How to get back in to work. I need a strategy

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Not been in paid employment since dd was born (over 10 years ago). done lots of voluntary and community stuff though.

Would like either part time or term time.

I would really struggle to get back into what i used to do - was specialised high tech, I am very very left behind and besides there are no jobs available locally in anywhere near that field.

Been looking for TA jobs. I help in school several times a week and do a lot of 1-1 work and group work. Headteacher says that it is experience he wants, not NVQ's. Jobs just aren't coming up though.

Up til now I've just been checking out council website in the hopes that something will come up, nothing is.

So what next??? I've written a draft cv. Although I would love working in a school I'm getting desperate enough to apply for almost anything. I don't drive though due to eyesight issues.

where do I go from here?

What are the bus routes like? Would you consider social care instead of TA? You could train whilst working so lack of NVQ's not too much of a problem.

I would consider social care, I get County council jobs emailed to me so anything that came up like that I'd do if it were doable.

no bus routes, but good train service to London within a 20 minute cycle ride, so that's an option if I were to do say 2 days a week. Would cycle within a 5 mile radius too to get to an office based job.

dh went through my cv, he has done some interviews through his work and thinks it is ready to go. So I took the plunge and phoned an agency who have asked me to send them a copy. I thought if I try with one and just test the waters, hopefully they can guide me a bit?

I have considered teacher training along (with the rest of the world) perhaps with a view to becoming a maths specialist but this not driving thing is so limiting for potential jobs.

Feeling a bit lost with it all at the moment.

The agency thing is good, if its a decent agency they will give you feed back on your cv and should have you in for an interview to assess how you are in an interview situation and to go a little more in depth into what it is that you want and can do.

Am I right in thinking you have psoriatic arthritis? (i think I remember chatting to you about it as my dd has psoriasis) If so would the cycle option be feasible on a regular basis, especially in cold weather?

If you were looking at teaching maths, have you considered tutoring? You could do your qualifications and tutor from home. So no travelling needed and hence easier to fit around dd's needs.

My dd's tutor is not able to drive because of her sight, she was a teacher and she went into private tutoring because she could earn good money and it meant she could work from home hours to suit her. (she has a problem with her nervous system which means she is in pain at times.)

She charges £25 per hr.

So you could offer tutoring for SATs, general coaching.

It is me that has PA and the cycling would be horrible, I had to cycle last week and had a very bad couple of nights after. Its just that I'm desperate for a job

What sort of qualifications would I need to do? I would love to do it, I love doing 1-1 at school and specialise in boosting confidence. £25/hour would be a definite bonus!!!

I do one on one adult literacy tuition - you're supposed to have a City & Guilds diploma in Essential skills (which covers maths, literacy, communication and ICT) if you want to teach adults, but for age 16 and under it's not necessary.

There's a lot of good courses/diplomas you can do part-time to get you into the area you want to work in - if you'd prefer to work with kids of young people then maybe you could pick a diploma in something youth-specialised to go with all your pre-existing experience?

There can be lots of different routes into the career you want - have you considered the voluntary sector? Lots of community organisations run specialist sessions for adults, teens or kids who struggle with maths/ICT/literacy. Adult work might be perfect for you because, as well as being very rewarding, a lot of the women who sign up to the classes tend to have kids as well so the hours are v flexible and family friendly. If you have any community centres/organisations near you, maybe you could contact them and find out?

That sounds good LittleMiss. I do an awful lot voluntary wise which should help, I am ready after several years to be paid now!

I'll have a look at course that the local college do, could look at OU I suppose too?

I do like the junior school age because that seems to be where children really suddenly lose their confidence in maths.

That's very true re: that age being a real danger zone for kids losing their confidence in learning...

I meant being a paid employee of the voluntary sector - I work for a number of voluntary/community organisations who have both paid freelance staff and volunteers. You've put your time in as a volunteer and you have plenty of experience so there could well be an organisation out there who would love to snap you up as a paid employee!

Just in case you do decide to look into the adult numeracy route as well, here's a link to the relevant City & Guilds info.
www.cityandguilds.com/12652.html

Good luck!!

Junior school and early secondary are the ages most parents will tutor for. They would look for SATs tutoring, maybe 11+ dependent on your area, common entrance exam, general boost to confidence or basic skills.

OU are a good route I think.

Fantastic, thank you both, I have a real route to consider going down now Some research and thought needed!

Littlemiss, I will certainly keep an eye out for voluntary sector work.