Redundancy - job hunting - ideas for professional but flexible working?

[Asterias]

Hi, I'm being made redundant in April after 7 years with my employer. Since returning to work after my second child, nearly two years ago, I've been working part time (doing my same full time workload - I know) on a three day week with one day split throughout the week with no childcare. It was a shitty arrangement but the only way we could afford to live after paying for childcare.

Obviously I'm not going to get anything like this arrangement again! Plus all professional jobs in my area (NW) are full time always and going full time means an additional £12k on top of my current salary just for childcare. And I'd never see my kids ever. (I'm doing a part time MSc so work most evenings too.) The alternative is I find a full time job with a high enough salary (possible) and DH quits work to take care of the kids leaving on a similar sort of income as we have now after childcare. The same applies about no work life balance for me, plus we'd have the added worry of him not being able to get back into professional work and/or us not being able to relocate because of only having a single salary.

So. I'm exploring all options and wondering if I'm missing anyway. My specialisms are in marine science, public engagement with science, and volunteer management and strategiv development. Dream job brings these together doing some stuff with coastal communities. I'm-being-made-redundant will do one of them and not make me want to kill myself for lack of time for family.

Does anyone have any tips for successfully requesting flexible or part time working after job offer? I'm currently assuming I apply for everything and if I get an interview I go, and if they offer I so, oh but you need to totally mess up your idea of normal working for me if you want me. Are they ways to make this actually work rather than them thinking oh well we'll just take second best because we can only see a normal full time job as being a successful format. Is it a mistake to say things at the interview about flexible working? Can anyone recommend job sites that have actual professional jobs that is flexible/home working friendly?

Thanks!

Are there consultancy / freelance options available in your field? Or if you'd prefer employment, are there agencies that specialise in your field that you could talk to honestly?

The best approach on finding part time work varies - I found it worked best to be honest with the specialist recruitment agency, and they would filter out possibilities that were never going to work for me as I was only looking for 3 or 4 days a week. But I have a relatively scarce skill set. I never felt comfortable going through the recruitment process to only announce at the end that I wanted part time. But in other fields, this may work better.

It will depend very much on the organisation. I wouldn't mention the need for flexibility at the interview unless you've done some research and know they're likely to be flexible, as it could lose you the job offer. Then when you have the offer ask carefully as they may change their mind about you. With luck you will get a vibe as to how keen they are on you before you ask. - how much room you have to negotiate.
I was offered a job and I then asked if I could work till child picking up time and then make up the time in the evening at home, which was agreed to. The school had no afterschool care. It means you spend much more time with the DCs.
Maybe you could postpone the MSC for a while? How useful will it be to your career?

I am in a niche part of a professional career and was made redundant. Struggled massively to find a PT role, but did eventually. It was advertised at a lower grade/salary but I managed to convince them it was a more senior role and I would do it for the lower salary 3 days a week.

The agency was on board with this approach though so no big shock after interview process IYSWIM

good luck - it's hard but the dream job might be out there for you

HSE in Bootle are currently recruiting for environmental positions. They offer both flexible and p-t hours?