree into a job search site or careers site?

Could you do some training now, with the aim to start work when your youngest starts school? FT childcare for pre school kids can be cripling!

Could you start your own business? Holiday pet care? Dog walking? Cleaning? Avon/pheonix/tupperware type stuff? Would that generate enough money?

[cestlavielife]

an office based admin job is best as you can work from home in some cases and it should not make too much difference if you need to take a day off. whereas if you have direct clients like retail and you need to be on the shop floor at certain times or childminding you wont be able to keep letting them down. look at local paper for admin type jobs eg local council, secretary at hospital, etc .

top degree wont help directly you will have to get entry level because of the requirement for experience... but you can show some evidence of organizational skills thru having disabled child etc... also check if anything running locally in terms of schemes for getting back to work.

[cestlavielife]

also you need to train up a babysitter and friends who can take your kids (perhaps on a swap basis) ...if you getting dla then ask for direct payments to pay a trained person after school.