JCP making it madatory to work full-time

concerned43

I have heard that JCP are telling job seekers who have children that once the child reaches 14 that they must look for full- time work between 8am - 8pm. They are saying that the law states that a child reaches 14 they can be left alone!
This is not true and would be up to the parent to decide depending on the child, I am complaining evidence of this malpractice and if anyone out there who has been told the same, I would like to hear for you.

ILW

Seems a lot of effort being put into finding ways of avoiding working.

FBaby

Unless the child has learning difficulties or medical needs, what would stop a14 year old from being able to be left alone for a few hours (which it's more likely to be a couple at most if looking for a 9 to 5 job?)

Paully232000

As far as I am aware there is no law on when a child can be left alone, however it can be an offence if it is deemed to be irresponsible and leaving them alone is likely to cause harm and a risk to the child.
Guess it depends on the maturity of the child up to a point.

LunaLady

I have to agree with Fbaby.

Most 14 year olds I know want to be left alone, and hate the idea of being babied.

concerned43

The point I am making is that JCP are saying its the law! When in fact it isn't! I have checked with the police and they say they can prosecute Anyone who leaves a child (-17yrs) if that child is left a.one and something happens to them! My point is that it is not up to JCP to make up the law!

Johnnytwostep

ILW wrote: »

Seems a lot of effort being put into finding ways of avoiding working.

I agree that time spent looking for a job would be better spent than getting nowhere with this argument and the jobcentre.

FBaby

Who cares whether it's a law or not, the point it's that it is absolutely acceptable to expect parents of a 14yo to work full time. If for whatever reason a child of that age is in danger if left alone AND there are no alternative arrangements, then surely a derogation could be considered if evidence is produced of the risks. The reality is you would expect this to only affect a minority of people and it isn't right for parents to be entitled to only work part time because of this minority.

Johnnytwostep

and if you did work full time 9-5 not going to be that many hours that are alone. I think you should be resigned to the fact that you will have to get a job or at least think of a better excuse not to get one

Nada666

If you don't want to leave your child alone pay for childcare.

paulineb_2

Actually I think theres always a degree of flexibility when it comes to the job centre, I dont have kids but anytime Ive been looking for work in the past and on JSA, ive put down the hours I can and cant work. They dont expect you to be working 24/7 7 days a week.

My mum worked, she was at work when we were at school and my gran was there every day after school. I appreciate some people dont have extended family that can be there for kids, but there are also way more after school clubs than there ever were when I was growing up.

I also do know childcare can be very expensive, but there has to be something done to get women in particular back into the job market once they have kids. I see so many people around where I live with kids who have no desire to work, I also know someone who is very well educated and on her own with 4 kids between the ages of 3 and 14 and yes thats a job in itself, but she hasnt worked in 15 years.

By the time her kids are grown up she might find herself unemployable because shes made the decision to stay home with the kids and not look for work.

It is a tough one, because there are so many things to juggle. But in my mums day, there were no working tax credits, child tax credits, all she got was child benefit for us and as a single parent she was much better off in full time employment than she would have been on benefit.

Im not sure about the age being 17 about leaving a child at home, may be different in England and Wales but in Scotland you can marry at 16, would be a bit ridiculous if you couldnt be left at home for a few hours.