Right - going back to work. Can I ask for advice please?

[Pispcina]

Hi

I have three children and it's time I looked at going back to work. The trouble is it's been a long time and I have no idea where to start. I'm not that good at anything, well nothing I could get paid for anyway - and it'll have to fit in somehow around school and holidays and preschool, somehow, and I have got no idea what sort of job would be suitable.

I realise there are probably a lot of us looking for a similar sort of thing, but would be really, really grateful for any pointers.

The kids are 11, 7 and 2. I have some limited childcare in the form of my mother but she's getting on so can't do a great deal, not every day anyway.

There must be something.

does your children's school have a nursery and afterschool club? If so, waiting until your 2 year old is able to attend there (usually first term after third birthday - although you might be able to get in now if you ask) might be sensible as it will make life easier in terms of juggling.

If not, you will need a childminder. Your local council will have a Children's Information Service (or might be called Families Information Service) that will give you details of local childminders. You will need one reasonably close to your children's school so they can do dropping off and picking up.

Is your 11 year old in secondary school? Able to get themselves to and from school?

In terms of work - I guess you need to look at what's available locally. Local paper? Job Centre? Job websites? All might be helpful for you.

I would also suggest that as you have a 2 year old and don't actually have to work at the moment, it might be worth having a look at your local college for courses that interest you and will help boost your skills and/or give you a qualification that you can use in the workplace.

Good luck!

I was also going to suggest doing some kind of training/course, perhaps try to get something for September? What are the things you are good at (that you say you wouldn't get paid for). Do you have any hobbies or interests or dream jobs in mind?

Thank you very much for all the suggestions.

I hadn't thought of a childminder. I'll keep an eye out for any recommendations.

Ds1 is at secondary and will be able to get himself home I hope by then!

I'm keen to do some sort of course, but have no idea what would be the most useful, or what sort of job I could do that gives me enough flexibility. I'll need to be around for the holidays, no idea what else I'd do with them and 7yo is too old for nursery I think...even if the littlest one went.

I can type reasonably well and quickly though not without looking. Would it be any use or do I need proper typing skills? I have never done an admin job except short loan library work.

Skills wise I'm Ok at DIY but not good enough to do it for a living, Ok at music, painting, nothing at all specific. I'm v good at singing but that won't get me anywhere!

See what I mean - no use to anyone really. But I have to find something.

I have worked in restaurants quite a bit - would they take on someone middle aged though, or do you have to be a student/young flibbertigibbet?

You will need recent references, so it's worth doing a course or voluntary work for a bit just to get that.

If you haven't done a degree then student funding is quite generous for single parents and it will give you a chance of getting something better than just low skilled work. Most universities are flexible with entry requirements for mature students although it's worth doing an Access course first.

Think carefully about working hours/patterns for any jobs you might want to do, I've known women train for nursing/midwifery and then struggle to hold down shifts because of having to do weekends/nights. Restaurants and retail are both hard to do if you can't get reliable evening childcare.

Thank you very much. I haven't done a degree, no - and would like to do one however I'm very worried that once ds3 is about 3, I'll be hounded to look for work and not allowed to do the course.

Not sure how this works.

I'll need to speak to the parents about evenings - might be easier for them in a way as they will both be around.

Why don't you look at getting some sort of word processing qualification (do they still do them?) I often see book keeping jobs looking for people qualified with SAGE, not sure what that is but I imagine you can take a course in it.

I also think that waitressing is long hours for little pay and not good for holidays etc. Have a look on your local council website and see what kind of jobs are on offer and if you think you are suitable for them or could train towards them.

Are there lots of jobs in your area or not so many? Have a look at online forums near you that might advertise jobs or gumtree.

I think you meant your parent could help out, perhaps look at an adult education centre that does evening/weekend courses too?

With regards to holiday childcare there are often holiday playschemes, perhaps there are some running at your school?

Have you thought about a career in childcare? Would it be possible for you to become a childminder yourself??

Thank you so much. Good point about waitressing, it may not be enough to live on and something in the day when two of the children are at school would be better probably.

I'll have a look at the office skills courses round here. There must be something, and maybe it would be more transferable as well, you know, between jobs.

I don't know what the job situation is like here, good point too! Will see what is around and go from there.

I think I'd be a rubbish childminder, so that's probably not an option!

Thanks again.

Hope you get some good ideas. I came across a website a few weeks ago. Cant remember the name of it though! It was a kind of careers advice service (maybe that was its name??) and it gave lots of advice and there were little online tests you did that rated you and told you what kind of work you might/might not be good at.

You could try temping? Even the odd days of work would pep your cv up.

Definitely look into some studying though.

Oh yes that sounds excellent, Green - thanks! I love that sort of thing.

Meglet, that's a really good idea, not sure how qualified you have to be for temping? Do they take people on for very low skill stuff?

nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/Pages/default.aspx

hope you find it useful!