Working over Summer school holidays?

mrbrightside842

Hello!

I work as a teaching assistant in a local school. I don't have a contract and so fill in time sheets every month. Hopefully I will be back in September and they're looking at giving me a contract, although I can't really rely on this until it happens. I've been looking at other TA jobs and have applied and been interviewed but there's not a lot going at the moment.

I was thinking of getting a summer job to tie me over for the 6 weeks, as being on time sheet I won't get paid for 6 weeks and that would be a pain. Am I able to sign on if I'm looking for something for Summer, or would I not be able to as I have something to go back to in September, although I still wouldn't be contracted?

Many thanks!

jobbingmusician

I don't know, but think you might be well advised to PM one of the board guides on here and ask them to move this to the benefits board, where people might be more knowledgeable. I suspect that the answer is 'no benefits', sadly............

mrbrightside842

Thanks! DH has informed me that you have to be jobless for 6 weeks before anything can be claimed, so that's out the window. Will have to see if there's any temp work going anywhere.

EconomicsGirl

From a quick look it appears you can't as teaching jobs are viewed as a cycle. One thing you could consider doing if you haven't had enough of children is childminding over holidays only - think you have to register with Ofsted first, get CRB check etc and have house inspected so wouldn't bring in income this summer but would for future holidays. Its normally about £4 an hour per child but varies from area to area - I'ld check out what others are charging locally.

Savvy_Sue

Red_Shoes_No_Knickers wrote: »

Well my love, DH(?) is wrong, there is no waiting period to sign on for the benefits. However, if you have been doing this work for a while they will probably base your working pattern over a cycle which includes the holidays, and average out your income over that time. That's what normally happens with term time or seasonal workers, so unless you're normally on a super low income you won't get anything.

Surely that's only the case if the OP is claiming income based JSA (in which case she wouldn't get anything if her OH is earning): if entitled to contribution based JSA then averaging out earnings doesn't come into it, does it?

Which kind of JSA it is depends on the OP's NI record, and whether she's made enough contributions in the 'right' year, I believe.

kingfisherblue

I know several teaching assistants who take on holiday work as playscheme workers. Obviously it is too late for this year, but it might be something for the OP to consider int he future.