what would you do?

[hollyatchristmas]

Hi

Here is my situation.

I have a DD who is 8 months. Before I had her, I was working (full time) in a zero hours role, although you never actually got zero hours, it was in home community care.

I split up with her dad when she was 2 months, I've had maternity pay just the basic from the government.

Now here's the problem, I need to go back to work. My mum died when I was 13, she left me her house. I don't live in it as I met my boyfriend when I was 17, but I had some money left from what my mum left me, I bought a flat. Me and DD live in the flat now, obviously will prob need somewhere bigger when she's older but luckily she's a quite good baby.

Anyway because I have this house that is rented out to people I am not entitled to any benefits apart from child benefit.

But going back to work is difficult. I have to do anti social hours. I just can't as even if my baby is in nursery they aren't open nights and weekends.

So I need to think of another job, but don't know what. And I'm really starting to panic. I'm just looking for advice on what I can do, to support me and my baby.

Can you ask a social worker to advise you? i know it has been some years since you have been in care
otherwise a health visitor who would have the ways and means of finding information necessary to help.

i understand job centres dont actually find you jobs. you are left on your own.
how about citizens advice?

I am sure something will turn up I don't have a social worker

a health visitor then

Look Noah honestly I'm not sure what your trying to get at but all I was wanting was advice on jobs, the type other people did, how they got them, that sort of thing, I'm actually not a bad mum even though I've been in care, people sometimes Are care it doesn't mean there going to be bad parents.

A health visitor?! How are they going to help you find a job/ benefits all you can do is phone the benefits people.

Why would OP have a social worker? She's just a normal person after a job

Holly, my situation is recent-since this summer. I really did think that with such a large amount of capital left over, I wouldn't be entitled to child tax credit and I was wrong. I was able to close down my claim for JSA though, which I was very happy about.

Please do call again-and outline everything. Your only "income" is a shade over 5k per annum (child benefit and even child maintenance-although I understand you don't get any is not even taken into account)

well someone to advise, on benefits, child care, job.
you just need a job. but you also need child care, it aint that simple

That's not really under the scope of a health visitor

my health visitor advised me on child tax credits, i was clueless

a health visitor has plenty of knowledge regarding help and support. it is not just help for the under 5s.

but help for the family too.

i have suggested how to get a job, facebook, networking ... a high proportion of jobs are Word of Mouth. get out there op.

Don't sell the house, that is giving you and dd an income, hold on to that as it's a huge asset to have.

They don't.

The only capital they take into account, as I copied and pasted earlier, is things like stocks taken as dividends.

You've been misinformed. And will people please stop relying on Entitledto? It's a third party website and often wildly inaccurate.

Well, I've been misinformed multiple times by multiple people then.

Look saying to me this is how it works makes no difference in the real world. As you can't. And tbh you shouldn't. I've got money it's my choice not to access if I'm shocked someone with 6 figures in the bank can, this to me would make me very worried. But anyway I've just got to keep trying to get a job.

Op that sounds really tricky. Have you had a frank conversation with your employer and told them you can't evenings and weekends? If they're badgering you to work lots of hours they may agree to your terms of child care friendly hours.

Also have you called round local childminders? I have a friend who works in a hospital who has a childminder who looks after the child in evenings when necessary. I'd advise calling every childminder in your local area. Your local council will have a list.

Also I've heard that supermarkets are often very parent friendly as their workforce is mostly part time. Approach them and tell them your requirements and see what they say.

I wouldn't sell the house. It's good security and bringing you income. If you sell the house once the money is gone, it's gone.

I have yeah - they are sympathetic but you do have to do two evenings a week and Saturday or Sunday that's the way it is. Or everyone wants the same. All they can do is cut me back to one evening. The childminders here (there are ALOT!) don't work Saturdays.

I've just had a thought. Some child minders take on an assistant. It's worth calling local childminders to ask. I wonder if someone would allow you to bring your own child when working as an assistant. Also sons nanny jobs allow you to bring your own child.

people don't really have nannies round here lol

You may be able to find a babysitter who could do the evenings and weekends. If they look after the child in your home then they don't have to be registered. If you're minimum wage I guess that wouldn't work though as you'd lose money as your salary would be less than the childcare.

What about doing some equity release on the house? To tide you over until you get the 15 hours free childcare when she's 3.

Have you actually said to your employer that you can't come back unless they agree to those terms?

I have yeah. Like I say it's one of those, if they let me off with it then everyone expects the same treatment.

I'm not sure what equity release is but don't want to be messing with the house. Realistically even if at some point in the future I go to collage I'm always going to struggle. I'll be a single parent and have to pay for some form of childcare for at least the next 10 years maybe a bit longer. I need to keep the house.

What advice were you looking for out of interest?

Jesus, you're complaining that you can't get benefits because you own a property that you're renting out? Benefits are there for people in desperate need, not for people who own assets that they could sell to support themselves! Sell your house, get some money, and you'll won't need benefits!

I also don't see why you "have" to work unsociable hours. In your previous job maybe, but why can't you work in a different field?

What about joining NHS Professionals? Its like the 'in house' NHS agency for nurses and care workers. That way, you can pick your shifts, as you are not tied to any particular ward or department. You might want to just do early shifts - you won't be committed to a rota or anything, you just pick shifts to suit yourself.