Single parents and retraining grants

[Loobyloo1902]

Posting here although this could also go in the work section....

I'm a single mum with a pre baby career that's difficult to return to (sales, long hours and employer reluctant to do a job share or part time hours) hence the need for a career change.

I'd like to retrain before going back to work and wondered if anyone had experience of finding funding for their training that I could tap into? I'm making an assumption by posting in the lone parents section that more help may be available to me than if I was part of a couple(?)

I don't suppose there's a 'magic' website full of addresses to write to is there? If not, any pointers?

Thanks in advance.

It may depend on where you live and what type of course you wan to do. I am in Scotland, work part time on a self employed basis, single parent. Have just gone back to uni this year on a part time course. The uni have wavered the fees as I am on a low income; DD2 is in the uni creche, which they pay for through uni childcare funds. As I live an hour and a half drive from uni, I also get discretionary funds towards fuel costs. DD1 goes to a friend before and after school (I am only in 1 day a week), but I would qualify for childcare assistance through tax credits if I could find a registered childminder.
If I went full time, I wouldn't qualify for most of this.
I would check out courses first, then speak to the college/uni as they will be able to advise you where to start looking and any implications of full vs part time study on the financial assistance you may get. Most courses that run based on an academic year are unlikely to be taking on new students now (might be different in England?) but that gives you plenty of time to research for next year.