Non Compulsory Work Focused Interview

donnalou

My youngest is due to start School in Sept 2017. I seem to have 6 month mandatory appointments and every 3 months Non Compulsory appointments. I fully understand the reason behind it but I just think it is a total waste of time. I tried to cancel the Non Compulsory appointment yesterday but the woman was having none of it because I have 2 year old. My argument was it's a 20 mile round trip to get to the job centre plus the cost of parking, and sitting there with a 2 year old who doesn't want to sit still is a nightmare when anything that we discussed could be done over the phone. My DD goes to Pre-School for 2 afternoons a week so she suggested an appointment then but as she has a lunch break 1-2. The only possible time so that I can get back in time for school pick up would be 2 she is going to look and sent me an appointment.

Don't get me wrong I have worked all my life and recently became a single parent so have to claim benefits and I do think that if you have children at school then you should work or at least try to look for work, but do I need to discuss it every 3 months when my youngest won't start school for over 2 years.


Any advice would be helpful.

Many thanks

dktreesea

I thought single parents on benefits had to look for work once their youngest child turns 3, not 5? Wasn't that one of the changes in the Welfare Reform Bill? So they have to go to preparing to return to work interviews when their youngest is 2, and then go onto JSA once their youngest turns 3? Also, when George Osborne was Chancellor, didn't he also say that all 3 and 4 year olds in England would be guaranteed 30 hours of free child care, starting this September?

pmlindyloo

I am presuming that you are on Income Support?

if you are then your two year should be eligible for 15 hrs free child care.

Once she turns 3 years old then she may be eligible for 30 hrs free childcare if you meet the criteria.

You need to check this out so you can conform to the work focussed interviews.

Read this:

https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-and-education-for-2-to-4-year-olds

donnalou

Yes she is entitled to 15 hours but the Pre-School that is attached my daughters school can only offer 6 hours at present. In September she will do 9 hours.
If I did work 16 hours a week I would have to find another nursery for her as her current one only does afternoons and I also have no idea what I would regarding child care in the holidays as I live in a rural location and have no family nearby. I did look into being a childminder but even that I would need to do a course for and I have no one to look after my children. I know many people are in my situation and they manage, I'm open to any advice.

pmlindyloo

Useful link about single parents on income support and what is expected of them.

http://www.singleparents.org.uk/information/benefits/prepare-for-work-after-youngest-turns-12-months-old

parkrunner

If it's non compulsory how can they make you go, that doesn't make any sense to me. What would happen if you didn't go?