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Original poster

What can I retrain as, that I can then work for myself privately and set my own hours straight away?

28 replies

BumptiousandBustly · 21/08/2012 12:23

I have two DSs and due to DS1s special needs I will not be able to return to work as planned.

We have a bit of money and need to invest it in me being able to earn money in the future.

Is there anything I can retrain as (even if it takes a few years, part time), where I can then immediately start working as self employed and set my own hours?

I know the obvious one for this (in theory) is counseling, but I also know that the profession is so over subscribed that no-one can get paid work.

I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions?

OP posts:
Original poster
BumptiousandBustly · 21/08/2012 12:25

p.s. I obviously know that if I start working for myself it will take a while to build up a client list - but need something where there is the actual possibility to do this - not something that is so oversubscribed that no-one is actually managing to make any money.

OP posts:
Sidge · 21/08/2012 12:26

Beauty therapist
Osteopath
Chiropractor
Podiatrist
Book keeping
Childminder

sweetkitty · 21/08/2012 12:27

Just marking my spot as I'm interested as well, I have 4 DC, currently a SAHM but am looking to retrain and do something in the future, always fancied teaching but everyone keeps putting me off re tough course, childcare issues, n work at the end of it etc.

Ideally I would like to be self employed and make my own hours or work 2-3 days a week term time only but wouldn't we all

SchmancyPants · 21/08/2012 12:28

Hmm, this is a difficult one. Maybe a beautician of some sort? Hairdresser? My gran is housebound and she has a hairdresser who comes to her- the lady is self employed and doesn't work for s salon, but definitely does a roaring trade as there are not many people offering a home visit service.

Original poster
BumptiousandBustly · 21/08/2012 12:31

Sidge - good list (though child minding is really not for me) but do you know if those proffesions are oversubscribed or not?

For example, round here - as per SchmancyPants suggestion - I know there are lots of mobile hairdressers - so would have to move near to SchmancyPants Grandma to do it Grin

OP posts:
SchmancyPants · 21/08/2012 12:46

Well, it's a nice area if you do decide to move! Wink Why not go to one or two of your nearest sheltered accommodation for the elderly and ask whether they already use the services of some of those professionals on Sidge's list? There may be lots of mobile hairdressers, but are there lots of mobile podiatrists, etc?

nemno · 21/08/2012 12:56

Pet groomer
Pet carer where you offer alternative to cattery etc by visiting pets in their own home to feed, check them over, play with them
Book keeper
Personal trainer/life coach

I know little about any of these other than know people who use these services.

ShotgunNotDoingThePans · 21/08/2012 13:03

Image consultant?
House of Colour have a list of UK vacancies - none in my area, unfortunately. It's a franchise.
Alexander Technique instructor (3 years' training but your posture would be excellent - no aches and pains!)?
Dr Haushka aesthetician (1 years' general training as a beautician first, then a few weeks to specialise in Dr H. A facial costs around £80 - although it's about 2 hrs long)?
A very specific type of massage (fnar), eg facelift massage - get yourself noticed amongst the thousands of other therapists.

ShotgunNotDoingThePans · 21/08/2012 13:04

Curtain/soft furnishings maker?

ilovemydogandMrObama · 21/08/2012 13:07

my business idea: what about childcare for families who don't have family around and are having a baby?

sweetkitty · 21/08/2012 13:13

That's me Ilovemydog Grin

There's so many families I know need affordable childcare for maybe an hour a day after school.

janey68 · 21/08/2012 15:14

I think your best bet is some of the practical services suggested here, like mobile hairdresser, chiropodist etc. Or there's always something like electrician, plumber... you say you have the money to re-train, and I reckon you would do a roaring trade in these areas, particularly among the elderly and more vulnerable who might feel more comfortable with a mum coming along during school hours than a bloke turning up. Or what about house decorating?

I can understand the appeal of counselling or life coaching but tbh every other person and his dog is doing that sort of thing these days, and there would be unlikely to be a paid job at the end of it.

StarlightMcKenzie · 21/08/2012 15:16

There is a national shortage of ABA tutors!

Badvoc · 21/08/2012 15:27

How ladies one train to do that though star?

StarlightMcKenzie · 21/08/2012 15:32

Register on the ABA UK website, give your location, offer yourself at a bargain rate whilst training, - simples! Grin

StarlightMcKenzie · 21/08/2012 15:34

Maybe don't state your rate, but wait for offers.

There is also a website called ABA Tutor Finder that I believe will take inexperienced people for free, as it is the parents that pay for the site.

You can put an add on gumtree that you are interested in training.

Qualities needed are reliability, punctuality, consistency, good data/record keeping and a determination to succeed.

SnakePlisskensMum · 21/08/2012 17:20

I'm just about to go back to my old career full time but for the last few years I have been working as a Sports and Remedial Injury therapist, part time from home. It took me a few months to retrain but I set my own hours and believe me, I could've been full time! I charged £30 an hour, some charge more if working from a shop. I really enjoyed it but was offered an opportunity and couldn't turn it down.
I would go back to it if I needed to in the future though. All my clients knew that I took the holidays off and didn't work Saturdays. It was never, ever an issue.
Good luck. It must be one of the most common dilemma's of parents with children.

Original poster
BumptiousandBustly · 22/08/2012 10:39

Thankyou all for your thoughts.

I have been thinking about things like child psychology (although training probably too long) or speech and language - i don't know if any one knows anything about training processes for them, or how many jobs are out there?

OP posts:
popsnsqeeze · 22/08/2012 11:03

My friend is training to be a lactation consultant. Not in UK, but still very lucrative.

StarlightMcKenzie · 22/08/2012 11:15

Bumps, in that case ABA would suit you well!

sweetkitty · 22/08/2012 16:46

Oh I would love to do some sort ofbreastfeeding counsellor but the council cut all the funding for it here despite it having one of the worst rates of BFing in the country.

AlexanderSkarsgardOhYes · 22/08/2012 17:00

Massage/sports massage therapy. There was a thread on here a while back about sports massage therapy and quite a few people were making a living from it.

slothprincess · 22/08/2012 20:31

Speech and language therapy is a 2 year masters or a 3 or 4 year degree (depending on where you study). There's a real crisis in terms of NHS jobs for newly qualified therapists as posts have been frozen and there's limited funding. So there's probably lots of competition for private clients if you were to set up your own practice.

HTH

Hairtodayandgonetomorrow · 22/08/2012 20:32

driving instructor?

PurpleAndPoppyWearer · 22/08/2012 20:39

Good thread, OP. I'm a SAHM with two DCs and wondering "what next?". Especially as I was made redundant from my previous job in an industry that has since dried up in the UK, so not much hope there.

My latest thought was speech/language therapist. Sounds like it could be right up my street...in spite of the degree etc.

I'd love to be a bf counsellor but my friend is one, she has one of the best jobs around in this area, so I'll have to wait until she retires and nab her job!