Family, unemployed, going back to college?

Purplekylie22

Hi, bit of background for you, We live in Scotland. I am mum to three kids with a partner who was made redundant last year, my kids are 3, 8 and 9. I was working until I had my three year old and was made redundant on *return to work* after maternity leave. My OH has been looking for work non stop since last year but he has IT qualifications from 10 years ago and no one has been interested. I thought about studying in march / April time but found I was too late for most course by then I am hoping at the end of October to apply for course starting summer 2013. I need to do two years at college and then 4 years at uni to become a midwife and nurse, I want to be a midwife but by doing this route it opens up more jobs by the end of it.
Assuming that my OH isnt working, he would be at home looking after my 3 year old (who will be starting pre-school this year).

What happens with benefits and things once I go back to college? If my OH isnt working then do we qualify for any benefits at all? If he does working do we get childcare? I know that there are grants and student loans e.t.c but I expect these really only kick in once I start university (No uni fees here as in Scotland). Im really confused about what happens if I go.
I never did college / Uni before I kind of fell into a Junior accounting role pre-pregnancy after being an office junior. But its really not where my heart is. I really want to go to college and Uni but I am worried hat we will have no money at all to live on or my kids will be picked up late from school everyday as we try and work out how to juggle childcare Does anyone have any ideas about what will / can happen?

Thank you

Dunroamin

Most mature students in your situation look at doing a one year Access course as a preparation for university, rather than a two year course.

Your husband would be able to carry on claiming JSA while you study with all the associated benefits you get now.

princessdon

Is your oh going to be actively seeking work? What happens if interviews are on college days or he gets sentbtovwork programme or training. Will he take the children to sign on?

Purplekylie22

Dun, I am going to speak to someone about that soon, once the college is back! They have an Introduction to nursing and an Access to nursing course, it suggest you either need highers (A-levels) to get onto the Access course or you do the Introduction and then the Access making it two years. So I will see what the advisor tells me on my appointment.

Princess thats what I don't know. Yes my OH can take the toddler with him when he signs on, apparently other people there do the same and yes he can actively seek work, but I don't know about childcare if he finds work or if he has an interview on the same day as I am college. I have no idea what we qualify for.

If we can qualify for childcare then hopefully he can get a job and the problem will be solved... I really don't know.

princessdon

Purplekylie22 wrote: »

Dun, I am going to speak to someone about that soon, once the college is back! They have an Introduction to nursing and an Access to nursing course, it suggest you either need highers (A-levels) to get onto the Access course or you do the Introduction and then the Access making it two years. So I will see what the advisor tells me on my appointment.

Princess thats what I don't know. Yes my OH can take the toddler with him when he signs on, apparently other people there do the same and yes he can actively seek work, but I don't know about childcare if he finds work or if he has an interview on the same day as I am college. I have no idea what we qualify for.

If we can qualify for childcare then hopefully he can get a job and the problem will be solved... I really don't know.

You won't qualify for childcare as a couple under tax credits - unless you both work. Maybe you can both look for part time?

Being honest if he can Find a job soon paying wtc - the college may help via their childcare fund (it will be gone later in year) - but I do think jsa will be problematic due to courses and work programmes - do you have family who can help if needed

Purplekylie22

Unfortunately no we don't, my family is over 500 miles away and his is 200 miles away. We have a year still before I would be going so we just have to hope hes working by then and we can claim childcare through the college.

princessdon

The problem you have (atm) is 3 different agencies with different aims and funding are involved - Ie the college want you unemployed, TC want you employed for childcare, JSA want 1 of you employed.

Unless others who know more about how JSA works with you being a student maybe give them a ring. I only really know how a college would work which is

a) your course will be free if you are on a JSA or on unemployed on a WTC claim
b) for childcare if your OH is home - they won't fund Childcare.

As I say - there are differing agencies involved which makes it difficult.

Hopefully someone with more knowledge on JSA can advise.

Dunroamin

Don't 3 year olds get a certain amount of free childcare anyway?

princessdon

Dunroamin wrote: »

Don't 3 year olds get a certain amount of free childcare anyway?

They do (usually at a state school) but is *normally* mornings only or afternoon's only.

Some nurseries can agree to using it over days - but not all will and it sounds like OP's LO is in pre-school ie state schooling.

Purplekylie22

yes it is Princess, he will be starting mornings at our local primary school nursery section, after the summer.

princessdon

If it is next academic year 2013 then your LO will be in school and it should be fine.

I know our access courses are 9.30 - 2.30 (because many are parents) and so you can do the pick up's?

I assumed you were going in September.