Finding work at 40

[Lovemusic33]

Currently looking for a job but struggling to find something to fit around my family. I am a single parent to 2 teens, both have SEN’s, I have no child care are dd2 doesn’t qualify for child care due to being over 12 years (if she wasn’t severely autistic she would be old enough to be left alone), this limits me some what to what hours I can work and having no childcare for school holidays it means I need to possibly work at a school.

I don’t really have any useful qualifications, I am a trained chef and I also have several qualifications which I have done since being at home but now that are of any use when it comes to working in schools. Up until a few months ago I was working in mental health but not in a qualified role. I would love to work part time, just to get me out the house and to mix with people.

I’m not computer literate so can’t do a office job, I prefer hand on jobs and love working outdoors.

At the moment I am registered as self employed, I’m unsure what I’m looking for really and I’m unsure who would want to employ me 😬. When I look online the only jobs near me are caring or cleaning jobs which are fine but it’s not what I really want to do (I care for my DD’s and I feel like I clean everyday).

Has anyone got a part time/full time job that fits with ing school hours that isn’t at a school?

Am I better looking for self employed work so I have more choice on what hours/days I work? I have considered gardening or even dog walking.

Or does anyone WFH in a job that doesn’t involve being glued to a computer?

School catering jobs in private schools are usually term time only and greatly in demand at the moment. If you wanted to use your chef skills? Or you could train in forest school provision?

I'm not an expert here, but if your 12 year old can't be left, have you ensured or got support to help with maximising what you can access via carer's allowance and/or respite or other care for her? You are effectively in the same position as a parent to a much younger child.

Cleaning isn't glamorous but is easily findable. Some families, especially if you're near wealthy areas, also pay to have someone who'll be a housekeeper type person, to come in and do a light clean, help with house admin like dry cleaning or doing ironing, and then cook and leave a meal for dinner. Private or restaurant chef work would be hard with your hours, but there are lots more home cooking type services that might also value your skills.

Dog walking is hard if you're not good with dogs. Gardening is another option, though again if you're not knowledgeable it won't be very well paid.

I have considered forest school, it’s something I would enjoy 😊, I might look into it a bit more.

I have applied for a school kitchen job (waiting to hear back).

Could you bake/make something and sell at a farmers market?

@Saffy123456

Could you bake/make something and sell at a farmers market?

I have tried this, for a while it was successful but my kitchen is small so there was no room to expand. Also a lot of competition where I am 😬.

I have had a look at the forest school training but it’s almost £1000 to do the level 3 forest school leader course 😬. Are there any schemes about to access free or cheaper courses? I would love to retrain but £1000 is a lot of money and the possibility of still not being able to find a job with the qualification.

I would love to find someone to cook food to my specifications due to health issues in the family (adult) but not much time. It would be a home working self employed job & I would be happy to have the food delivered or pick it up.

Would there be demand for similar in your area?

Apprenticeship for forest school leader?

Whereabouts (roughly!) are you in the country? If not a school then university catering if you want to use your chef skills/food knowledge? Normally better pay than schools

I am in the SW, not near a city or big town which kind of limits my options, no uni near me and most schools use a outside catering company. I have applied for one school kitchen job but not heard anything back .

Cooking from my home isn’t an option, I have done it before but my kitchen just isn’t big enough.