Zero hours contracts, struggling

[Isisavisloren]

I've worked in care homes previously but don't want to anymore because of the constant pressures to pick up extra shifts and made to feel bad if you can't. Obviously not all homes are like this, however many have staff doing 6x 12 hour shifts a week, if not more. Also find they can be quite bitchy and cliquey.
Anyway, I've changed to domiciliary care which I really enjoy apart from the hours. At least in care homes you get guaranteed hours. I was with one company and could easily get 40 hours per week. I changed to bank staff to fit around my other job, but now I only get anything from 5-15 hours per week. My other job is term-time only and I'm not paid during the holidays.
So anyway I've signed up to a second home care company. Despite being told there would be lots of hours, it's the same, I'm averaging around 20 a week max.
I'm also with a healthcare agency but it's getting hard to manage the 3 jobs. This new care company seems to take on lots and lots of carers to ensure all calls are covered, which I get. However the carers who've been there longer tell me they're on over 40 hours per week. I told my new company I am available every day, but still only getting 20 ish max.
Plus, if clients cancel with more than 24h notice as is their right, we lose that pay.
Yesterday, they sent me out for 1h30 worth of work, there was almost no point. They said they had nothing else.
It's frustrating and I'm struggling for money until the schools open. Plus the hours can change last minute so it's hard to commit to hours with my other roles (who also can't guarantee!)
Not sure what the answer is, it's my own fault for taking on this sort of work!
Does anyone else struggle with 0 jobs? I've no idea what I'm doing week to week either which is annoying. At least it's just till Sept.

What else are you qualified to do?

I work in education, I am fine during term time but the holidays are frustrating.

It's frustrating that most other staff seem to get full time hours, I guess they're more 'loyal' to these staff because they've been there longer, fair enough. I just wish places were more upfront before you started.

If you're a teacher, how about tutoring in the holidays? Hourly rate would be much better. They're going to prioritise the staff who are free all year round over someone who is only available for 15 or so weeks of the year.

You're right, I do tutor as it happens but all mine have stopped for the summer. I'll see if there's anything else!

I think it's fair enough tbh at it seems like you want it both ways - lots of hours now on the holidays but will drop them like a hot brick as soon as September comes around? Of course they're going to prioritise their long term "loyal" staff, they will need them in a few weeks! There is probably plenty of work if you promised consistency but you can't 🤷🏼‍♀️

Might be too late for this summer but do get in touch with your local special education schools, parents of these kids, especially those with personal care needs often have full-time non-term needs which would work well with your teaching.

You need to find something that is needed in the holidays. Childcare? there will be people who need a nanny just for holidays, and for older kids you won't really need proper training.

claim universal credit 😀

Where I live there is a massive shortage of dog groomers. We have 2 dogs and they need grooming every 8 weeks. We try to be ok as we go for 1 appointment for the next bit even then we are made to wait 9 or 10 weeks. There are dog grooming courses you can do. Why don't you try to learn to do the grooming. We pay £50 per groom each dog. Each dog takes between 1.5-2 hours. My groomer tells me she can fit 5 dogs in a day if she starts early. That could be £250 a day you could earn.

Can't be that simple....surely you need somewhere to do it ...facilities ....insurance etc !!
No ?

I work with them term time only too, sorry should've made that clear. I work with them evenings and weekends, and even then the hours are only limited, so no I don't want it both ways.

Also in case you weren't aware that's how zero hours contracts work, you are allowed to be available at different times of the year. It's not about 'dropping them like a hot potato' I work with them year round. Chill out.

yes but you kind of do. The people they give the hours to presumably work full time all year round? so they will prioritise them, as they don't have to stop and think 'is it term time, is lsisavisloren available in the day?'

The nannying is a good suggestion. Not sure I'd be any good at dog walking! I'll look into them, thanks.

Erm, I kind of don't. You probably didn't think of this but many people work different hours during term time and holidays due to kids. All sorts of reasons.

I agree with @mycoffeecup
All my dc have worked various zero hour contracts. It is perfectly sensible to give first refusal to people who will always take the hours. It is sort of how zero hours contracts work - they are (in theory) supposed to work for both the employee and the employer.

When I do my staff rota the staff with full availability get the most shifts. I have to work to the needs of the business not the needs of individual employees unfortunately. I know it's not fair but it's also not fair to expect hours when you have a very poor window of availability during term time.

@Lulu1919, our dog groomer grooms the dogs in a large shed in her garden. She has 2 dog cages in there and a grooming table. Once they are groomed she bathes them in the large Belfast sink in her boot room. She has insurance but why would that be hard to get if you do the grooming course and gain a qualification? She walks fogs too. One of my neighbours is disabled and she takes her dog 3 times a week for 1/2 an hour a time. The other days people help our neighbour out. I take her dog for a walk about once a week. Dog walker charges £10 for a half hour dog walk. She takes 2 or 3 dogs at a time too.

NHS bank health care assistant. Literally a million shifts, you’ll never be short of hours.

My availability in term time is 30 hours per week, still quite a lot.
Anyway I will look at the other suggestions, thank you.