Is it financially worth it to go back to work?!

[chwedl]

Having worked full time as a teacher and then in admin all my life I've enjoyed a full time wage for myself. However my last post was only a temp post and then I had my son. I'm a single parent and haven't worked since my son was born. He's now 20 months old. I've searched for jobs and had interviews but nothing came of it. Until last week I had an interview for a part time job and it's looking likely that i may get it. I've used the tax credits calculator to estimate what childcare help I'd get etc and it leaves me £20 better off a week than i am now. Is it worth going back for this measly sum? Don't get me wrong I'm struggling at the moment financially and it's no joy having to tell people who ask that I'm on benefits, so £20 a week would help a bit, but not much. Also he'll be starting nursery school in September and therefore for the 3 days that i would be working I'd need the childminder for 2 hours less each day. Would this be reflected in the amount I had to pay her? Does anyone have any experience or advice here? I'm so confused!!!

I would take it because the government are tightening up and changing entitlements. Better to take a part time job and still get to spend time with your ds than being forced to take a full time job and struggle.

Also with more recent employment and experience you are more likely to apply and get other work in the future IYSWIM

Perhaps you could look at a day care nursery that does EYFS vouchers instead of a childminder?

Ask the childminder about her policy.

I would ask myself where I want to be in the next few years...still claiming benefits? Working? What sort of example do you want to set your son? What opportunities will this job bring? Sounds like it would build your self estemm and a slight boost to the finances. Your son will be at nursery and soon at full time school. Go for it!

Also, look at the jobs market at the moment...wow, you've found a job in difficult times. What would happen if you let it pass you by? Sometimes you've got to take a leap and see what happens. Good luck.

Thanks guys. yeah having thought about lastnight it seems I'd be crazy not to take it! Not only will my son get to socialize with children his own age, I'll get to focus on a goal for me and get my foot back on the working ladder. And moppetymum, very true, I'm very lucky to have found a job in these difficult times. So I'm seeing it as a major positive!! Thanks again guys!!

The prospect of leaving the security of benefits (don't expect benefits to be secure for long!) is a daunting one. I was unemployed and claiming benefits as a single parent 1996-2000 and although I was very grateful for the help I received, I hated how it made me feel. When I went back to work I was about £20 per week better off (I felt like a millionaire!) and it did my self esteem no end of good which had a positive effect on my daughters. I was happy to be paying tax again, to pay for my children's meals and uniforms - and I still got free prescriptions. I can't understand those that say they'd only be so much better off! If you are so much better off you are better off not worse off! That's good isn't it?

The prospect of leaving the security of benefits (don't expect benefits to be secure for long!) is a daunting one. I was unemployed and claiming benefits as a single parent 1996-2000 and although I was very grateful for the help I received, I hated how it made me feel. When I went back to work I was about £20 per week better off (I felt like a millionaire!) and it did my self esteem no end of good which had a positive effect on my daughters. I was happy to be paying tax again, to pay for my children's meals and uniforms - and I still got free prescriptions. I can't understand those that say they'd only be so much better off! If you are so much better off you are better off not worse off! That's good isn't it?

I'm supposed to be going back to my part time job in a month. I will have to pay £400 per month for the privilege!! It's not going to happen. Unless anyone can tell me there's a way?.... I don't want to come out of the jobs market for all the reasons already stated by moppetymum et al. Childcare will cost £1200 plus the after school club at £6 per hour. Wages are £700. Tax Credit and Child Benefit pay for food. Hmmm. It does seem a bit hopeless.

Are you not entitled to tax credits towards childcare costs?

Can you change your hours to reduce the childcare bill - £1200 seems steep for part time childcare?

i was told by the tax credits people you weren't eligible unless your household income was something like 21K or under? Maybe i've got my wires crossed and should re-enquire? I already do only three days a week, and yes I know it's pricey but I have twin boys you see... Do you think a childminder would come in at less than £700 per month for 3 days? appreciate any input as I'm a bit stumped myself.

I would def try a childminder.

Your best bet is try the on-line calculator entitledto.com (I think) I would be very surprised it you don't get anything towards your childcare

You need to enter your details as if you were working etc and don't forget the childcare for you older child as well - just average it out as a weekly amount for each of them.

ok will do that's a great steer thanks. Good luck to the OP sorry if I hijacked yr thread

Actually our income for this year was about £30k and we have 3 children and use a small amount of childcare and we get a little help towards those costs?

Check if your employers do nursery vouchers. You pay for them from your salary before tax and NI are calculated so your tax and NI are calculated on a smaller amount, IYSWIM.

You def need to find out if you will be entitled to childcare element of CTC - if you are then don't use childcare vouchers. Tis all very complicated.

If you're not going to get the childcare element of CTC then def use childcare vouchers if your employer does them.

righto cargirl. bit despondant about it all. have made list of possible things i could do from home. o to be ambitious businesswoman type person. at least would understand tax credits then

I live in an expensive area and Childminders are generally £6 per hour per child, some over a slight 2nd child discount?

have made a little list of things I could do instead of going back. pet care service. a franchise. craft sessions for little girls. flute tuition. proof reading. am definitely thinking now of not going back - from past experience I know that it's sometimes when you are forced to change something and make a decision that the best things happen in life.

chwedl It has been said further up the thread but I wanted to re-iterate.

The value of going back to work now is greater than the £20 you are better off. Statistics show that those who do not take extended time off are better paid in the long term. You will also benefit from the opportunity to have an improved pension provision. Your DS's childcare costs will decrease significantly in another year and a half when he gets 15 hours free childcare and again when he starts school.

Put half the extra money in a money box in your kitchen and when you have been back to work for a while, take some out and blow it on a treat for your self (and if you are feeling generous, for your son too!!)

Put a picture of something you are aiming towards up somewhere up in your house (maybe a picture of a holiday when your DS is older, some new clothes or something for the house that you can't afford now) to remind you why you are working.

Good luck - it's never an easy choice to make but you and your son will be both better off in the longer term.

I took a 6 year career break and yes in the long run it has had a very negative impact on my career I've ended up returning to a job that isn't "me" and opportunities being blocked.

I was very depressed/verge of a nervous breakdown hence why I went on career break had I not been struggling so badly I would regret that decision even more.

Have only read the OP so apologies if anybody has mentioned this already.

Is it worth it going back to work? YES, and 100 times YES. Because lone parent support stops now at 7 (you will be passed to JSA at that age). Now, try to find a job with a 6 year gap since the last one and I can positively tell you you are going to find it harder than nowadays.

Bear also in mind that Tax Credits stop completely once your child is 16. Would you be able to live in the meagre JSA at that time. I can assure that if you go back to work now, you will have hopefully a nice income to keep you above the water even if you have no more help from TC/Benefits. And again, how likely is it to find a reasonably paid job after you have been out of work for 15 years?