Helping you into work :Cross Stitch – Employment

At different times in your life you may need extra advice and support to help you into work. Whether you are a lone parent, disabled, leaving school or college, over 50, or simply out of work, there’s practical help available.

Jobcentre Plus has one of Britain’s largest databases of job vacancies, which is updated constantly. Thousands of new jobs are available every week. You can also look for voluntary work which can help you develop and learn new skills while you’re looking for a job.

There are many situations in which you could be looking for work, and everyone has different needs, skills and responsibilities. There are lots of different kinds of job out there, and a range of help available.

Important changes to benefits for lone parents

On 24 November 2023 changes were introduced to Income Support for certain lone parents. Once your youngest child reaches a certain age your entitlement to Income Support may stop if you’re only claiming it because you’re a lone parent.

Instead, with the support of Jobcentre Plus you will have to make a claim for another benefit. Also if you are able, you’ll be encouraged to look for paid work.

This is one of several changes to the benefit system to help people get the skills for work and move into paid employment.

Moving from school, college or university into work can be a big step. Even if you have a firm idea of where you want to be, the best way to get there is not always clear. But there are lots of opportunities and help available, including getting the experience you need and financial help for training.

If you’re out of work, it can take time to find another job, regardless of your age. However, there are specialist programmes, resources and information available to the over 50’s to help you find work or learn new skills.

If you can’t or don’t want to work full time, there are other options. Here are some examples:

• temporary work – you could work in a job for a set length of time, usually as part of a particular project or to fill in for a permanent member of staff
• part-time work – a good way to fit work around other responsibilities while getting money and experience
• flexible working – sometimes employers will agree to flexible working arrangements – this might mean choosing your start and finish times, or working longer hours on some days so you can take more time off
• term-time working – being off during the school holidays could be ideal if you have children and they are at school
• holiday working – a practical option if you’re still studying
• job-sharing – sometimes two people can share a single full-time job – look out for jobs advertised as job shares or, if you want to share a job with someone you know, you could always suggest the idea to your employer
• self-employment – working for yourself offers flexibility and the right type of challenge for some people, but you will take on extra responsibility – for example, paying your own Income Tax
• voluntary work – working without pay is one way to get work experience and find out more about an area that interests you

A Jobcentre Plus personal adviser can give you advice that’s based on your personal circumstances. They can help make sure that you get the support you’re entitled to. Your adviser might ask you to take part in an interview to work out how best to use your skills and experience. You will also find out if you can get financial help while you’re looking for work.

More useful links

Provided by Jobcentre Plus