Voluntary work for degree and childcare

roosterpotatoes

Good evening everyone,

I am due to start a foundation degree in Sept/Oct this year and because of the current financial climate I realise that if I am to gain any work experience I may have to do it voluntarily.

I have two children and will need child care.

I am wondering that if I work over 16 hours would I get 70% of my childcare costs or not as I wouldnt be earning, i would be on Income Support.

Im really sorry if I have posted this in the wrong place

Thanks very much for taking the time to read this

Oldernotwiser

You have to be earning to claim WTC, not working voluntarily. Couldn't you fit the voluntary work n whilst the children are at school?

Taiko

Or you could just apply through SFE, seeing as it's a foundation degree...

Read the online guides.

Oldernotwiser

Taiko wrote: »

Or you could just apply through SFE, seeing as it's a foundation degree...

Read the online guides.

You're obviously right. I assumed that the OP was talking about doing it before her course started as she mentioned being on IS, I hadn't realised that she was asking about what she'd be doing as part of the course when she'll be funded.

Taiko

I read it as if during the course. Both of our suggestions apply, and this is why I should sleep rather than work late.

divastrop

I'm curious as to which Foundation Degree you will be studying, as many of them require that you undertake a work placement as part of the course. If you are doing it full time then childcare can be funded by SFE, they don't ask what hours you are doing they just want to know the weekly cost.

roosterpotatoes

Thanks everyone for your replies
Its in Business Management, I would only want the placement to last a year as I would need to find another placement in my third year. (thats what ive been told by the college)
The course is part time, one day a week 9.30am until 4.30pm, so would be able to work around the children for the rest of the week.
I didnt know there was funding available.
Thanks

Oldernotwiser

I know that you've said that the course is one day a week but that doesn't necessarily mean that it's part time. Funding would only be available for a designated full time course, so it's worth checking if that's the case.