I'm considering becoming a night support worker...

[Ggggggggggggggggyh]

Hiya everyone. I wanted to hear people's opinion on this. I'm currently doing a day job on minimum wage and I work 4 days a week. I roughly get between 1k-1.3k with tax deducted already each month (1.3k during the summer season). I don't have any qualifications other than working as a housekeeper.

I have a husband who gets 2k per month and he works as a chef from 8am-6pm. I have a 3.5 year old who goes to nursery 5 days a week. He starts reception next year September.

There's been a job advert for a night support worker in our local area and my friend who works there during the day recommends that I apply for the job. I don't have any carer experience other than caring for my dad since I was 13 years old...I'm 30 now. My friend said the pay is good and that the job is very straight forward. The business is desperate for staff. The salary from 12am-6am is 17.65 and the hours are from 10pm-7.30am with an hour break. Normal day rate ranges from 13.45-15.00/hour. If I work 3-4 nights, I'm looking at around 1.5k-1.6k constantly without tax and NI deductions. I can also pick up extra shifts if I wanted to.

If I apply and get the job, should I take it? We really want to save up for another car before our son starts reception and we also want to go on a long holiday by 2026. I'm just very hesitant because the last night shift job i had, I was super exhausted but that's only because my son was much younger and he was only in nursery 2 days a week. Also, my husband was a learner driver at that time but he can drive now so I reckon it will be easier.

Are there any mums and Dads here who do night support work and find it doable with kid(s) and one car? Any advice would be great. Thank you.

Night support worker covers a fairly wide spectrum of situations from sleep in where the client(s) just can't be left unattended in case of emergencies to those needing support throughout the night (I've had under 3 hours sleep myself as dsd is with us not with her 24/7 carers) and obviously everything in between. You could not work as dsd's overnight support and work during the day as they are lunch to get 2-3 hours sleep, plus you could not then work the next night shift without being properly rested as you need to be fully on the ball.

I have not done night support work so maybe another poster can help with more targeted advice.

Logistically, it is just a numbers game.

How long and how many days a week do you have to work before you have saved up for a car. Will that period straddle into your son's reception?

How do you cover school/nursery holidays and sickness when your son is at home.

When do you go to sleep and wake up?

On a day-to-day basis, you will have to work out who (you or dh?) will be doing the drop off and pick up from nursery and after your ds starts reception in September, the same except the pick up is now at 3.30 pm. Does he need to be driven there and back or can you walk? This has cost and timing implications.

Do you need wrap around care of breakfast and afterschool club to paper over the cracks? If so, factor the cost in

Also whether it could get too tiring for your son, you and dh.

Assuming you'll be doing the school run this would leave you about 6 hours to sleep, maybe squeeze a nap in before you start. If you think that would work for you then go for it, you could always see if a daytime position becomes available instead if you're struggling.