lone parent

[chilly1682]

i have been out of work for 8 years looking after my son as a lone parent. i really want to get back into work but am finding it very difficult. any ideas to what i can do? thanks

[CheekyChops]

Well what kind of work do you want to do, what do you like? Are you looking for a full time job? Or part-time?

[chilly1682]

i really dont care what i do just as long as i get back into work at the moment. my lone parent advisor was no help at all. he did say to only get a 16hr job as i would get more help with the cost of living.

[beanebabe]

I work at our local hospital on 'the bank' (admin side - talk to the HR dept). I work 9.30-2.30, term time only (I know loads of girls who do the same). You can more or less call the shots with them - they told me I wouldn't necessarily get the best jobs because of the hours, but I've been lucky and haven't done anything awful. I started with an easy role to boost my confidence and quickly got back into the swing of office work.

[sara3]

then your Lone Parent Advisor is rubbish! if you work under 16 hours you only get to keep the first �20, the rest will be knocked off your Income Support (assuming you get that).

LPAs should do "better off" calculations to see which jobs would leave you in the best financial situation, taking into account all benefits available.

good luck :o)

[WA-Mom]

I am a parent in the USA having the same problem. It is sad to know that this problem is global. I understand how you feel. I want out, interacting with adults again and speaking full sentences. It feels like a dream, I wish it would become a reality.

Mom from Washington, US