in New single mums / mums struggling/ single mums

UC Struggling

Hey, is anyone really struggling with finding a job that works with nursery times? My child is 3 now so universal credit are doing everything they can to make me go back to work. I was initially working 35 hours a week until we were made homeless and relocated, this was only last year. We’ve been moved to an area that is really lacking nurseries and the hours they do are 9-2:30 which is making it really really difficult to find work. If she stayed longer at nursery I could have more of a chance but I just can’t find anything. And the pressure from universal is really weighing me down, I’m so far in my claim that they have referred me to the restart scheme so it means having to travel over an hour to make this appointment. I just don’t know what to do. I usually work in care homes but every interview I have been to I’ve been turned down because of my lack of availability.

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Yeh it's so difficult! Keep trying to find a nursery that does longer hours as it helps. I work in healthcare and like care work it's not really 9 till 5 😅😅

I'm a childminder. Before I had baby (dec) I was totally full and worked 42hours a week but coming back at 10 weeks pp, I am now having to claim uc as hubby left recently. I don't intend to work full time again before baby is 9 months but hoping that uc see my part time work as a start and intent to pick up more hours after.

@Victoria I’m not really sure, they can’t make you look for work until baby is 3 and then they make you look for work and I’ve been unemployed since last June and now they’re increasing their efforts for me to get a job. I’ve shown them so much willing and I do want to go back to work, it just seems unfair when there isn’t anything where I am and nurseries aren’t open long either

@Amy I know I wish I could, she absolutely loves the nursery she’s in at the moment and I’d hate to take that away from her and the ones that are open longer are just miles away

To be honest I've already decided that when she goes to nursery I will pack in childminding. I don't mind working at all as long as it makes me happy and doing it while working with my daughter is obviously a massive perk. But before I had her I was quite depressed, I used to be a teacher and packed in to spend time with my first and I just didn't enjoy it even though the money is pretty good. If I can get a nice group of children in the higher funding category and pass my next inspection I'll be laughing. Be on way more than I'd get from uc anyway and still able to do school drop offs and pick ups.

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