Returning to paid employment after caring duties

[returnfrommars]

Can I ask for advice on how to return to paid work after maternity leave turned into caring duties for ASD DC?

I have an undergraduate degree (humanities) and was studying for another (computing) with a view to returning to work and also to keep my brain up and running.

I have not been in paid employment for over a decade now, so I am aware that any potential employer will simply not progress my application further due to a lack of recent experience.

The thing is this - as a carer I have been exceptionally proactive in tackling discrimination issues and have dealt with the governing bodies such as NMC, GMC, Ombudsman, Children's Commissioner in addition to MPs and others. None of this has been in any official capacity and I don't have a named role to play in terms of my activities. I haven't been able to do any regular voluntary work due to my caring committments.

I am, however, very robust and have gained so much more experience than I ever did whilst in regular paid employment. I have developed strengths I did not know I had as a result of the extreme stress I have been subjected to.

I regularly check the Civil Service vacancies website but the gap of over a decade is, understandably, likely to kill any chance of me being considered for a position.

There is the minimum requirements scheme for disabled people applying for jobs but sadly no such scheme for carers (and there are thousands like me) to help return to work.

Ideally I would like a position in which I can use my experience to make a difference but am aware that there will be stiff competition from others who have recent experience in a formal role.

I would not be prepared to work in nursing / teaching / social care type positions. I am very keen to move away from this as I have found my caring role very stressful and just want to move on to fresh territory.

Any advice?

Don't have any advice to offer but I can empathise with your situation. I was an unpaid carer for 20 years having given up my job. Sadly due to bereavement, I am now in a position to work again but having a huge gap in my CV is a massive barrier. I also do not want to work in the care/disability sector for the same reasons you state - although I have vast amounts of undocumented experience in that area! Whilst I would be happy to work in retail/hospitality, having spent 22 years caring, I would quite like something M-F to fit in with DHs hours so we can spend some time together at weekends.

I can study for free as I receive Carers Allowance.

My previous career was in a creative field and I won several prizes for my work.

A returnship scheme would be fantastic but I have never seen one near to us.

Sorry I don't want to seem as though I am discounting any suggestions but I do have genuine, significant, barriers with regards to returning to paid work.

bigbluebus I am sorry for your loss

Does the Civil Service, or any LA / public sector type employer, have any schemes for returners?

Where I live CAB volunteers are often recruited by the local council for their own in house advice service, because the training is so good. Once you're in local government there are loads of opportunities to move around.

You wouldn't need to specialise in care related advice; it might come up sometimes and your experience and knowledge would be valuable, but your thing could be something totally different. For example my local CAB has trained up and employs someone (as in, actually pays her) just to look after fuel poverty issues as it's such a big thing.

Good luck I agree with you that caring jobs aren't for everyone and pushing it as a low end job for people who can't do any better is dangerous for the people receiving care as well as disrespectful towards those for whom it's a real vocation.

Quite a lot of big corporates are offering "returnships" - and quite a few of these are in IT, partly because one of the issues around women in IT is the "leaky pipeline" - women go off on maternity or take time out for caring or other reasons, and don't come back.

The details of these programmes vary, but are often along the lines of 6 months training while working. So don't give up hope, because a lot of companies are keen to get women back into the workforce after they've taken time out from paid employment, and recognise that some training will be required for this.

I would think voluntary work to begin with, to gain valuable work experience. Cab is great, you learn so much and develop as a person at the same time. Voluntary admin with a charity? I think a basic entry level job is also a good starting point when you have been out of the job market for a long time; then work your way up. It’s much easier to get a job when you are in a job .