80% working pattern

[cityrookie]

I've been unsuccessfully looking for a part time job (0.5-0.6) and have come to the conclusion I might have to look for up to 0.8. Which is a better working pattern for 80% ?
5 short days
3 full days and 2 half
4 and 1 free.

I have DC 12&14. One has SN and can't really be left unsupervised for any length of time. Also needs a fair bit of help with school work due to associated learning difficulties. DH can wfh 1-2 a week. Both DC come home for lunch (2 hr break) Commute would be 1 hour roughly, I imagine some wfh would be allowed after 6 months or so.

With any of this options no one can be home for a 2 hour lunch everyday.

So you need before school after school and lunch cover every day as SN DC cannot be left?

That's why I've been looking for 0.5-0.6 as lunch cover is non existent. Before school isn't an issue as when DH isn't wfh I could get the bus right after they leave to get the bus to school, which would get me in for an 815 start.

Ideally a day off is the best option. Saves on travelling time. But as you have to work round the needs of your family its a very individual thing for you.

A 2 hour lunch break with presumably travel either side? I can't see how that will work. Are you working in a school, in England?

The best schedule is the one that fits with what you need. I was 4 days with one day off, now I do three full days and two half days because it suits us better at the moment. With the two hours off (plus commute) in the middle of the day, it does sound like you need quite a lot more flexibility than most jobs traditionally give.

Have you considered moving into something where you can be more self employed? Before I found my current role, I gave serious consideration to getting a bookkeeping qualification. I do understand that self employment brings it's own headaches though, and that it isn't for everyone!

No, my DC have a 2 hour lunch break. They're home for just under 1.5 hours usually. Schools don't have lunch provision where we live and the premises are closed over lunch time.

Can the SN child cope with coming home for lunch to an empty house?

What about school holidays?

I think you might be better on a none UK forum - schools shutting for lunch isn't know over here, so many won't get what you are saying about that.

Random alternative suggestion: do you do anything that a school would employ you for?? I'm just over 0.8 - but get all school holidays off.
We have a couple of shit weeks each term when DH is travelling, and I can't take leave to sort stuff, but all the holidays are sorted....

Wouldn't be able to get lunch by themselves but would eat a cold pre-prepared lunch.
Holidays would be a massive issue tbh.