To wonder how to make work possible?

[Nextsteps2021]

Very very single parent of two DC. Oldest is Autistic and lots of co-morbidities. Youngest also autistic but much less complex.

I'm craving going back to work. I have degrees but I haven't worked now in 4 years.

I couldn't find any holiday provision to take oldest over summer, 13 weeks of school holidays is a lot to cover. The only provision that offered a maybe wanted me to pay the hourly rate for 1-1 on top. After school provision is equally non-existant. My oldest is moving to a school that is 8.45-2, 3 days a week and 8.45-1 on the other 2. Not helpful either.

AIBU to think its a bit of a pipe dream? I'm so desperate to return, it's making me really low and I'm so isolated as an adult :(

Sounds really tough. Can you do something freelance?

What skills or qualifications do you have?

Hopefully someone else in the same situation who has been able to make it work can give you some ideas.
You could just apply for term time only jobs. Or maybe a business from home where in summer you will have to do nights? Are you entitled to any extra benefits to assist with the childcare? Or even respite?

Could you get the adult company in another way eg through training or volunteer work?

It sounds tough. I wish you all the best.

Here's a bump for the thread.

Perhaps shift work in health & social care might be able to work as you can choose your own hours as bank staff. Perhaps in a care/nursing home as it's not so much qualifications that matter than it is personality.

Doesn’t universal credit pay for childcare costs (or some of it?)

Could working mornings term time only work? I am a single mum of 4 and work 3 mornings in a nursery term time so i don't need any help with childcare.

www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/universal-credit

Basically if childcare costs are a barrier to you finding work, universal credit can help you

Worth creating an account if you don’t have one

The difficulty I've found with childcare is that what costs my younger son £40 costs my oldest £100 and UC will only cover the £40 element.

We have 15 hours a week respite for oldest but it's very unstable at the moment.

Hadn't thought to look at morning term-time only work. Looking now.

The dream and everything I had worked towards was to work within the youth justice system.

I was volunteering with both the children centre and shelter a few hours a week each but everything stopped due to covid.

Could you apply for youth justice related jobs and then ask for term time only or compressed hours or WFH part time at interview? Public sector tends to be more understanding i have found, plus at the moment most LAs are talking about a home/office working hybrid going forward, so its the perfect time to ask.

Would your (expected) salary pay for a nanny? Not with a Norland Nanny pay expectations, but say, someone who would be prepared to work for aupair+ rates?

Could you get dla for your eldest ?

I work in Education and we have lots of different term time time only jobs:
Teaching Assistants
Careers Advisers
Student Welfare Advisers
Administrators

There are jobs which may be suitable. Good luck.