Nightmare bullying from the jobcenter

Blackpool_Saver

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

Or you could arrange to be a childminder to help other lone parents.

A lovely idea in theory, and it was considered at the time (14 years ago) but with my son's condition it would not have been possible

Blackpool_Saver

The problem with the job seeker service is that it has to cater for wasters, now the OP seems quite reasonable (excepting the candy crush moment) and literate, I would cut her some slack to be honest

duchy

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

I suppose if you have absolutely NO-ONE who can look after your children for a couple of hours while you are at the Jobcentre, you'd have to take them. But what would you do with them if you got a job interview? You couldn't take them then.

Visiting the JC won't get you a job attending an interview may do.

If you have a limited amount of funds available and can (just) afford to pay for childcare or even cash in an owed favour (that can't be repeated) for one which is the better use of resources-use it for the JC or use it for the job interview ?

It's hardly rocket science.

More flexible scheduling in school holidays doesn't seem unreasonable or even appointments that allow for school drop/pick up. Parents simply can't be in two places at one time.

It's all very well expecting parents of children too young to be left home alone to work (something I agree with in principle -I worked when my son was small) but the issue of what they do with their children whilst attending meetings and interviews whilst seeking work simply isn't addressed and sanctioning for it is not the solution.

duchy

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

I have never been on JSA, but my son has.

.

Did you care for your son's children whilst he attended the JC ?

(or does he not have children .....or has a partner who can look after them whilst he attends ? )

Or did you tell him to pay a childminder out of his JSA (or from the moneytree in his garden)

seven-day-weekend

duchy wrote: »

Did you care for your son's children whilst he attended the JC ?

(or does he not have children .....or has a partner who can look after them whilst he attends ? )

Or did you tell him to pay a childminder out of his JSA (or from the moneytree in his garden)

He was single when he was on JSA and so had hardly any money. £50 something I think it was. (Plus rent paid).

I'm not saying it is easy for single parents, (or single people without children) of course it's not but I'm sure there are very few who have absolutely no-one who could look after their children for a couple of hours while they attend the Jobcentre. Does no-one have any friends? When my son was small there were always friends who would mind him for a couple of hours and then I'd return the favour some other time.

seven-day-weekend

duchy wrote: »

Visiting the JC won't get you a job attending an interview may do.

If you have a limited amount of funds available and can (just) afford to pay for childcare or even cash in an owed favour (that can't be repeated) for one which is the better use of resources-use it for the JC or use it for the job interview ?

It's hardly rocket science.

More flexible scheduling in school holidays doesn't seem unreasonable or even appointments that allow for school drop/pick up. Parents simply can't be in two places at one time.

It's all very well expecting parents of children too young to be left home alone to work (something I agree with in principle -I worked when my son was small) but the issue of what they do with their children whilst attending meetings and interviews whilst seeking work simply isn't addressed and sanctioning for it is not the solution.

I do agree that it should be possible to be flexible.

princessdreamer

I have plenty of family and friends its just that during the day they are all at work. Plus tbh not many people can afford to look after a sick child incase they get ill themselves.

duchy

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

He was single when he was on JSA and so had hardly any money. £50 something I think it was. (Plus rent paid).

I'm not saying it is easy for single parents, (or single people without children) of course it's not but I'm sure there are very few who have absolutely no-one who could look after their children for a couple of hours while they attend the Jobcentre. Does no-one have any friends? When my son was small there were always friends who would mind him for a couple of hours and then I'd return the favour some other time.

We are talking over 5s here so in the government's ideal world all those friends with same aged children will be at work nowdays not sitting at home availlable for half the neighbours for free babysitting on a regular basis ....or possibly have taken up your suggestion to become childminders so would charge.
Also some people don't live in areas where they have roots so don't have a network to fall back on ...or quite simply don't have friends they'd trust to look after their dog let alone their child.
Also if they get the job-they won't be available to return the favour as they'll be working.

You are basing your "solutions" on assumptions there are lots of SAHMs around. Maybe back in "your day" but now it isn't the case.

My two nearest neighbours both had babies last summer both are already back at work (neither are single mothers not that that's relevent) and they are the norm not the exception. Women who have jobs are not staying home after having babies but keeping their jobs in the current employment and economic climate.

seven-day-weekend

It would be good if there were community groups who could provide affordable childcare under these circumstances; however I suspect the set-up costs and red tape would render it unviable

seven-day-weekend

duchy wrote: »

We are talking over 5s here so in the government's ideal world all those friends with same aged children will be at work nowdays not sitting at home availlable for half the neighbours for free babysitting on a regular basis ....or possibly have taken up your suggestion to become childminders so would charge.
Also some people don't live in areas where they have roots so don't have a network to fall back on ...or quite simply don't have friends they'd trust to look after their dog let alone their child.
Also if they get the job-they won't be available to return the favour as they'll be working.

You are basing your "solutions" on assumptions there are lots of SAHMs around. Maybe back in "your day" but now it isn't the case.

My two nearest neighbours both had babies last summer both are already back at work (neither are single mothers not that that's relevent) and they are the norm not the exception. Women who have jobs are not staying home after having babies but keeping their jobs in the current employment and economic climate.

Yes, I must admit I was. I do know some SAHPs nowadays, however.

I accept that it is very difficult for single parents. However, I do think it is right to seek work once the child is of school age.