What is your job/career? And how many hours do you do a week?

[lunavix]

And did you start off with those hours or full time and dropped down post-kids?

Cheers Dot, it's nice to know you managed it, gives me hope .

cathcart - Have a look at doing some IAG or CEG training at Level 2 or 4 if interested. There are going to be lots more jobs advertised within prisons and also outside of prison for offenders, inc via probation and local colleges via NOMS (national offender Managment). The jobs are normally advertised in the Times Ed Suplment (TES, also online) and local press, or on individual college websites. For example, my prison's education department is run by City College Manchester (although I am not in Manchester). You don't actually have to have the qualification to get the job, just be willing to work towards it.

thanks hula - i will look into it when i get the chance (ie when not mn!)

cathcart - I love my job, it can be hard work, physically and mentally, but it's very rewarding, very flexible, but the bit I love most is I'm not slaving away to make a load of money for someone else.
You don't actually need any qualifications to get into it at the moment but eventually everyone is supposed to have and NVQII/III in Care. Almost all employers will put you on this course at their expense once you start the job.
I work for the NHS, but there are lots of private companies too. I'm expected to cover shifts over a 24 hour period (which is how I fit 37.5 hours into 3 days) but not every place is the same, there's lots of part time work available, and lots of parent friendly hours.
A good way to get into it if you possibly weren't sure is to sign up with an agency and specifying the types of people you would like to work with. We're always on the look out for deccent agency staff. Not everyone is prepared to work with people with learning disabilities (fair enough, I wouldn't work with old people. )
The other advantage with agency work is you get to pick and choose what jobs you take so it could be a good way to get a bit of extra cash on top of your 18 hours in your current job.

Sorry, I can ramble on for hours about my job