Entitled to benefits?...very confused

kingfisherblue

dazzst wrote: »

She's been advised that quals in TA's isn't necessary. 6 weeks experience only before they will take her on their books.

Your wife wouldn't get a job in my area as a TA - there are so many people after each post that schools and agencies can afford to be picky. In addition to TA qualifications, the majority of people that I know in this job have also taken additional courses in First Aid, Food Hygiene, or others to enhance their chances of getting a job. Most also volunteer regularly for several months before a job is offered.

kingfisherblue

dazzst wrote: »

Yes, that was the agency speaking! Is she wasting her time? What should she do?

Your wife should get some relevant qualifications - level 2 teaching assistant, preferably followed by level 3. Also look at other courses that could enhance her CV - First Aid, Food Hygiene, Sign Language or Makaton.

Many TAs are taken on to work with children who have special needs, so experience of this, short courses in challenging behaviour, understanding autism, etc can be helpful and could make her stand out from the crowd. A willingness to toilet children may be necessary.

Dunroamin

You definitely need qualifications to be a TA. In addition, the work isn't well paid and is,by definition, part time. With children of 15 and 17 who'll soon be totally independent, your wife would be much better looking for full time work and starting to rebuild her career.

princessdon

Wasting her time - NO Experience is great

Wasting her time if she isn't gonna tdo the qual - Yep!

I recommend min Level 3 - plus FABC (min level 2), Food Hygiene - Min Level 2 - Plus Child Protection, Risk Assessment and at least 12 mos before I'd take them on.

As I said - Depending on if she has a "full level 2" she can get the course FREE - but this is due to change from Sept. There are Online and Local Courses that *may* start before Sept. I have over 10 emails this week asking me if I have capacity to start teaching this course after May Half Term - so *some* are running it before the changes, but I don't know capacity in your area.

I have HLTA's who are struggling to find agency work in schools.

dazzst

princessdon wrote: »

Wasting her time - NO Experience is great

Wasting her time if she isn't gonna tdo the qual - Yep!

I recommend min Level 3 - plus FABC (min level 2), Food Hygiene - Min Level 2 - Plus Child Protection, Risk Assessment and at least 12 mos before I'd take them on.

As I said - Depending on if she has a "full level 2" she can get the course FREE - but this is due to change from Sept. There are Online and Local Courses that *may* start before Sept. I have over 10 emails this week asking me if I have capacity to start teaching this course after May Half Term - so *some* are running it before the changes, but I don't know capacity in your area.

I have HLTA's who are struggling to find agency work in schools.

She's been working at a local primary school for 3 weeks now on a voluntary basis. How do you think she can approach them with a view to get trained / asking for employment?

princessdon

It's not the school who can give the best and most honest answer - They probably won't know who is offering training - not their field of expertise.

Employment by them - Zero!

As I said earlier - She needs to apply to Adult Education / local colleges or On Line for the course. She will need to pass an interview and be accepted - Spaces are tough for these courses and she may not even get on.

Re Jobs - ASk the school for "other work" - Catering Assts and Exam officers in high schools and Mid Day Supervisors / Breakfast Clubs / School Crossing Patrols are more likely to give paid employment during training

Don't dismiss these posts. I'd take a client with 1 year experience as a mid day over many others - Shows willing and gains experience that many others don't have in rewards/sanctions, outdoors and behaviour.

FBaby

I used to earn a similar income and although not struggling I rarely had anything left at the end of the month and couldn't save which as a home owner really worried me in case of bedding major repairs. I live in the south east and my mortgage for a3 bed 30's semi was £750 per month. I also had a £300a month childcare bill that I got no tax credit for. With the cost of travelling to work my disposable income was just a little over what my friend on benefits received. Still I was able to pay my bills without getting in the red. Could it be that the issue is debts repayments? It seems to be the common reason why people on a decent wage struggle. Your wife had plenty of time to train and get a job before hence thinking issue is with increase debts.

epitome

dazzst wrote: »

I'll keep the facts brief.

It's best not to do that.

Ask CB why they stopped the CB for one of your children.

What is your monthly take home?
How much is the monthly rent/mortgage?
How much is the council tax per year?

sweetilemon

Do the children have jobs? Not saying they should contribute at that age yet but you should be able to ask them to buy the majority of their clothes (maybe not all or school clothes) and extras like going out with friends etc. It sounds like a lot of wages but after tax, housing and food it isn't a lot to stretch between almost 4 adults. As other people have said a SOA post will let peole make more informed suggestions. I know you don't NEED qualifications to be a TA but it is preferable and a very competitive market. I know in the school i work in (not as a teacher/TA) they are cutting back on TA not taking more on, so as it's great she's getting work experience for her CV make sure she's applying for anything not just TA jobs.

dazzst

CB was stopped as my son has reached 17.
Our mortgage is £805 per month
Our income is £2400 per month

epitome wrote: »

It's best not to do that.

Ask CB why they stopped the CB for one of your children.

What is your monthly take home?
How much is the monthly rent/mortgage?
How much is the council tax per year?