Supporting parents Into work..... what help is needed?

[ElBelle]

Hi All,

My company are working to develop a project that supports parents (with at least one child aged 6months - 7 years) into work.

My question is.... what support do you think is most useful for parents looking to enter or re-enter work who have childcare responsibilities?

What can organisations and projects do that would help most?

Usually support includes CV’s, interview prep, work placements/ work experience but what else would be useful?

Have any of you come accross projects or help that was invaluable?

Similarly, if you are in work but would want to earn more (thinking about in-work poverty) what could an organisation do (if your employer is not supportive with training and development)

Interested to hear any thoughts, ideas or experiences.

Thanks in advance x

Jobs that pay enough to pay childcare fees and which are guaranteed hours so that income is predictable.

Guidance on how to find flexible work that can fit around childcare and also those odd days schools seem to expect you to take.

Real support on working from home. I know some employers believe all home workers take the piss but when I have done it I've been so grateful that I have worked my socks off to prove I'm working hard and used a timer to account for all my time. It's an extra 3 hours a day I can actually work rather than battle in on the train and tube. If I can do my job effectively when on a business trip, or when everyone else is on a trip or on holiday and I'm sitting on my own in the office, I don't understand why I can't when sitting in front of my laptop at home in Harpenden.

I'm going through this at the moment. It's so overwhelming. I don't have a job to go back to as I'd been living abroad for a bit, so need to start from scratch. We've looked at some nurseries but there are waiting lists and we can't really afford to take a place for more than a day before we know in doing a job that at least partially covers it. Working out nursery hours and working hours feels like a chicken and egg situation, I honestly don't know how it will all come together some days. With my skills and qualifications I'd quite like to do a teaching conversion course but I don't know if we can afford the childcare, or if I should even arrange childcare as there's always a chance of not getting on the course.

I think emotional support would be amazing, I'm normally a positive person but this is worrying me and I think I've lost some confidence whilst being out of the loop. Everyone advises doing some voluntary work for fresh experience, which is great but relies on being able to afford childcare. We've a relative who might be able to help out for one day but that's it.

Good luck setting up your new venture, I think it's a brilliant idea and much needed.

Childcare support advice on your rights if your child is sick (sitting here with a sick child no money and no heating because no work =No pay)

I don't think there needs to be fancy schemes or initiatives. Just pay people well enough so they can afford childcare.

I'm in low-paid work. My employer doesn't need to get involved in my training or development. I already have lots of qualifications, including a degree, plus 30 years of work experience and lots of skills. All they need to do is recognise the skills I have and pay me properly for them. Most employers just want to pay as little as possible for their staff and come up with all kinds of excuses why they do this.

Keep things simple and pay people properly.

Thank you everyone!

Just to be clear we are not running this project as an employer. We are an employment support team within a Housing Association. The purpose of the project is to provide help to parents who need it and then work with employers to encourage them to better understand how parents are a great asset to their organisations and them to help parents make it work! Many companies say they are family friendly but in reality are not (even where they want to be)

@namechanger22 it is great that you have so much training and experience behind you but not everyone is in the same position and some don’t know where to go or who to approach to get support.

@stringofpearls where abouts in the country are you as there may be a similar organisations near you that I could find or recommend for you?

ElBelle, I suspect your target demographic is not on Mumsnet but will be very low income, possibly without reliable internet.

Therefore, asking here isn't that sensible.

In my opinion, having lived in a HA flat, surrounded by the sort of people you're probably targeting, what you will need to offer is what the Job Centre used to do.

Help with CV writing and printing, help with finding suitable jobs to apply for and probably help with suitable clothing to wear.

Basic stuff.

Thanks for your reply @FortunesFave

We have been providing this kind of help for years and successfully. You would be surprised at the range of people that need help at some time in their lives. I am certain that MN is not just for a particular group of people.

Besides, we are not only looking at people who are getting minimum wage, or are completely isolated. Some people have had amazing careers or educational achievement but things have happened or they take career breaks and need help. Others have never had the chance to get started and many have been going to JCP for years and still not getting the support they want/ need.

We have a model that works (and covers all the things you mention), i was simply looking to see if anyone else had any input or experiences that might help shape something even better

I'm your target democratic

Abbaisspartacus - better information and support is definitely needed. Children getting poorly can’t be helped but it is terrible that you then go without pay to care for them. Obviously I don’t know your circumstance or job but there may be emergency funds you could access. CAB could help with advice or I may be able to put you in touch with someone if you would like?
I hope your little one is feeling better soon

I think in my case its looking at equivalent jobs but in a sector with more flexibility to fit around childcare. I used to work in the NHS and WFH has never been an option, I also notice managers becoming more rigid about working set hours and set days.

I would expect this to be similar given the nature of many minimum wage jobs.

Obviously many parents will need to look for new jobs in different industries but it's not obvious how family friendly or flexible workplaces really are until you start.

I predict myself getting jobs and effectively having to mess them about every time I'm off with DC until I end up quitting because it isn't working out, I've seen colleagues do this.

We have been providing this kind of help for years and successfully.

Then why are you on here asking what help is needed?

@fortunefaves if you read the content of my post I’m simply trying to see if there is any support that is not currently offered to people that would help.

My point was that we do the basic things already - but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make sure it couldn’t be improved. It was just a discussion point.

@ElBelle I live in the Bristol area, sorry for the slow reply. I'd quite like to do a teaching conversion course but it's hard getting the required references together when they want such specific things and you've been out of work a while. I'm sure I'll get there!

Decent, reliable, affordable childcare. Which women have been telling government for years. Childcare that starts early enough, that is flexible with shifts.

Recognition from employers that children get ill and need a parent to look after them.

Holiday childcare, especially for children with SEN.