Wanting to get a job after 22 years and old age

[Noras]

Up until now, my life has been a blur for the last 20 plus years as I have struggle to bring up my SEN DS. His early years were awful as he had regular lengthy fits, low muscle tone, language disorder and as it turned out ASD. As he grew older, he needed considerable support at school to have any chance of getting any qualifications. Moving forward he is now aged 20 and at life skills for pre university ASD. His ongoing issues are the ASD, receptive language, dyspraxia ( quite severe) and non existent executive functioning. He also gets 15 hours per week social care and gets UC/ high level pip. He has learnt to be more independent and is slowly learning how to make his own revision notes. We still pay for lots of tutoring in English to help with the language disorder ( he struggles to see mistakes and get word order correct etc),

I have been ‘lucky’ to be able to stay at home to support him as DH work pays ok for is to manage well etc. It hasn’t felt lucky it has felt exhausting at times and bitty at others. Everything has been a fight eg getting the right support at school, school could not get a PA even when a dedicated 1:1 was in EHCP, then arguing for transport to life skills and having to argue re UC benefits etc ( that went to my MP and the Minister of State). I’ve also had experience of tribunal just to get some OT and SALT. My life has been exhausting and at times a blur.

However I can see an escape. Here’s the thing. If social services get their act together and ensure more social care hours during holidays and if the agency works out I could get work .

I absolutely hate my life. I hate being stuck at home and feeling worthless but against that is even if I get that extra support I’m still having to pick up the slack eg sort out PA timesheets and rotas, train PA and organise his activities in holidays etc. But now with this support this is my chance to escape the house.

So now the issue is that I’m too old and have no relevant skill set. I was a lawyer but can’t go back to that as it was high value road traffic accidents and I’m too out of date. Realistically I can’t work a high pressurised job. Although qualified as a solicitor I only have a 2:2 degree from a good RG although frankly in the 1980s that was the norm for the majority in my year. I was well paid as a solicitor earning about £45,000 in 2001. I was fairly senior but the job was so stressful that I was looking to re train as a tax consultant, started the at home course ( ACTA to become a chartered tax adviser ) and then DS was born.

I have no idea what to do and how to get back into work as I’m late 50’s. I want to earn my own money as I hate living off DH and inheritance money/ carers. I would like to do something that is worthwhile and absorbing.

However in the mood I’m in even shop work is better that staying home. However there doesn’t seem to be any jobs around at present.

How can I find a job as there seems to be nothing for me. Law firms want young people as paralegals to invest in so that’s not really an option.

Not sure where you're based but your local university/FE college may have roles supporting students (look for jobs in admin or student support) where your experience would be invaluable. This would enable you to earn money as well as meeting people and enable you to do something worthwhile. Also there may be the option of working from home as needed and working flexibly.
When writing your CV I find it a good idea to try and look at your skills and experience from an outside point of view - all the comments on here about your experience with SEN, legal experience etc. should help get you started. Good luck!

But some of the suggestions on here are a bit optimistic. There are lots of applicants out there for civil service or charity roles and age discrimination is real.

I was speaking from experience when I suggested CS. They recruit "blind" so don't know your age and actually welcome a diverse range of ages.

Another vote for student support. Could you do notetaking? Dyslexic and deaf students often need someone to take lecture notes. The training is about two weeks.

If you fancy going back to uni you can get funding for a second degree part time in a STEM subject.

What about working on a helpline for insurance? Sorry that isn't well phrased, my home insurance has legal cover and if I call it I am connected to a solicitor.

I've been out of work for only 6 years but feel there's a huge competition from the people who didn't have this disadvantage and I can pretty much stick my degree and experience...
There's plenty of full-time (37-40 hrs a week) apprenticeships paying 13-20+K (but I'll be able to do FT only in 1-2 years). Including SEN TAs.
https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch
Some of them are posted under jobs sections on council websites.

We also have a Neurological Hospital nearby and it offers volunteering opportunities with adults and kids like art therapy.

But having all your experience fighting for you DS's rights, I probably would start consulting people or maybe you can start a charity yourself. Or join one.

Firstly, as someone who’s in the midst of tribunals and fighting for everything and had to give up a career (when I would have been on £40-50K now) I send a friendly pat on the back, warm hugs and understanding.i recently went back to work (evenings so DH is at home) and it’s been fabulous to be me again and not ‘Mum’ for a short time. Have you considered Sendiass or IPSEA? Or is the thought of dealing with it just too much? Speakers at events for Parent Carer Forums, other support groups - not sure if they’d pay well/at all though. Even where you take on cases for tribunals for parents? I do something where I don’t have to deal with the struggle for parents too much as I need a break from it though.

I definitely think NHS admin roles.they have a BANK area where you can work for short contracts.

I'm seriously considering doing this for 2 or 3 days when I retire from teaching to top up my pension.

OP I haven’t read all the comments but didn’t want to read and run - in a past life I oversaw mass recruitment for retail & logistics. We had lotssss of ex-SAHMs apply and although we’re really not supposed to stereotype, these were often our favourite applicants (especially if they mentioned their kids have SEN!) because it’s HARD and it shows grit and determination and 101 other values you can’t always glean from a job history!

I know this isn’t the industry you’re looking at, but just wanted to put in a bit of hype for you and a reminder that there will be recruiters out there who will understand that SAHM to someone with SN for that many years equates to plenty of skills building and experience in itself. Good luck!

Fellow SEN mum.

Have you looked into advocacy at all?

Or how long would it take to finish your accountancy and work in that area?

I have lost my law exemption so would have to do the entire course whereas at the time I was exempt from part 1. It’s not really practical.

Thanks everyone - some days I have a Shirley Valentine moment and just want to do away to a bar in Greece and work there but I can’t ( I still have to care).

I agree. When i was job seeking at 58, the only organisations offering me interviews were civil service and nhs.

I agree with trying the nhs. From my own experience they don't seem to discriminate on age. I've know them to offer admin roles to candidates in their 60's. What are your IT skills like ? Might be worth brushing up on them if they are rusty. Good luck.