Finding work as a lone parent - advice needed

[Blueeyes91]

For the past 8 years I've worked for the same company. My role changed over the years there and I loved it. What's more they were great in supporting me as a single parent with no support.

Unfortunately my role was made redundant and now I just feel lost. I don't know how to work and be a single mum (my daughter is 4). I don't want to put my daughter into after school club every day, one because I feel like I'll hardly see her and two because I doubt my skillset will give me a job that pays well enough to do that and pay my bills etc.

Does anyone have any tips for job searching as a single parent without support?

I don’t know how much you need to earn but cleaning is one option as you can do it when your child is at school. Many supermarkets offer flexible shifts to accommodate single parents.
There are various charities and organisations that help people review their skill sets and apply for jobs.

What’s your skill set and qualifications, OP? A lot of mums I know work in schools. If you have admin experience, would a school bursar role fit ?

I've worked 8 plus years in Customer support. Have a lot of admin experience and B2B within that too. I didn't just stay in one place with the last company.

Before that I was admin only.

I just worry speaking to new employers and having to say "I'm a single mum with zero support".

My family are all in Scotland. My ex hardly sees his daughter. So I've no way of getting family support.

With that decent chunk of experience, OP, you’d be well placed to apply for admin roles at schools or colleges. You don’t have to tell an employer your personal circumstances, don’t worry. You can look at your local council website for vacancies at schools and council offices and individual college websites for jobs there. The advantage with council is that you can look at getting a term -time contract or flexible working contracts. If you can, get your CV done with a recruitment agency and often they will point you in the direction of 6-month contacts, maternity cover and so on, too.
You’ll be OK. It’s a bit scary, I know, but it is do-able once you find your groove!
You can consider looking at entitled.to to see what in-work
benefits you might be able to apply for, too.

It's so hard, but now, post covid, at interviews, many employers will expect candidates to push for at least 3 days a week at home.
My kids are teens now but it is really hard, so wishing you good luck sorting it out.

Good luck op! You ll manage

I use after school and breakfast club which I get help with through child tax credits. It’s not ideal as my kids don’t like it but I don’t have an option. I work 3 days and I try to invite school friends over on the days I don’t work (sometimes not all the time) and then my kids get invited on other days meaning they don’t have to go to after school. I can work from home sometimes but can’t have the kids in house when working but at least I can pick them up at 5.05pm as I’ve no travel time. The suggestion someone else made about school or college admin is good. I hope you find something. I wouldn’t make too much of a deal about being a single parent with no support at any interview. Get your feet under the table first.

Also, I’m sure you’ve thought of this already but living nearer your family might help. I still put mine into after school but at least my family get them out of it now and again.

Given you have admin skills I'd start by looking at school admin jobs or board clerk vacancies (which tend to be predominantly home based and flexible hours). The later being more favourable if you can find a reliable afternoon/evening sitter when you attend board meetings which are normally held around 4pm onwards for a couple of hours monthly. You could also work towards a clerking qualification around the hours you work - most boards would actively support this. The pay isn't bad and once qualified could open doors within local government where board clerking is highly regarded 😉

I am also a single Mum (DC is a teen now) and I have been there just like you with no job etc. you seem to have a great experience, and trust me, you ll be ok! Update your cv and LinkedIn, get some rest, and go conquer the world. You ll be fine!

OP you sound like you would be perfect for my job! I’m currently on maternity leave from it and the girl they had fill my role has just quit! Its a customer service operations type role for a tech health startup. It’s completely remote based and very flexible. Other mothers at the company work during school hours, do they drop off and pick up and make up extra hours in the evenings. It’s a lovely supportive team and growing rapidly! Please message me if this sounds like something you would be interested in.

You can do this OP. UC will pay upto 80 percent of childcare but you have to pay it upfront and then they give you most of it back if your wage is low!

Apply for jobs at your local council, NHS and places like this. School hours are like gold dust but it certainly can be done.. I work school hours during the week and I drop off a breakfast club each AM. I do the pick up myself, no family support either!

I hope your DDs dad supports you finically also.

I didn't mention that I was a single mother with no support at interview. Infact, it only came up 8 months in due to the logistics of school strikes.

You don't have to tell them. In fact, they can't ask.