Nervous about work

[Fooshufflewickjbannanapants]

I'll start by saying I gave up work over ten years ago when my disabled son was a few months old as we were spending more time in hospital than home/work. He still doesn't manage a full school week and has full one to one to enable him to go at all. A job has come up that is only 2 mornings a week when he is at school. I'm qualified for it and was brave enough to pick up the form BUT they want references and a reason for not working, what do I do? I was really happy to find a little something that I can do at the right time and in the right days but feel so bloody deflated as I doubt my last employer will remember me and I can't just put looking after my son for ten years! What can I write that will justify the time I've not worked that doesn't make me sound so pathetic?

”I took a career break to look after my son who has additional needs and manage his medical appointments, home schooling and care. Now he’s in a more stable position and settled in an educational setting, I’m looking forward to returning to the workplace.”
maybe use the experience you’ve gained from dealing with medical teams, education teams, social workers etc to how you could apply such skills to the job?
I think you need to turn this into something that could bring skills or experience to the job over someone who’s literally been sitting at home for 10years.

Thank you! I guess when I look objectively at what I have actually done, even the paperwork should stand me in good stead (Dla and Echp's are not fun)

You’ve got this!
write a covering letter explaining why you’d like the job, why you’d be good at the job and explaining some of the challenges you’ve overcome looking after your disabled son many of which I’m sure have crossover skills that will help with the job.

put down your previous employer as a reference, it’s a legal requirement and all they’ll probably do is write and confirm you worked there and weren’t sacked as that’s all your records will now show, but back that up with 2 awesome personal references.

ive got my fingers crossed for you but one thing I know for sure is you definitely won’t get the job if you don’t apply and you’ve nothing to lose by putting in an application

good luck

Thank you, I'm filling it in now!

Good luck.

even if you don’t get it you get practice at filling out applications and can start to get your head around things for the future

If I was looking to employ someone I would see your experience with your DS as a definite positive not a negative! Anyone who can handle all of that would be a good candidate! Good luck!

Handed my application in! Feel sick but I'm not expecting anything this time, just a practice for next time!