Lone parent/IS changes to JSA

AnxiousMum

Good luck MM - If you enjoy what you are doing, and can see a future - the frame of mind will come to you Like I'm telling my son at the moment - sound and BE passionate about SOME aspect of every job you are applying for - if the job is terrible, be passionate about getting that first pay cheque and taking your girlfriend out for a nice meal, but be passionate about SOMETHING to do with the job/benefits of the job.......it's what puts a smile on the face of people who do the cr*ppiest jobs day in and day out

SingleSue

Kingfisherblue - I have the same problem as you, two disabled children who require lots of care plus an older newly diagnosed disabled teenager. Childcare has been impossible to obtain due to the younger two problems and even if it was possible, they have so many appointments, hospital admissions and illnesses that I would be sacked within a very short space of time for having to take time off!

Looby - We also have problems with the amount of childcare available...even for 'normal' children.

I haven't given up though....it will happen one day.

welshmoneylover

Where's the OP gone?

I do agree with the previous poster, she does seem to be moaning about having to work instead of staying at home with the children.

looby75

SingleSue wrote: »

Looby - We also have problems with the amount of childcare available...even for 'normal' children.

I haven't given up though....it will happen one day.

just out of curiosity what part of the country are you in Sue?

I know a lot of people really don't believe me when I say how bad the childcare is round here, the gov keeps going on about all the sure start centres and free childcare places for 3 yr olds but they don't seem to realise that there are still parts of the country that all the initiatives haven't reached yet.

SingleSue

I'm in Suffolk......the problem here is the post nursery/playschool age (according to the Lone parent advisor who had an absolute mare getting childcare for her children when her one stopped), the change in age for coming off IS, then of course the tightening up of the rules set by the authorities for child carers...it's putting a huge stress on resources.

looby75

SingleSue wrote: »

I'm in Suffolk......the problem here is the post nursery/playschool age (according to the Lone parent advisor who had an absolute mare getting childcare for her children when her one stopped), the change in age for coming off IS, then of course the tightening up of the rules set by the authorities for child carers...it's putting a huge stress on resources.

sounds about the same as round here sue (north east) and like you say the situation is getting worse.

My sister in liverpool found it very hard to find a place for both of her girls at the same nursery, most of the ones she tried had a place for either or but not both. When she went back to work after having her first daughter she had the pick of nursery's but 2 years later she found the situation had changed dramatically for the worse

maxmycardagain

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

The OP has received some good advice and many posters are male!

and they cant have PMT?......lol

dmg24

maxmycardagain wrote: »

and they cant have PMT?......lol

If they did I would be suggesting they visit their GP!

pendart

Thanks to all who have taken the time to view your opinions on my situation. Alot of different points of view and advice. In response to some of those replies concerning 'getting off my bum'. It is frustrating for tax payers to see single parents have 'worries' about going back to work. Work does not worry me and I am not adverse to it. While my children were young and I lived with my partner I would get up at 4am to go to work. My previous ten years of working from cleaning to civil servant to working for local government will help me find work, as will my 11 a levels. During my stay at home I have kept my qualifications up to date in preparation for returning to work. I accept that whether you are single or with a partner we don't always have the luxury of being there for our children. My concerns are the quality of childcare, the practical side of getting to places on time, the school holidays etc. With two parents there is more flexibility. With absent fathers lending a hand also, more choices are available. Having been to uni to study primary ed in preparation for a term time career, I was dissappointed I couldn't continue, there are no childcare facilities open at 6am, the time I needed to leave the house to travel to my placement. It is not for want of trying and I am willing to do cleaning or anything. Children do need independence but my son is only six. In a fair system I would pay back all the IS from future wages as a 'loan' as I do not like the stigma of being on benefit. I have considered all options from childminding to classroom assistant. I have appointments all week with careers advisors, back to work initiatives and jobcentre plus. I stand firm that it is my childrens right and my right as a parent to be there for my children and I am prepared to save up to support myself during the holidays. What I don't agree with is the changing of the age limit from twelve to seven. Mainly because I would go to work if my child was twelve knowing he can be independent. Childcare vouchers only contribute so much to the fees and I would only be working to pay a childcare provider when I can do it myself. The bottom line is that the rules are changing and people have find ways to fit their family around their work while earning enough to keep themselves out of poverty. The rules are black and white whereas each individual has different needs and levels of support. I'm sure you will all be pleased when I get off my bum and stop draining the system dry, when I pay taxes I don't complain that they are used to support other members of society. Not everyone 'decides' to become a single mum or decides to take benefits. Some people sympathise while other chastise, thats fair enough my original post was to gain advice from those in similar situations to HELP me forward, to all those who put in their two pennies worth, thank you for sharing. I would be happy to walk in your shoes for a day if you walk in mine. Also I will not be claiming JSA on principle, even though I will be looking for employment that fits in with my family commitments I am not 'available for work' my job is to make sure my children get to school on time and are looked after during holidays. During school hours I volunteer as a classroom assistant I have been doing this for three years and not one vacancy has come up in all that time. So no I don't just watch morning TV. Thank you for those who came up with constructive advice. Good luck to all those who are having difficulties in finding work or childcare. If I get any info from all my meetings this week I will pass it on. Thank you.

pendart

Thanks for coming to my defence!!! Advice is what I am looking for.