Please help me find a new job!

[Stuck142]

I've recently split with my ex and I'm now parenting dc (2) completely alone ex has no contact. I have some very begrudging help from my parents but this is not long term and will only be until I can get dc into nursery and get a mortgage in my own name when my house sells.

I have taken a job just to get me moved away from ex but it's proving to not be a good fit for a range of reasons and dc is struggling a lot with the shifts.

I need to find something else soon but I just don't know what else I could qualify for that would give me enough of a wage to be secure as a single parent, but also the flexibility that if dc is sick I could respond to him?

I'm qualified in youth work to masters level and I've a lot of good experience but I'm earning just under 40k and now I'm stuck and can't seem to move either out of the field I'm in, or find anything else in my sector in my area at this pay point.

Any advice on what I should be looking for in terms of a career switch? I wouldn't mind retraining but I need to be able to pay my legal fees and uc will only cover 80% of my childcare while I do it.

I've worked so hard in my career and I feel like now I've become a lone parent I'm now having to choose between my child's temporary emotional welfare and their long term financial security.

Have you worked for Local Authorities during your career?
You could look at Youth Justice Service roles, including those in contact management, commissioning and operational management to get above £40k.
Generally flexibility is good, although increasingly hit and miss.

Social work is the obvious career move in terms of relevance but will be challenging flexibility-wise.
As an entirely lone parent myself though - it's really hard.

I have considered retraining in social work. I've lots of experience which I think would stand me in good stead, it's always just been the length of time and the money I'd need to put into it that put me off given that my current role and experience is SO similar.

I do have a business idea to work freelance but I'm not sure if being self employed would be worse or better for me as a single parent. Especially given that there's no other wage coming into the home as a backup if it were to fail.