On Income Support, work focused interview this week. Have no idea what job/training etc i want.

[Tortoise]

I have to go to the job centre Friday for work focused interview. I have been to a few now and i know they will want to know what i am doing about finding work.
I am a single mum with 4 DC, youngest is nearly 6.
I know that i need to find work or something but the problem is i have no idea what i want to do.
I do enjoy looking after young children, under 3's sort of age and love animals.
I did a YTS course when i left school and have a GNVQ health and social care. Also did a bit of child care/nannying.

I haven't worked since DS1 was born 13 yrs ago and am quite frankly terrified at the thought of working. I lack confidence and fear doing something wrong.

Could do with some suggestions on what to do/where to go from here before i get bombarded with questions at th job centre.

Have thought about CM but quite a few in the small town i live in and not sure house is suitable (plus have a Greyhound and a Jack Russell!)
TIA

Do you volunteeer at your children's school as that would give you an idea of what working with children is like now, or at a playgroup, although you would need a current CRB check, that can be arranged.
The fact that you have 2 dogs shouldn't restrict you from childminding but as there are quitea few cm's already why not chat to them & find out what the current vacancy situation is like & be honest with them that you are researching all possibilities & see what they say. Some cm's will be very unhelpful but other will be happy to talk about their work & how they view work prospects in your town.
Otherwise you could go back into care work, I know around here they are always looking for care workers & sometimes you can specify the hours you are available to work, especially if doing home visits.
Good luck.

The www.cache.org.uk/cachednn/CareersinChildcare/tabid/55/Default.aspxcache website is quite a helpful starting point if you are thinking about a career with children. You would probably need to do some additional training, though. How would you feel about that? It could be 'on the job' if you needed to 'learn while you earn'.

The Jobs Families on this website can also be a helpful starting point for thinking about possible careers.

Have you seen a careers advisor? Ask them if the job centre can refer you to an adult guidance worker to discuss your options.

Sorry, this is the Cache website

Thanks for replying.
No i haven't volunteered at school or playgroup because i don't really have interest in that age group. I am more interested in younger children/babies.

Not to worried about having to do any training. Will have a look at your links.
And will think about seeing a careers advisor. Not heard about adult guidance worker so will ask about that while i am there.

My CM has two dogs and has had DD2 since she was 5 months old, so it won't put everyone off.

I don't know where you live, Tortoise, but in London the job centre can refer you on (usually only if you ask, sadly!) for a session with an adult careers advisor. In some areas you can see them up to three times for free if you are an 'adult returner'(ie. returning to the workplace after a career break).

Have a look and see if your local FE college runs any short courses for women returning to work after a break to bring up kids (in theory the job centre should know about these too). They're good for brushing up on skills and getting your confidence back.

Also, your local authority or Sure Start might have an idea of the demand for childminders in your area if you did fancy going down that route. Or worth looking on the NCMA website here.