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Home ed

Find advice from other parents on our Homeschool forum. You may also find our round up of the best online learning resources useful.

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Original poster

home edding single parent

20 replies

redpyjamas · 02/01/2009 16:26

Just thinking about the new gov proposals about IS. I will lose mine next year as my youngest is currently 6.
Does anyone know, would it be legal to become a child-minder, and to 'mind' my own children? That way, I would be able to claim working tax credit.
What are your thoughts?

OP posts:

onwardandmerrilyupward · 02/01/2009 16:32

I'm thinking that HE can be one of the exceptions where the State won't remove your income support? But I'm really not sure about this - there was a lot of discussion about this on the HE mailing lists a few months ago. I'd ask on the Yahoo HE-UK (or is it UK-HE?) email group and you'll get a well informed answer!

Original poster

redpyjamas · 02/01/2009 16:43

How do I get to that email group?
I don't think the gov is making any exceptions for HEers. In fact, it is a subtle way to reducing the numbers of children not at mainstream school.
But I am determined to do what I believe is right for my children, hand-to-mouth or not.

OP posts:

KatieScarlett2833 · 02/01/2009 16:46

HE is sadly not an exemption.

KatieScarlett2833 · 02/01/2009 16:47

However you can still claim JSA as long as you are still available for work for 16hrs per week.

Flightattendant7 · 02/01/2009 16:48

I hadn't heard that they might make any exceptions, I'd be interested as although ds is back at school atm, I'm not sure if we'll end up home edding again.

Be interested to find out. I'd lose housing benefit, council tax benefit, etc etc. Just no way I could work and support us and teach him as well.

onwardandmerrilyupward · 02/01/2009 17:21

The group I'm thinking of is here. It's Mike fortune Wood's group and he seems a pretty well informed cove with some pretty well informed people posting. OTherwise, of course, there's the Education Otherwise Single PArents email list so that would be the obvious one to join because it will be full of people in exactly this (invidious) position.

Original poster

redpyjamas · 02/01/2009 19:14

Isn't housing and council tax benefit still applicable if your income is low enough? I know that being on IS is a convenient way of applying for it because they need no further info. Otherwise you need to fill out long forms to prove your income.

But, does no one know if it is legal to child-mind your own children?

OP posts:

IllegallyBrunette · 02/01/2009 19:16

I can't see how that would work tbh because looking after your own children is not working in the eyes of tax credits and such is it as you'd not be getting paid.

Original poster

redpyjamas · 02/01/2009 19:22

Out of interest, how much a week is working tax credit?

OP posts:

IllegallyBrunette · 02/01/2009 19:24

It depends on your income and the amount of children you have.

I have 3 children and will be getting roughly £58 a week wtc.

Original poster

redpyjamas · 02/01/2009 19:28

Right. I wish they could reduce IS, rather than stop it and reduce us to near poverty. It's hard enough as it is.
If HEers just received half of what it would cost to put each child in state education, that would be more than sufficient. So, I know it is not a cost issue for the gov, but a control issue.

OP posts:

KatieScarlett2833 · 02/01/2009 20:30

Again, you can claim JSA.

It's the same amount as you are getting now.

You only have to be available for work for 16 hrs per week. Doesn't have to be 16 hrs during the day. Just 16hrs out of one week, hardly excessive.

No one is going to reduce you to near poverty , you just have to be willing to take a part time job. A couple of hours each day for which 80% of childcare will be paid for.

Oh and WTC depends on your upper earning limit how many hours you work and whether or not you claim childcare costs.CTC depends on how many children you have.

Original poster

redpyjamas · 02/01/2009 22:34

True, so I could say I am available for work. But it has to fit around home-educating my children, and bearing in mind that I am a single mum so can't go out in the evenings either. If there was such a job I could do from home, I am more than happy. But I don't think they would grant JSA on those grounds.

OP posts:

IllegallyBrunette · 02/01/2009 22:36

Surely though if you say you can't work in the day or of an evening then you aren't available for work and so can't claim JSA ??

Original poster

redpyjamas · 02/01/2009 22:39

Exactly. I can work from home, but that is about it.
If I were working out of the home for 16 hours a week, that is just over 3 hours a day not including travel (longer for me with no car). I might as well send them to school.
It is not that I am unwilling to work hard. I am not lazy. But I really believe that HE is best for my dds.
Just want to find a way round it.

OP posts:

Kayteee · 02/01/2009 22:46

Could you train to be a child-minder and have someone elses kids (and get paid) aswell as your own? Perhaps that'd be a bit much though. It's something I've thought about but don't know if I'm ready to look after other kids on a regular basis. My house is a tip as it is

Original poster

redpyjamas · 02/01/2009 22:49

The thought has crossed my mind. Would be difficult practically though as we have various places we need to be at during the day, and have to cycle quite long distances.

OP posts:

julienoshoes · 02/01/2009 23:48

I know JSA is a very hot topic on the EO single parents list, that onward mentioned. Well worth joining for up to date info.

I'd also ask on the main national lists about home educating and child minding, I know there seems to be a growing number of home educators who do just that.

OHBollox · 06/01/2009 12:32

If you sell Avon and that takes you 16 hours a week to do the admin, package up the goodies, deliver the catalogues (your getting the picture now aren't you) then you can claim tax credits, just say you are self employed and have an income of what £30 per week from something like that ?

rooftop · 06/01/2009 15:57

Its takes some time to become a qualified Childminder.
I know of some Lone HE parents who are proposing to work 16 hrs per week (day or night) cleaning/ironing etc. for other HE parents at Minimum Wage. This will still entitle them to help with rent/council tax etc. A ridiculous situation enforced upon us by a ridiculous system !!!!
If you can't beat them ---- play them at their own game !!!!

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