Retraining as a single parent

[ktellamaescarlett]

Hi
After a very turbulent 12 months I’ve hit a crossroad. I’m 36 and a single mum of 2 they are 9 and 7 currently living with my parents as my relationship ended not under the best circumstances.
I work full time term time in higher education as learning support.
my background is SEN and I’ve worked with children through to adults in a variety of settings. When I left school I left with average GCSEs went to college and did health and social care.
I always wanted to be a social worker but once I started earning and then had children it’s was a pipe dream.
Recently I’ve been thinking what if I went back and retrained. I haven’t got housing to consider but Im unsure whether I would have to do an access course my GCSE Maths and then a degree and how this would be funded. I know I would be well into my forties if I decided to do this but my theory is I will soon into my forties regardless of whether I retrain or not. I receive universal credit as my children go to before and afterschool club. What I want to know is how do you finance your studies will I still receive universal credit. Will I be able to continue to work part time. Am I better off waiting for my youngest to turn 18 , she is 7. Sorry for the long post. Nobody in my family or friendship group have been to university.

I wouldn’t wait 11 years! What do you want to retrain as?

Last question first - no you’re definitely not better off waiting eleven years to start doing whatever you aspire to! It’s brilliant for children to see their parent working towards their personal goals and achieving (new) things.

As regards the rest of your query - you really need to speak to a proper careers advisor who should be able to guide you on which qualifications you’ll need and to point you in the right direction for advice on the financial aspects. If you’re already in higher education is there not a careers service attached to your institution?

Social worker. Working with SEN children and adults with disabilities all these years. I have become aware of how failed they are.

There are quite a few apprenticeship options for SWs which will mean you’re paid (and no fees!)

You can get a bursary to study to become a social worker. £5k a year and then top up £2k for having children, hardship funds and to cover travel costs. You may have to do an access or redo your maths but those can be done online while you are still working. It is possible and it is worthwhile.

I am 39 and hoping to become a social worker. I am studying for a health and social care degree with the open university as I have an 8 and 3 year old I thought online learning may be easier at the moment. Once I've completed that, I'm hoping to do 'step up to social work' post graduate diploma. Which is a 15 month course where you work and study and qualify at the end. Maybe that could work for you.