Going out to work is not as simple as it may seem for lone parents, despite new Government policies. Mary Evans examines the issues and lists some of the support on offer
The Government's pledge to provide full-time childcare places for every lone parent entering employment in the most disadvantaged areas by 2004 is one of its three key goals for the national childcare strategy.
But some campaigners for lone parents feel that they are being put under pressure to work and more emphasis should be put on giving them the support and encouragement to choose when they feel it is right for them to go out to work.
Annie Oliver, information officer for the national campaign group Single Parent Action Network (SPAN), says, 'I think lone parents are being pressured. I don't agree with divide and rule. Why is the emphasis on childcare places for lone parents in the most disadvantaged areas? Why is it not on help for all families in disadvantaged areas?'
Alison Garnham, Director of Policy, Research and Information at the National Council for One-Parent Families says, 'Research shows that something like 90 per cent of lone parents would like to work at some point. When that point is depends upon the individual, the age of the children and what support they have. Lone parents suffer from a lot of bad press and they feel terribly conscious about doing the right thing.'
She complains about prejudice towards lone parents and points to the statistics - that three million children are cared for by single parents, they make up one in four families and only 3 per cent of lone parents are teenagers.
'Some lone parents think they should not go out to work until their children have reached a certain age. There is good research saying that Afro-Caribbean mothers think that working full-time is the best way they can provide for their children, whereas white working-class mothers don't. It is a cultural perception of their role as mothers.'
Ms Garnham says many lone parents prefer to leave their children with a family member as the next best carer to themselves, rather than make formal arrangements. They then do not qualify for help with childcare costs unless the carer is registered, for example as a registered childminder.
'Anecdotally we have evidence that it is quite difficult for grandmothers to register as childminders because of the long waiting times for applications to be approved by social services departments.'
A significant barrier to work which lone parents have to overcome is to organise out-of-school or wrap-around care. Ms Garnham says parents on Working Families Tax Credit can face having to fill gaps in childcare provision. The benefit is only available to low-income parents working 16 hours a week or more. From 2004 the Government is offering free nursery education for every three-year-old, but for only 12.5 hours a week.
Ms Oliver adds, 'If parents are going to get good jobs, what do they do about picking up the children? There aren't many decent jobs that finish at 3.30pm.'
Another problem facing lone parents is how to arrange emergency cover in the event of sickness. Mother-of-two Monica Byrne, of Bristol, says, 'I have a girl aged seven and a boy aged three and have not had a job for seven years. I've been doing voluntary work a couple of times a week, which has helped build my confidence and update my office skills. It has gone well but in the last few weeks there has been a virus we have all had. I worry about how I'd manage if I had a job. The schools and nurseries here won't have them if they are on antibiotics.'
A lone parent's guide to work and childcare
Around 90 per cent of lone parents say they would like to go out to work at some point, according to Alison Garnham, Director of Policy, Research and Information at the National Council for One-Parent Families.
When that point is reached depends upon the circumstances of each individual. Below is a guide to the help available for single parents on overcoming the barriers to work.
Where do I start?
- The New Deal for Lone Parents helps lone parents off social security benefits and into work. It is targeted at people claiming Income Support whose youngest child is in school (aged over five years and three months.) Parents with younger children at home can apply.
- The scheme is voluntary, but from next month (April 2001) it will be compulsory for lone parents on Income Support to attend an interview with a New Deal Personal Adviser, usually at the local Jobcentre. About 80 per cent of lone parents attending interviews have joined the scheme.
- Your personal adviser will give help and advice on job-hunting, becoming self-employed, benefits, education, training, and childcare.
- You may get help with childcare costs when attending New Deal interviews, job interviews and training arranged by your personal adviser. The suggested amount is up to 70 per week for one child and 105 per week for two or more children.
- You can also get help with the fees for a training course arranged by your personal adviser if the course lasts no longer than one year and will significantly increase your job prospects. The maximum available is usually 500.
How do I find childcare in my area?
- Your local authority, either the education or social services department, has lists of local childcare providers.
- Childcare vacancies are often advertised in local libraries, schools and sports centres.
- Your health visitor should know about the childcare options in your district.
- If you are new to the area and do not know where to ask, contact Choices in Childcare (tel: 0114 276 6881) for details of your nearest branch of Childcare Information Services. The Daycare Trust (tel: 020 7739 2866) can put you in touch with your local under- eights adviser.
Will I be better off?
- Your adviser, who will carry on helping you when you start training or working, will be able to do a 'better-off' calculation to see whether taking a particular job will make you better off financially.
- If you work 16 hours or more a week you may be entitled to Working Families Tax Credit, which from April will be paid through your wage packet. Your adviser can help get your claim for WTFC speeded up.
- The amount depends on the number and ages of your children and how much you earn, but you can only get help with childcare costs if the childcare is formal such as a registered childminder, nursery or out-of-school club. The tax credit pays 70 per cent of the costs up to 100 for one child or 150 for two or more children.
How will it affect maintenance from my ex-partner?
- Working Families Tax Credit does not take account of maintenance for your children when calculating your income.
- Contact your local social security office to see if you can claim Child Maintenance Bonus, which is a one-off payment of up to 1,000, for people who receive child maintenance and leave benefit to start work.
Won't there be a gap between coming off benefits and getting my first pay cheque?
- Lone Parent Run-on aims to help you manage until your first payday by providing an extra two weeks benefit for people who have been getting Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance where those benefits would normally cease because of work.
- From April you may also claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. The run-on is available for four weeks after starting work.
Further information
- Taking the plunge: a guide for lone parents on getting into work is available free of charge from the National Council for One-Parent Families (Freephone 0800 018 5026).
