Signing on time

maplegirl2011

Hi wonder if anyone knows if there are any rules about child friendly signing on times for lone parents.
I have just been today and my time has been changed to 3.30pm. My sons school doesn't finish till 3.25 and its a 2 mile walk to the job centre.
When I said I couldn't do it as it clashes with my sons school she just said "we'll what would u do if u were working".
She said there weren't any other times. Just wondered if there were any rules regarding this. Thanks

bazza5070

The JCP cannot make you sign at a time when you have to be somewhere for your children, like the school run. They should give you a time when it is reasonable to expect you to attend. The fact that you would have this problem if you were working is neither here nor there, the fact is you are not working and so it is reasonable to expect you to be available to collect your children from school.
If your adviser insists that you sign at 3.30 you should ask about costs for childcare while you are unavailable to collect them because of being at the JCP.
Hope this helps.

FBaby

That is silly. If you worked, you would be entitled to the childcare element of tax credits to pay for childcare. You can't claim it on JSA. Or maybe you could suggest to her she changes these rules?

dseventy

I am going to go against the "Think about the children-won't someone think about the children" brigade and "Charge them childcare" gang.

There is a lone parent adviser usually, have you had a chat with them?

Assuming you are signing on fortnightly is there not alternative arrangements you can make? Any mums you know can pick up your child and mind them for an hour and you can vice versa? What about after school activities? Is this a relationship you could foster with a parent or the school?

I know its hard and I know its difficult but when you get a job you might need this kind of urgent short term support to kick in.

To start talking about childcare costs before the other options are looked at is OTT.

FBaby wrote: »

That is silly. If you worked, you would be entitled to the childcare element of tax credits to pay for childcare.

Now that is silly, not everyone who works can claim the tax credits element of childcare!

D70

maplegirl2011

Hi thanks. No I don't have any after school clubs or any mums that could help. Don't have any family locally so it is all down to me. I'm under the work programme so don't have contact with lone parent advisor. Will have to see what they say next time.

FBaby

Now that is silly, not everyone who works can claim the tax credits element of childcare!

I would know indeed but that's usually because you are deemed to be able to afford it, which on JSA, is unlikely for OP, not even considering that the chances of her getting a place for only one afternoon every two weeks (?) at short notice are pretty low.

I am all for single parent to get back to work as much as possible, but surely avoiding the one 1/2 hour that is the worse for a single parent isn't that much to ask for.

HappyMJ

maplegirl2011 wrote: »

Hi wonder if anyone knows if there are any rules about child friendly signing on times for lone parents.
I have just been today and my time has been changed to 3.30pm. My sons school doesn't finish till 3.25 and its a 2 mile walk to the job centre.
When I said I couldn't do it as it clashes with my sons school she just said "we'll what would u do if u were working".
She said there weren't any other times. Just wondered if there were any rules regarding this. Thanks

Hi thanks. No I don't have any after school clubs or any mums that could help. Don't have any family locally so it is all down to me. I'm under the work programme so don't have contact with lone parent advisor. Will have to see what they say next time.

You can't change the time. Either sign on at the time they request or not sign on at all. Surely there is a childminder in your area who could take your child 1 day in every 14 days for an hour or two. Why do you not know any other mothers? Do you not speak with anyone when waiting at the school gates.....to get a job you need to be networking...talking with other people and telling them you are looking for a job. It's amazing how much work can be found that way.

clairec79

Are your hours restricted on your Jobseekers agreement at all? If they are restricted to school hours and you need not be available to work after 3.30 I think you'd be able to refuse

maplegirl2011

HappyMJ wrote: »

You can't change the time. Either sign on at the time they request or not sign on at all. Surely there is a childminder in your area who could take your child 1 day in every 14 days for an hour or two. Why do you not know any other mothers? Do you not speak with anyone when waiting at the school gates.....to get a job you need to be networking...talking with other people and telling them you are looking for a job. It's amazing how much work can be found that way.

So who pays the childminder for two hours ? I can just about pay my bills let alone pay for childminders. Yes I know some of the mums but not well enough for my son to go with them and he has one friend and she has four kids of her own and I don't see why I should leave my son with strangers who I say hello to once or twice a week.

maplegirl2011

clairec79 wrote: »

Are your hours restricted on your Jobseekers agreement at all? If they are restricted to school hours and you need not be available to work after 3.30 I think you'd be able to refuse

Yes my hrs are restricted to 3pm

Dunroamin

How old is the child?