Home-carer but want to do something else...

[simpleclock]

I have 3dc, youngest of which goes to preschool part-time. I work 5pm-10.30pm most evenings as a carer driving to clients' homes - DH gets home from work at about 5pm and I'm straight out the door to work, then up with the kids in the morning.

I'm knackered, fuel prices are skyrocketing...we get paid 45p a mile but I can't see this increasing any time soon. Our company does pay us for 'travel time' in between clients' homes but in reality we are not given enough time to get from one clients home to another.

Generally I'm just fed up of the lack of evenings/sleep and feeling tired all the time. I looked into Healthcare assistant roles but they're all 12 hour shifts (7am-7pm/7pm-7am) which do not work around having children (how do the NHS get any staff who are parents!?)

I have GCSE's and English/Literature A Levels but that was ages ago, I'd be up for training to do something, anything! Ideally something that would make paying for childcare to work day-time hours worth it.

Childminder?

Alas no, I couldn't have other peoples children in my home - we have a large hairy dog and general chaos abounds.

Enquire about job sharing or part time roles, for the posts with the 12 hour shifts it's worth a try, for all posts you're interested in, recruiting is difficult.
Try other care settings as well as Residential or Nursing Care Homes for shorter shifts, GP Surgery, Out Patient Clinics, get your CV in. If you have the potential you will be fine.

I do a second job as a support worker in a supported living home for those with learning disabilities. No driving (except if mileage is being paid), lots of different shift patterns and hours, I tell them what I want to work. Companies are crying out for staff, I would apply to supported living placements even if it's advertised as 7-7 shifts.

Or have you thought about applying for a social care assistant job in the council? My main job is a manager of an Adult LD and Autism team, and again, we are crying out for staff. It pays pretty well (compared to carer wages). You could then work your way up to senior, and if you wanted you could apply to do your social work degree paid for by the council.