Supply teacher, but no work or income

ManxTeacher

Following redundancy from a full time teaching post, I signed up as a supply teacher, but there's been very little demand - only 3 days' work in total since May and now the schools are all on holiday, so there's no work till at least mid-September.

I've also been applying for other jobs, with no success. I'm a widow with no children at home, (just a cat).

I'm now really struggling and am basically pretty much living off my credit card, in the hope that the work will come in come Autumn, so I can pay it off.

My local Education Dept told me I wouldn't be able to claim any benefits at eg sick pay or anything else as the daily rate of pay is supposed to cover the holiday period.

That would be fair enough if I'd actually done any work and been able to put cash asided for the 6 weeks holiday, but I've not earned enough to cover my rent, let alone anything else.

Can anyone suggest anything I can do to get something to tide me over, please?

BorisThomson

Apply for JSA or Universal Credit, whichever is in your area. Normally I would agree with the LEA advice, you're a cyclical worker, but given how little work you've had you should still qualify for assistance.

ManxTeacher

The Education Dept said I couldn't claim this as I have a job, even though it's zero hours.

BorisThomson

ManxTeacher wrote: »

The Education Dept said I couldn't claim this as I have a job, even though it's zero hours.

People on zero hours contracts can claim benefits. Even if you worked (up to sixteen hours) and earned less than your applicable amount, you could claim. You should also look at housing benefit if you rent and council tax benefit.

Worrying how many others the LEA has given this bad advice to!

BorisThomson

Have you got this advice from the education department in writing? If so, and because you've been applying for other work, I would apply for backdating as well. They may decline on the basis that you should have asked them, but you could argue that the local authority should be a reliable source of information and so you were ill advised by a council official.

ManxTeacher

I think it was in an email - will go back and check.
Thanks

teddysmum

There as been a rise in agencies, which offer holiday time tuition, so need to recruit temporary staff.


If your subject is one of those in demand (mainly maths and English),it would be worthwhile approaching any you know of, as they also need coaching staff, for after school hours in term time.


There are sometimes LEA vacancies for 'home' tutors to work with children who are excluded, too ill to attend school or in hospital for long spells.

ManxTeacher

I already do private tuition, but I'm in a very rural place where there are no tutoring agencies and the LEA doesn't allow 'home' tutors.

Have already applied for various other face-to-face and online tutoring jobs, as well as roles that are non-teaching.

I even applied for holiday tuition in cities eg London, but was told they only want tutors who already live in the area, not those willing to come for a few weeks.

NineDeuce

Any temp job. Loads of office agencies around. In any case, wouldnt you be better off looking for full time work in something like an office as it will get you more income than 3 days/month in a school?

ManxTeacher

Oh believe me, I have tried ALL the agencies in my area and tried to convince them of my experience and transferrable skills, but none of them could see beyond the "teacher" label and told me they were not prepared to add me to their lists and that they wouldn't have anything suitable for me.

Same goes for various other jobs I've applied for, I'm "over-qualified", too old, or generally not suitable.

Frustrating

BorisThomson

That's a problem many teachers leaving the profession have. You're capable of planning and organising, managing a classroom of 30+ children, dealing with all sorts of difficult people, but agencies struggle to see past the role. My partner was made redundant, took it as an opportunity to do something else, and now is doing supply to cover his old job! I hope you find something soon.