Long story short but I'm a single parent to an 8yo whose dad chose not to be involved, so I'm sole carer. I work 3 days a week in a job I absolutely detest. It's having an awful effect on my mental health to the point that my off-work days and weekends are tainted by the fact I've got to be back there in a few days. I fucking hate it 
. It's affecting everything. When I'm at work I'm utterly miserable and want to cry. When I'm not at work I feel like I cba to do anything I enjoy and all I do is comfort eat crap. In addition my parents are elderly, one has heart issues and one has Alzheimer's, so I'm dealing with that. I'm at the end of my tether. I almost handed in my notice last November but a friend talked me out of it, as he said it'd be just exchanging one set of issues for another and he was right - I still need to pay rent, bills, food etc, just like everyone does.
I'm looking into work from home opportunities and I'm wondering if anyone here went from being employed to self employed. As a lone parent I'm the only bread-winner and I'm worried about how my finances would work out. I currently earn 12k and get WTCs and a small amount of housing benefit (plus I get sick pay and a tiny pension from work). I wouldn't leave work voluntarily and go on JSA as I want to work, but I'm nervous of making the leap from employed to self employed, and the effect that might have on my benefits. Would they sanction me for leaving a job, or doesn't that count if you become self employed?
If anyone has gone from employed to self employed, I'd really appreciate any advice.