To think it's next to impossible to find a job as a single parent?

[NoJobsExist]

Im beginning to think it's impossible to find a job as a single parent unless you have family support for childcare or a specific qualification like teaching or you already had the job before you became single? At least where I live anyway.

Every job listed at the moment that isn't something qualified (like the teaching or accountant jobs that have daytime hours) wants fully flexible people, weekends and evenings, or it's shift work with 6am starts or 10pm finishes. Even the McDonald's and shop jobs (i.e. jobs you'd assume would need people for any opening hours) I've found expect you to be able to do any hours. Or it's zero hour jobs or bank staff so no guarantee of getting any shifts if you actually get hired. I've looked at factory work, cleaning, receptionist jobs, admin, retail, order picking, catering assistant jobs, care work...

It's not as if I can train up in anything to get one of the qualified jobs either. That requires money. Money comes from a job. Which I can't get.

How do single parents find jobs? Is there something I'm missing here?

So sorry you are going through this.

Do the training before having a child. Basically.

Is there a programme to get you back on track training as a single mum? Sorry, I don't live in UK anymore. I had it offered to me when I needed it where I live now.

Mind you, I cleaned houses too when needed.

Really hope it works out for you. LP is shit, especially as well as dealing with an abusive ex.

No advice because I'm in exactly the same position. No family support, professional childcare is in short supply and then starts at 7.30am and closes at 6pm. Just about every job I've looked at requires full flexibility. You have my full sympathy and It's a relief to see that its not just me that's struggling.

How old are your kids? Can you work for yourself eg cleaning while they're at nursery/school?

YANBU.

Sadly I think you already have to have a job and then once your pregnant hope your hours or reduced hours can fit around childcare etc.

The women (working mums) get it very good where I am ... can change their days whenever they want, can build up flexi and then take off days during school holidays. But they all were full time before this.

It’s shit I know.

It is near enough impossible especially during the holidays finding and affording childcare

Work in a school? Volunteer first to get some experience and then apply for support worker roles like TA or even supply to get you going.
9-3 it’s ideal with holidays off too.

YANBU.

Many school jobs require you to be there before and after the children.

I'm an employer and support my staff regards child friendly hours. There are some out there.

Dinner lady? Teaching assistant? Self employed? Cleaner? Dog walker? Child minder?

There are ways. Don't give up Op.

I was about to say the same as Bridge. Or volunteer in a charity shop to get retail experience.

Volunteering can affect benefits and can also have child care implications.

I had to work my way up from the bottom. Started off working 13 hours a week in a minimum wage job when dd1 turned 3.

She's now 13 and I have just qualified in my dream job after working my arse off and proving I was worthy of the training and support.

I'm not going to lie it's been hard and i wanted to quit so many times but it can be done.

I would suggest you look for gig work (like cleaning, audio transcription, gardening, dog walking) or gain some qualifications. Child minding in particular may be good for you.

I was nursing . I ended up working as a childminder so I can set my own hours and not need childcare. It is tough.

Have you looked at General admin type jobs in the NHS or local council? Most of those are Mon-Fri and 9-5. They are not the best paid, but they are solid jobs and reputable employers. No zero hours shenanigans.

Same as MinesABabyGuiness
Started off as a part time carer. Loved it and now my son is 3 I'm the deputy manager. It's so so tough but so worth it.

I did, I worked in a coffee shop, then as a cleaner in a care home, not great jobs admittedly, but jobs.
It was quite a few years ago so perhaps things have changed.

Look on tes and on all local schools websites for non teaching jobs and google education management - certainly a secondary school will have a non teaching staff of at least a third the size of the teaching staff. Receptionists, admin, welfare support, attendance officers, reprograhics, it support, kitchen staff, site staff, library, hr, finance, technicians (eg food, art, science) to name but a few. Also look on the local authority vacancy web page for other similar roles.

Have you thought about administration? Office hours, fits in with child minders or nurseries. Lots of entry level positions. Fairly easy to qualify for. Work experience or voluntary opps to get experience also easily available.

Have you got any previous experience at all?

The way I did it was to get a dinner lady job in a special school just a few minutes walk from me. It was initially just 2 hours a day over the lunch break but after 3 months you could start taking bank work. They are always short staffed but I now work 2 half days, 1 full day plus 2 still just 2 hours, plus anything else ad hoc that they need. The beauty being that as I'm casual classroom help, I don't have to stay to attend meetings, I can leave a little early to collect my son and have the flexibility that I can say no if I need to. Also, off the back of this, I was able to get a casual job as a playworker at an after school club and they allow me to bring my son.
I nearly discounted the dinner lady job as it was such minimal hours but if I had, I'd have missed out on a lot more.

I'm a teacher and as a single parent it's still difficult!! If I'd known I'd end up single I would have gone into something that paid shit loads so I could afford childcare. I sympathise, it's bloody hard doing it all alone.

Agree with PP to look at jobs in schools. Try the eteach website as they have some schools jobs on, as well as looking at the websites for the schools in your area.

I think it’s hard too. I was lucky I had a good job before I was pregnant and they’ve be extremely flexible with me since my child was born. I’ve been tentatively looking for something new but it’s really hard to find a job which matches my qualifications, skill and experience and has the flexibility I have now, even within the same organisation. It is hard.

Its not impossible but the way i got around it was by studying. My dd used to go to a surestart centre in the afternoon and i would go to the local adult learning centre to get my level 1 and 2 in care. It took 2 year and dd started fulltime at school. I applied for everything and had no joy. I eventually got a job in a care home they took me on with my qualifications even though i had no experience. I still work there but have changed roles but the hours fit perfecly around school as she goes to a breakfast club and a childminder has her for 1 hour after school. It can be done but it might talk a while.

Yanbu

I had a good career and long marriage. 2 dc later one of which has learning difficulties and xdh couldn't handle it. No family, no child support, no childcare and live in a rural area. I'm destined to long term poverty realistically.