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Original poster

Working unusual hours/taking children along....

23 replies

stupidgirl · 04/08/2004 23:44

Hi. Some of you might remember me, I used to be a regular, but I've not been around for several months. For those that don't remember me, I'm a single mum and up until recently I've been on benefits. I home educate my children.

Last month I started working as a care assistant 2 nights a week. I'm working 11 hour shifts on weekend nights. I really like the work, I like the people I'm working with and the hours make sense to fit in with the children - but I'm really struggling. I get about 4 hours sleep on the mornings after work and it is just not enough. I'm tired all the time and I'm not sure I can go on. I'm also studying (which is really important to me) as well as looking after (and educating) the children.

But I don't want to go back on benefits, and I'm trying to work out what I can do. I really want to work with children in some capacity, but am looking into any options at the moment.

So, does anyone here work unusual hours? Evenings or nights? Or does anyone do a job where they can take the children along with them (not anything to do with sales please).

I really need to find a solution to all this, so any advice, ideas, anything...would be very much appreciated. Thanks

OP posts:

serenequeen · 05/08/2004 06:49

no advice to add, just wanted to say i remember you (though much prefer your previous name!). i admire your efforts to get back to work given the other pressures you have at the moment and really hope someone can give you some useful guidance.

good luck

serenequeen · 05/08/2004 06:49

btw - i myself used to be bossykate.

prufrock · 05/08/2004 10:02

welcome back stupidgirl, and congratulations on getting a job.
My Grandma has recently died, but was housebound before that, and Mum employed a care assistant to look after her in their home, and allowed her to take her children with her. You would have to find such an arrangement privately rather than be employed by the council, but many councils now give elderly/disabled people an allowance towards their care and let them spend it on any solution that works for them. Another thing Grandma had was care for 1 hour in the am and then an hour at 7pm ish. An agency carer would come to give her a bath/change her and get her dressed/ready for bed. Would you be able to arrange childcare at that sort of time?

sis · 05/08/2004 10:25

Hi stupidgirl, good to see you back - I'm seriously impressed with everything you are doing to improve your family's lives in the long term and hope you find some suitable work soon.

hercules · 05/08/2004 10:36

HI Stupidgirl! I wondered how you were doing.
No advice but sympathy. You have been very busy!

malinki · 05/08/2004 10:50

Hi stupidgirl, can you drive, as I know the next directory are always looking for drivers with own cars/van to deliver clothes locally in areas all over the UK, you get paid per parcel you deliver and collect. Might be worth a try if you do drive. I know you can take kids with you, as my courier brings his granddaughter with him.

enid · 05/08/2004 10:57

Wow stupidgirl (please change your name!!) no wonder you are tired. I think something has to give...

Are you completely committed to HE (stupid question as of course you would be)?

bundle · 05/08/2004 10:58

I was just thinking what enid has asked...maybe you should write out all the variables and put them in order of preference, which one you'd be most likely to give up/postpone in order to give yourself a break - and some sleep!

bundle · 05/08/2004 10:59

and why do you need to take the kids? who looks after them when you're doing the care asst job? can't they help out?

Original poster

stupidgirl · 05/08/2004 12:55

Thanks everyone for the comments so far. There are a couple of things there which I will look into. Yes I can drive, but doing anything involving driving means I would have to have additional insurance doesn't it? I will see what I can find out.

Well, like you say, something has to give - and it's going to be the job, but I'm sure there is another way of doing things.

I didn't mention that the studying is with the OU, so it's quite flexible.

I feel really bad for backing out of the job so quickly (although obviously I have to stick it out until I find something else)

Bundle, my parents look after the kids while I work, but at the moment I can put them to bed before I go, which means they only have them overnight, while they're asleep (well mostly) and for about 4-5 hours in the morning afterwards. They have been great about taking on the extra responsibilty, but I'm reluctant to ask them to do much more. They aren't getting any younger and they both have jobs of their own.

Kepp the comments coming - I'm keen to consider anything, no matter how off the wall!

Thanks everyone

OP posts:

Original poster

stupidgirl · 05/08/2004 12:56

ps, I love the new name serenequeen

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Batters · 05/08/2004 16:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

hatter · 05/08/2004 18:33

I think I've said this everytime this question comes up so am a bit concerned about sounding like a broken record - but have you considered child-minding? I, for one, would find someone who home educates their kids a very attractive, as it were, child-minder.

Jennisaurus · 07/08/2004 19:37

I work as a HCA (carer) in a hospital stupidgirl and I have a baby.

I work on a rotating shift pattern which is basically 37.5hrs working throughtout the day. I usually do a 12hr shift and then a couple of lates/earlies. I work weekends and nights too.

I am married and my daughter has a full time (subsidised) nursery place, so obviously I am in a different situation to you But I do find it hard with the baby, because I don't spend as much time as I would like with her.

I think it depends on how you feel about the job to be honest. I adore being a carer there is nothing I would rather do with my life, but i also accept that with this job comes massive sacrifices.

Nights are good for mums, but not for someone who home schools...I would have suggested getting your NVQ2 at your current job, and then applying for a HCA position at a hospital (maybe in a childrens ward) BUT I don't think thats a practical solution for someone who home schools.

Have you asked about working lates (2-10)? That way you could be with your children in the morning, and still get some sleep at night.

Original poster

stupidgirl · 07/08/2004 21:02

Hi Batters

Hi Hatter, yes, in a word, I plan to childmind, but I need to move house first. So that plan is on hold for a few months.

Jennisaurus, HCA in a hospital quite appeals, but I'm not sure it would work. The late shift wouldn't be enough hours - I'd have to do 3 a week, and that would be too much time away from the kids.

Out of interest, anyone who works in care, what are your pay and conditions like? I think my pay (despite working for Bupa, who you'd think would pay well) is too low, plus there is no sick pay, and only standard pay for overtime, is that standard???

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Jennisaurus · 08/08/2004 15:54

Stupidgirl, most HCAs in hospitals are required to work rotating shifts, not just lates. Carehomes tend to be more flexible.

Pay and conditions in care work are not amazing. In my last job in a care home (a while ago now) sick leave was unpaid, and we were not allowed unpaid leave. I assume you are unqualified (no NVQs in care?) if you are the standard pay is minimum wage or a bit more, about £4.50-£5? We were not encouraged to do overtime (i worked 5 shifts a week which was 40hrs) but if we did the pay was just normal.

I get paid a bit more on the NHS, and have good working conditions, but to get that you have less flexibility that private carehomes.

goosey · 08/08/2004 16:29

Hi Stupidgirl (You sound anything but stupid to me)

I work long 12hr night shifts too and send my son to a childminder on the days following nights. He's only 2 though.
Can you do a deal with any other home educators in your area to do a day per week of teaching eachothers children? That would give you both a day off. You would no doubt prefer the Monday to sleep/catch up.
You are also able to claim childcare tax credits to help with the costs of childcare so may be able to find a local minder who would be happy to provide some additional care on a Sunday over and above what your parents can provide?
I've just realised that Im assuming here that you work sat and sun nights.
Could you change the job to a 'sleep-in' one where you wouldnt be quite so tired? I know that would mean less money though.
Good luck.
Goose

Original poster

stupidgirl · 10/08/2004 20:46

Jennisaurus, perhaps I'm not so badly off after all. It's just I found a job doing the same thing, paying an extra £2 per hour.

No, I'm not qualified, although I will (eventually) get on the job training - if I stick it out that long.

Goosey, I'm actually working Friday and Saturday nights, but I'm going to look into sleep over work. I think I'm going to have to do a combination of things to make it work, but I have a few leads at the moment...

Thanks everyone who's responded, you've given me lots to think about

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Jennisaurus · 11/08/2004 18:38

Stupidgirl do you have your lifting and handeling, first aid, food hygene stuff? If you do that makes you VERY employable. Care workers are always in demand...you could possibly do bank work for carehomes, or maybe work for an agency. If you do put to beds in an in-home situation you can work 8-10 each night...and at a PUSH if you have no childcare you can take a child along once or twice.

Jennisaurus · 11/08/2004 18:40

Oh and I worked out that for my job my salary is about equal to £6/hr.

Original poster

stupidgirl · 11/08/2004 20:58

Jennisaurus, I don't have any of those certificates yet. I'm in the process of doing the Topps induction thing at the moment. Maybe I will ask about the other things and see if I can do them or find out when.

You're right, it would be worth doing them just to give me more options. I'm a bit unsure about home care. My Grandma had carers looking after her for several years before she died and I always said I couldn't do that job. I suppose when it's not a relative it's easier. Maybe I could look into it as an option - it pays quite well too, doesn't it?

I'm earning less than that, but I suppose not dramatically.

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Jennisaurus · 12/08/2004 18:10

I was assuming you were looking after older people SG oops!!

I found it very easy really. Its upsetting when residents die, but I don't know, I always accepted it. It can be a bit yucky, but you get used to it.

Handling and lifting is easy and its just invaluable, well worth asking about, maybe your TOPPSS thing covers it (i don't know because its relatively new !)

Original poster

stupidgirl · 13/08/2004 12:44

Jennisaurus,sorry, to clarify, yes I am looking after elderly people. In my last message I was referring to caring for someone in their own home, rather than a residential home.

I just think there are different pressures when you are caring for someone in their own home, and forjust one person. It must be impossible not to get attached in that situation, it's bad enough as it is.

I'm going in tonight, so I'll see what I can find out about training. Thanks.

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