Caught in the 'disabled and professional' trap - please help me get back to work!

bails

Lazydaisy, no worries about joining in here! I'm not sure I know the answer to your question - I was told I could voluntarily move over to the new scheme but it's not in my interests as I'm assessed as a couple and woul therefore be about £60 a week worse off. I'm looking to go back to work though so my siutation is different to yours. Really sorry to hear about your accident.
Thanks for the link Foxy and Woody, I'll have a look at it soon.
Sorry to hear you're also ill Prudent (think I knew this already?) and thanks for your concern. I'm lucky with the supply in that my local school slots me in when I am able to do some. It's not my intention to do supply in lots of different schools, for the reasons you mentioned.
Thanks Horace and sorry to hear about both you and your friend. The DLA worry is about it being up for review as Beanie mentioned. I've seen my DEA which is where I learned about Working Links but she was new to the job so couldn't tell me any more than I already knew really. I didn't know about The Shaw Trust so I will look into that too, thanks! The best thing is the New Deal you mentioned - I've heard of this scheme but couldn't for the life of me remember the name; now I have something I can ask about, thanks :T I think I'll ask at my Working Links meeting first and if that's not successful go back to the Job Centre.
It's a full time job this going back to work malarky!

slummymummyof3

Prudent wrote: »

I had ME in the past and had to return to teaching very gradually. Years down the line, I still am very suseptible to all the viruses that go around the children. So you are wise to be cautious.

Just a thought - but I don't want it to be a discouragement in any way- is that it can be very hard to get permanent or even regular part time supply now. Going down the supply route to make up your 16 hours could be exhausting as you would find it hard to pace yourself in a regular routine.

I note you live in Scotland, it certainly isn't the case in SE England that it is hard to find regular or permanent regular supply. There are lots of schools who employ part time teachers on a regular basis to for example cover ppa time. If you register with eteach or a similar agency you could stipulate the sorts of contract you are interested in.