Universal credit

[Terri992]

So I want back to work two days a week, and it’s been new owners that have taken over before I went back. I’ve been back a few months now after maternity. And I can’t cope it’s an absolute shit hole, we’ve too many kids and not enough staff we’ve two staff leaving which haven’t yet been replaced, but keep taking more kids on and we’ve quite a few SEN children which we can’t support due to only having 3 staff to 26 children and 2 of them being severely autistic who both need 1-1. I can’t cope with it anymore it’s stressful understaffed and just ridiculous tbh. What happens if I was to hand my notice in? My son is 16 months what do I say to UC? I can’t do it anymore 😭 I feel like I’m going to explode everytime I’m there and just lose my shit. I’ve been applying for jobs but not been successful. I’d rather leave now before I get stuck there and can’t leave 😩

Bumping for you. Sounds very stressful!

You have to be very careful op ..if you leave you could get sanctioned. You need to seek advice first from citizens advice on what is a reasonable and accepted reason to leave that will be accepted by universal credit.

I don’t think you get sanctioned if your child is below a certain age, either 2 or 3? There’s a few universal credit Facebook groups that have very knowledgeable people on them.

You don't have to work until your child is 5 as far as UC are concerned. Tell them you've found that the job just isn't feasible when also parenting a small child so you are taking a career break.

No, this is not correct. It's 3, not 5. Used to be 5 under tax credits but it changed a while ago with UC.

She won't get sanctioned with a child under 3. There is no expectation to work with a child that age, but she would have to show she is taking steps to prepare for work.

Apologies, I did check my info first and took it directly from the government document "Universal Credit and your family" so clearly they have not updated their own advice documents!! Not sure why that would surprise me though, sending me UC information that's incorrect is fairly standard!

This about sums it up. I'm a long term claimant so it's pretty much seared into my brain at this point 😂 been through tax credits and UC.

You should not be sanctioned as you are not required to be working or looking for work. Assuming you are the main carer you will be in Work-focused interview group

You have to go to regular meetings with your work coach
Work related activity groups

I'm also long term, but my youngest is 16 so I'm a lomg way past those parts 🤣

Maybe get another job rather than saying anything to UC? Completely your choice how you choose to structure your working life but you shouldn’t be expect to be subsidised not to work?

She said she is trying to get another job but she's perfectly entitled to quit and claim UC under the guidance whether you like it or not.

Excuse me I’ve worked for the pass 12 years straight out off college and never been out of a job, so don’t start acting like I’m a scruff that just wants to sit and home not the case at all. I don’t want to not work I’ve applied for jobs I’ve applied for a school teaching assistant but looks like I wasn’t successful. I can’t stay there while I look the place is falling apart and I’m not getting the blame because it’s a shit show when ofsted fail them, not my fault they take kids on but don’t bother about getting new staff, she knew we was understaffed and did nothing now 2 are leaving and no one’s applied for the jobs. Which now leaves us way understaffed with too many children and not enough staff, I’m not stressing myself out for someone who only cares about money just to please someone like you! So don’t even start mate!

I just don’t think it’s okay. I’m a lone parent who has always worked; even when I’ve had to juggle school exclusions etc due to SEN. Public finances are stretched and there’s not enough support for people who need it; I’m not okay with people who can work choosing not to. That’s my viewpoint.

Right. But you don't make the rules, so you don't get a say.

I would ensure there is proof that you’ve raised unsafe practice with the owners then leave.
You will have more time to find another job when you’ve left - it sounds very stressful.

Oh go away I still get the same UC I get anyways working or not because I’m single, I still get free NHS help etc because I’m single makes no difference if I work or don’t at the minute, I’ve paid my tax’s and council tax. I’ll be looking for work even when I don’t have to so don’t start hun 😂 not my fault they allow people in from other countries take it up with the government!

You don’t get free NHS because you are single. To get free prescriptions or dental you have to earn less than about £8000 a year. That poster is being an idiot about UC though.