I'd like to share some info about my situation and see whether anyone can offer advice.
I'm a single mother of a 4 month old baby. The Dad left while I was pregnant. He pays the correct amount of maintenance. I have a job paying £45k including bonus, in a major city. I will have to give the job up once maternity pay runs out (staying is not an option). I have considerable savings and am not entitled to any benefits, except Child Benefit, plus Working Tax Credits as and when I work. I don't own my home, I rent privately. I don't drive (yet). I don't have any debt. I have very limited family / friend support when it comes to the baby (no free childcare).
With these parameters, I've approached the local job centre, hoping they might be able to help me figure out how I could get a new job and balance the income/childcare and make ends meet. They told me it's not their job to do this (I met their lone parent adviser) and couldn't help me once I told them I wasn't entitled to benefits (looked at me as if to say what are you doing here).
So, is there anyone else in my position (after this long-winded explanation, I basically mean single mum but not entitled to any benefits, and needing to work full-time) and if so, is there any advice you can offer? I'm prepared to move anywhere to work, if that means financial security. Is there any location in the UK that works out best for finding work, as well as balancing work and childcare costs? I've looked at Dubai as an option, as you can have a full time live-in nanny out there.