Son in a difficult situation

DeeWren

Further update: Son attended both interviews and wasn't lucky with either. It's not that he wasn't qualified for both, but the 200 in front of him were just as qualified. He has just applied for an Asda driving job. Not feeling good about that one, but as I said he is trying. He's out now looking around the local area even if it's only pizza deliveries. Not much money, but beggars can't be choosers.

Neverdespairgirl I'm thrilled for your brother and his mates, what jobs are they doing?

Dee

heartbreak_star

Good luck to him Dee! Glad he is actually trying.

HBS x

Tenyearstogo

It's easy to get in a rut and sometimes people just need a kick!

Unfortunately the kick was the end of his relationship, but it sounds like he's trying now. You obviously have his best interests at heart.

Good luck to him.

mummyroysof3

Has he applied online for jobseekers yet? While applying for jobs it will give him a it of money in his pocket so he isn't asking you for any.

DeeWren

As it stands at the moment, he is still living with his partner, she wants him to stay for the children, but he still needs to bring some money to the table. Because she is working part time and on a small wage they are able to claim a little housing benefit (I don't know how much, exact details etc). If my son claims Jobseekers they will loose that benefit apparently (is that right, anyone know?) However, if he gets a job then they can claim working tax credits I would imagine if they need to claim anything at all? I'm not clear on allowances and benefits, it seems a very complicated system to me.

As I've said before, if he pays his way he will always have a bed here until he sorts out something more suitable. To me their current situation doesn't seem healthy considering she could ask him to leave at any time. I'm glad for the children though, but it's a very worrying time for us all.

On the job front, he drove around some pizza/takeaway resturants this afternoon and so far absolutely nothing. He will expand his search tomorrow. Jobs are difficult to find, no matter what anyone says, but we did expect he'd find something at a pizza or takeaway! We live just outside East London so you'd think there would be something:(

neverdespairgirl

DeeWren wrote: »

Further update: Son attended both interviews and wasn't lucky with either. It's not that he wasn't qualified for both, but the 200 in front of him were just as qualified. He has just applied for an Asda driving job. Not feeling good about that one, but as I said he is trying. He's out now looking around the local area even if it's only pizza deliveries. Not much money, but beggars can't be choosers.

Neverdespairgirl I'm thrilled for your brother and his mates, what jobs are they doing?

Dee

My brother's teaching 5 hours every other Sat (not an option open to everyone, of course) and temping as well - he's getting an average of 3 or 4 days a week, so he's staying with us sometimes, as my parents moved out of London last December. One mate's also temping, one's working in a pub in Greenwich or Blackheath, and the fourth is a cycle courier.

Like I said, not earth-shatteringly exciting, or stunningly well-paid, but Bruv's getting £9 to £10.50 an hour temping, doing things like sorting out a vault archive of papers (that was a couple of weeks ago, for 4 days) data entry, reception cover, etc. I don't know what his mates in the pub and cycle courier-ing are earning, he's not said, and he's not here tonight to ask.

Errata

He should register with all the temping agencies in East London and Central London.

Saturnalia

Errata wrote: »

He should register with all the temping agencies in East London and Central London.

Yes, and once registered, call them every 2 days (at least!). He needs to keep himself in the recruiters' minds, otherwise the jobs will go to the eager beavers who are ringing at 9 on the dot daily.

I know it is a lot trickier with childcare responsibilities, but if he can attend jobs at a moment's notice, he will get brownie points for being keen and reliable = more jobs, repeat bookings and good references.

It's all about building up your reputation and it is challenging, but it's a livable wage and certainly better than JSA!

(Can he continue with his Knowledge studies in his free time too, it's a shame if he's done so much and it goes to waste. Also get him to put that on his CV, that he has been home-studying - especially beneficial if he wants delivery/courier work.)

DeeWren

I just wanted to give you all an update on what's happening. Son got a job with a courier company in London, he did three days this week which worked out nicely with childcare. Although he was riding around all day and doing some "knowledge" work at the same time, he didn't have constant deliveries to make which is what he was lead to believe. So, the money he brought to the table this week, after putting petrol in the motorbike and buying a few coffee's while out was a grand total of £20!! It is something I suppose, but ex partner wasn't amused, not considering he was out all day. So, it's back to the agencies he's signed with and seeing what they come up with. He has been calling them every couple of days (he's hoping to do nightwork which would fit in very nicely with his childcare responsibilities) but nothing so far.

Then to top it all on his way home from our house to his ex partners last night (he was walking) he got mugged!! They took a gold chain he was wearing and a watch which were both 21st birthday presents from us and his grandparents. He was taken to hospital and they kept him in overnight. He looks a bit worse for wear, but otherwise okay. I can't believe all this is happening to him at once. It's like a black cloud is following him around. We're almost frightened to phone to find out how he is because of the answer. Seriously if this was a storyline in Eastenders you'd consider it too far fetched wouldn't you?!

Dee

HPoirot

DeeWren wrote: »

I just wanted to give you all an update on what's happening. Son got a job with a courier company in London, he did three days this week which worked out nicely with childcare. Although he was riding around all day and doing some "knowledge" work at the same time, he didn't have constant deliveries to make which is what he was lead to believe. So, the money he brought to the table this week, after putting petrol in the motorbike and buying a few coffee's while out was a grand total of £20!! It is something I suppose, but ex partner wasn't amused, not considering he was out all day. So, it's back to the agencies he's signed with and seeing what they come up with. He has been calling them every couple of days (he's hoping to do nightwork which would fit in very nicely with his childcare responsibilities) but nothing so far.

Then to top it all on his way home from our house to his ex partners last night (he was walking) he got mugged!! They took a gold chain he was wearing and a watch which were both 21st birthday presents from us and his grandparents. He was taken to hospital and they kept him in overnight. He looks a bit worse for wear, but otherwise okay. I can't believe all this is happening to him at once. It's like a black cloud is following him around. We're almost frightened to phone to find out how he is because of the answer. Seriously if this was a storyline in Eastenders you'd consider it too far fetched wouldn't you?!

Dee

How much would he have brought in if he hadn't spent on petrol for the knowledge and the coffees? Would that be enough pay for 3 days' work? Has he given up after only 3 days? Can't he be bothered to work?