To ask for life advice

[Revon]

I had my two DC very young with an abusive and controlling man, after years I managed to escape and I really want to improve my life now.

I have a degree which I studied part time to work around DC while working in care. I really want to improve my circumstances, money is incredibly tight at the moment and I am often skipping meals because my wage and Universal credit top up just doesn’t cover bills/rent/food. I am working full time but my hourly pay is low, which is why things are so tricky. My ex partner was really against me working so I never really had the chance to develop a proper career path, I feel like I have missed the boat sometimes.

It isn’t a sustainable way to live long term but I feel completely lost at how to train in a better job or improve things - I can’t stop working to retrain as I need my wage. I am open to doing a masters degree but at a loss about which direction to take.

Has anyone been in a similar situation (stuck in a crap paid job) as a single parent, and managed to change careers to something better which works around parenting? Everything I have looked at online so far requires lots of voluntary/work experience in the same field, which I will struggle to get because I have only done care work.

thanks in advance

You don't say what your degree is in or what type of work you want to do.

How old are DC? How do you manage child care?

You shouldn't be skipping meals. Try and get a referral to a food bank or see if there is a community kitchen near you.

What is your degree in and do you want your work to be something connected to it?

Sorry I should have included that information - my degree is in Psychology.

DC are in year 1 and year 3, they go to breakfast and after school club, and during school holidays they do a couple of days in holiday clubs and a couple of days with family.

I initially wanted to be a clinical psychologist but the length of study before being qualified and hours needed aren’t feasible in hindsight.

Master in Social Work/Probation? A tough year (and job) but interesting and pays ok.

If you complete your masters it can open up lecturer posts which would be great pay and hours.

If you are open to a different career path. Have a look at the civil service. You will never be rich working for civil service but the pay and benefits are decent.

What about a PWP with NHS or a family worker with your local authority.

You could potentially train as a science teacher? Next year chemistry and physics get a bursary of £27 K plus there will be grants for child care.

i know it’s not the most well paid job - nor the most parent friendly.

You would have to do an SKE but I know psychology graduates who have done this and got into science teaching

I’d get in touch with Gingerbread - the charity that supports single parents to see what ideas and supports they might know of that are available to you.

I also think the civil service is a good shout.

Im sorry you are in such a tough spot right now, especially as you have accomplished so much. Can you get some help from food banks in the short term.

I was always employed below my skill
level when I was on your shoes. I began to slowly climb out of it as WFH became more feasible and widespread but TBH it was the DC hitting their teens that made the really big difference. Everything suddenly came together.

Could you work towards your original ambition if that’s still what you want? Or something similar? Albeit slowly?

If you're interested in social work have a look at the Frontline programme - it's a 2 year paid traineeship into social work for graduates with a non-social work degree. The first year is a bursary and the second you get a SW salary. I'm not a social worker but work alongside social work teams. The work is hard but potentially rewarding and it's a professional salary.

I feel for you. No body should be working full time and struggling to feed themselves.

As a stop gap have you looked for better paid care jobs? They are out there if you have a look through different agencies, and private care work. Agencies providing home care to people with complex medical needs are a good place to start.(have a look at snap care).

Have you looked at graduate trainee schemes in the sort of organisations you are interested in? I have a new starter who is a graduate trainee, has no prior experience and doesn't have a relevant degree. He is doing very well. Are you interested in the public sector?

With a degree like that you could try lots of things.

Graduate scheme in accountancy, civil service, various big retail companies.

I think the biggest thing is to work out what you like.

I have just had audit and the trainees were both mature and looking for career changes.

🤣🤣

@Pollyputthekettleonha

sorry - that looks like I’m laughing at your suggestion! I’m just laughing at the fact we posted nearly the exact same thing at the same time.

What about becoming an educational psychologist?

salary is pretty good

you can get help with childcare costs through uni

or you can do a one yr PG and become a teacher