Work for parent with special needs children

[SSS1]

Does anyone know the true definition of 'family friendly' or 'flexible working hours' as advertised by many employers? I am a parent of a child with DS and SLD. I am a professional with 20 years experience in my field. I've worked on/off over the years as i'm sure as many of you can relate to it's difficult to find work to fit in around caring for a school age child with DS and SLD. I have no problem getting interviews but the moment I mention my need for flexible working the interviewers just glaze over. They will not even consider what I consider my special circumstances. Has any one got any advice?

Hi there, no advice but wanted to reply as i had to give up my job in education that i had held for 10 years, due to my sons special needs. My employers were sympathetic but i was having so much time off for hospital admissions and school apts that it became impossible to continue working. I also wonder how i am going to get back into the workplace which i really miss, being a carer is so isolating as you are obviously aware

My son is young still, almost 7. I can't rely on the breakfast club as they state no responsibility for child (his needs render this unsuitable). After school care I tried but level of supervision unfortunately left my son at risk (inadequate supervision for his additional needs).

As my son is so young I realise things may improve, but 'ordinary' before & after school care at the moment are unsuitable for my son's needs so I have to tread water & pinch pennies.

I realise I do have the right to mention my son's additional needs in the employment market & should be afforded a level of protection, I also realise chances are beyond limited.

Public sector? Know its not exactly brimming with job offers at the moment. I had this problem - I got offered the jobs but could not accept any of them. I now work in public sector in a job which has a minimum commitment of 17.5 hours a week. They nearly withdrew the offer because they wanted me to do 6 months fulltime training but I negotiated this down to 2 weeks. DH is self employed so we have some flexibility. I earn less than I did before but have flexitime and as I was overqualified for the job I learnt it quickly. The first few months were hard going as other new people were all FT. But a year in I have outperformed those who started with me FT.

Funnily in my interview they asked all the diversity questions and then at the end I said about DS and how I would have to work PT and I think having made a big deal about how diverse they were they really had no choice but to offer me the job PT. I knew there were established staff who worked from home / PT etc as I had researched that already. I hope to go home based in future - you often have to be in the job 1-2 years before they let you do this. Of course I have been under threat of redundancy ever since I started in the current climate but I don't get anything like the hassle I used to in the private sector.

The other thing that works for us is that DH also works a bit PT - he's self employed so he can choose his hours - but if you have another half who could reduce hours a bit to do some of the childcare that can mean you can have wider options. To be honest we probably earn less than if one of us did a FT career job - but we actually find that although we live on less the fact we both get out to work a bit and share the work at home means life overall is less stressful as we both get a better balance.

My daughter was in a mainstream after school club when she was younger. The LEA funded a support worker so she could be inclusive. Your LEA should have someone like this as mainstream settings can often apply for funding we as parents cannot access. Talk to the manager of your after school club they should have a point of contact at the LEA who deals with 'Inclusion'. Please do not just accept they can't manage your son's additional needs, they have to offer a resolution. If you have one or two LSA's at your son's school who would like the extra work after school see if they would be willing to support your son in after school club. He will have a familiar face and someone who knows and can manage his needs. Will also educate the rest of staff!