Unemployed - aged 17! & money problems

stokechick16

Well im looking for some advice really

I left school last year. Went college in september for 2 weeks and i dropped because i didnt like it. Since then i have been looking for work and my parents canot afford to keep me and its starting to cause problems in the house. Of course they wouldnt kick me out. But any tips on looking for a job?

There are also other problems too. - CSA
My dad has another son, who's 10 who he never sees. And to be honest he does not want to. We dont stop him- its his choice of course. My dad earns around 200-210 pounds a week. My mum works 36 hours a week, 12 hour shifts certain days and earns around 5 pounds an hour. She gets paid monthly.

My dad was paying 45 pounds csa a week. He has been paying on time as it comes straight out the bank. But last month my dad recieved a letter saying he must pay 160 pounds a week as they are saying he missed some payments that total to 2000 and something pounds. My mum and dad cant afford to pay that back. And csa are no useful at all. They have been to citizens advice twice already - no luck, going back monday. And my dad has wage slips of proof that he paid.

He is on the old system and has been told the only way he can get onto the new system is that if he gets a new partner who either claims benefits or something. Cant remember exactly.

Anyway i went connexions asked if i could claim any money due to the problems at home. Everyone who knows us says this is not right. And the only way he can lessen the payments is by paying the full amount off. My mum and dad are argueng over getting a bank loan as they have not long paid one off and dont want another.

EDIT- The boys mum is on benefits, Has never had a DNA test on my dad and my dads name is not on the birth certificate either.

I have been losing sleep over this.

Also i have a slight disability. I have cerebal palsey in my left leg which means i swing my foot and walk with a limp. And it does affect me from doing some things of course. And simple things like ice skating, i cant balance on my left leg. And i cannot wear high heels, or shoes without a support else my foot falls out. And i was wondering if i can genuinely claim disability money.

Sorry for rambling on, i just needed to get it off my chest. Hope to hear some replies. Thank you xx

Lokolo

Ok so you want a job. I can't really tell what you want to do without getting more information about yourself..?

Um few suggestions, have you thought about going into franchise business? Dominos have a management scheme where you go and train to be a manager at a store, yeh its not the best of jobs but I can't see how it won't stop you from getting further in life.
I only know Dominos do one as I work for them, but I'm sure others such as McDonalds etc.

But really need to know what you like doing, what areas you find interesting.

[edit] if you want some advice about the CSA thing go ask my dad, he hasn't paid it for years to neither me nor my brother!

mum2one

It sounds like youve got the world on your shoulders, I mean this in the nicest way, but re you dad and mum with their money, re ur dads csa payments, they really need to sort that out for themselves.

Ok college didnt work out the 1st time, was that because of the course or studying isnt for you.

have a look on the websire re dla, as you may get it, its def worth a try, have you got an idea what you would like to do work wise, as well as connexions also try the job centre as they may be able to assist re the disability element. \with u being 17, I dont quite know whether the job centre could assist, you could always look at the dhss website.

Good luck, with it all xx

Oldernotwiser

I agree with mum2one, stop worrying about your parents' financial situation; it's not your concern. Put your efforts into getting a job or going back to college. How many jobs have you applied for in the last 8 months and what happened with the applications? Are you not getting interviews or not being offered the job after having had an interview?

Get your priorities in order or you risk wrecking your future career.

Bunnie1982

Have you looked at apprenticeship schemes in your area, connexions should be able to give you advice on this.

Mrs_Boo_Boo

There are specific officers located within the job centres (previously Disabled Employment Officers) who could assist you with finding a job suitable for your difficulties. In our area we have a voluntary agency who can assist and advise on disability benefits. Go for it. You have your whole life ahead of you.Make the most of it. Who knows where it will lead to and by developing yourself you will be able contribute towards your family through monetry and supportive action. We had a lecturer at our college who had cerebral palsy and that didn't stop him.
Good luck in the rest of your career.
At least you are in the right place.
Big hugs.

stokechick16

Thank you for all your replies. I have applied for loads of places

Greggs, boots (twice), b&m, clarks, netto, iceland, shoe zone and tesco There are some places i can think of off the top of my head.

Thankfully i had a interview last week for greggs. Ive been offered the job on trial basis which is brilliant.

I also went up town twice to give my cv's out - primark, peacocks, tk maxx, body shop, new look, bay, shoe zone, woolworths, dorothy perkins, scotts, disney shop, wh smiths and many many more !

I also go connexions most weeks. But it gets you on a downer when you dont hear off them even if i have not got the job!

But im on a trial period for weekend work at greggs which hopefully ill be good at. I have an induction day next saturday (3rd may) 9:30am ! my gosh, early, lol.

Thank you for all your replies. Im just a real worrier & i feel im getting no where in life atm really. I need a job asap and i wont give up that easily

thank you xxx

stokechick16

Also abit about me -

Im very good with computers. Im a fast typer as im on t he net like 3 hours a day or more. And have had the net for 5 /6 years so im addicted and used to it also. And i like animals - dogs, cats, rabbits etc. Im good at talking on the phone, i never shut up lol. Im good at basic maths- like adding, taking away. Im friendly, can start jobs asap. I have also applied for a course for receptionist work 5 days a week, 1 day college 80 pounds a week, i applied for that 2 weeks ago. Not heard off t hem yet but hoping i will. I also applied for a nursery assistant nvq, never heard off them.

I will carry on the search ! xxx

seven-day-weekend

Well done with your trial at Greggs!

Just some tips for you- make sure you are pleasant, polite, smart and smile at the customers. Show yourself as eager to learn. Take a notebook to write things down in about the job if necessary. Be willing to do what's asked of you and offer to help.

Then I'm sure you'll be fine.

Good luck again!

jobbingmusician

Stokechick, sorry to hear about all your family problems.

You are obviously really literate (apart from 'never heard off them' which I assume is a typo) - I would employ you like a shot! Which leads me to a suggestion.

I don't know whether you are in a town or stuck in the countryside. Can you do some volunteer work (in an office I mean - I'm assuming you want to work in an office) for a charity?

What do you eventually want to do? Sounds as if you are numerate - go and volunteer in a finance department of a charity, and use this as a springboard to get yourself some finance training, or a job in a company where they will train you. Please understand, I am thinking about a timescale of something like 6 weeks' volunteering - which may seem an eternity atm but will give you something positive for your CV to build on....

GOOD LUCK whatever you decide. The risk atm seems to me that you might settle for a low grade job which is way below your capabilities - as I say, your posts are impressive and way above the average for all ages on this site....

kezbabybabe

Hi stokechick16,

One thing I would suggest is to do some courses on Typing or business writing. This will give you the qualifications needed if you wish to move in to office work, which is more stable than retail work.

I got bored of retail work when I was 19/20. I now work in an office, but I've had to do some courses over the first few years to improve my English in my emails. This will always make you look more professional, so I'd recommend anything like that to show you'r ewilling. Most of these courses are run over a couple of days, so you shouldn't feel too bored when doing them.

Good luck with your future prospects, it's great that you've recognised the need to make sure that your finances are safe so early. :grouphug: