Universal credit interview?

[EF1620]

Hi, I have been claiming UC since Oct after not returning to work after maternity leave. My husband works full time, and we have a 6 & 1 year old. I will be returning to work once youngest is in nursery. I have an appointment for a review on my job search. What is this going to entail? Sorry I feel panicky about it. This is the first time I have claimed benefits, I have never been unemployed since leaving school. Thankyou in advance!

I'm in a similar position as you, claimed after maternity allowance ended, partner works full time etc. I was also really anxious about my first interview. I've had 2 since my first and they haven't been stressful.

They basically just asked me if I needed help with looking for work, any training that I think I might need and asked me if I had an up to date cv. Because my child was under 2 they said I was in a certain group where they didn't expect me to look for work just yet. (Ofc if I found work I just had to contact them for any help that I needed)

Now my daughter is over 2 they switched me to the next group but again they don't expect me to just find work. Atm for me it's a case of me finding something that suits my family. The lady I spoke to was lovely and understood completely that I can't just simply get a job when they ask. There's other factors I have to take into account now like nursery fees etc. Because I have qualifications and can 'easily' get back into my sector, there was no help they could really offer me at that point unless I asked.

Hopefully you get someone lovely as well but I can't imagine they'll put any pressure on you to look for work right now with your child being 1. The interviews are mainly to give any support or advice that you need

@Effsee

I'm in a similar position as you, claimed after maternity allowance ended, partner works full time etc. I was also really anxious about my first interview. I've had 2 since my first and they haven't been stressful.

They basically just asked me if I needed help with looking for work, any training that I think I might need and asked me if I had an up to date cv. Because my child was under 2 they said I was in a certain group where they didn't expect me to look for work just yet. (Ofc if I found work I just had to contact them for any help that I needed)

Now my daughter is over 2 they switched me to the next group but again they don't expect me to just find work. Atm for me it's a case of me finding something that suits my family. The lady I spoke to was lovely and understood completely that I can't just simply get a job when they ask. There's other factors I have to take into account now like nursery fees etc. Because I have qualifications and can 'easily' get back into my sector, there was no help they could really offer me at that point unless I asked.

Hopefully you get someone lovely as well but I can't imagine they'll put any pressure on you to look for work right now with your child being 1. The interviews are mainly to give any support or advice that you need

Thankyou so much for this reply, you have really put my mind at ease xx

If your dh earns over a certain amount ( I think around £600 ) a month you will just be put in the light touch group and as your youngest is only 1 they won't do anything much to make you look for work.

With a child between 1 and 2 the main carer doesn't have to look for work at all. The only requirement is to attend work focused interviews with the work coach. At the interviews you'll usually discuss what your plans are and how to help you towards achieving them but you don't have to do anything at all off the back of these interviews if you don't want to. Having said that, hopefully the interviews will be productive and you will want to do the activities.
When your child is between 2 and 3 you will be expected to engage in some activities aimed at getting back to work - things like doing your CV, looking at job sites, maybe some training.
Then when your child is aged 3 you will be expected to look for and accept work. You will discuss with your work coach how to fit it around looking after your child and in practice you are unlikely to be asked to work more than around 15 hours a week.

Apologies for the lack of paragraphs - I did put them in honestly!

Thankyou all so much, you have been very helpful. Feel so much calmer now x