Lone Parents

We have created a special area for Lone Parents on Mum and Working - inspired by the huge response we have had about work that is suitable for one parent familes.

Business Start-Up - Debi Berry

Debi worked for the Department of Work and Pensions for 20 years, but found it virtually impossible to happily balance work and home life - due to long hours, stress etc. She has recently taken voluntary redundancy and is now in the process of setting up her own business.

The Interview

Name - Debi Berry

Location - Chacewater, Cornwall

Family - daughter, Sian (10 years old).

Job title: Training to set up my own business

What is your background?

I have worked for 20yrs with the same employer, Department for Work and Pensions. When Sian was born I was still Living in London, working in a Jobcentre as Deputy/Acting Manager. I returned to work when she was 4 months old, working full time. At the time I was still with my husband and he stayed at home to look after Sian. I have to admit even with her Dad at home my family life was not good as the hours were long, the work very stressful and I wanted to be at home. Part time hours were not available!

I returned to Cornwall when Sian was 18 months and became a lone parent when she was 31/2 yrs old.

I continued to work full time but as I lived in Truro and my office was in St Austell, I had to request a move to the Truro office. Before they could find a 'space' for me I had to put Sian into a local nursery and be collected at 5:30 by a neighbour as I was always late home due to trains. I was lucky to have a childminder as a neighbour.

Once I had moved to the Truro office I was able to take and pick Sian up from the Nursery. I was unable to reduce my hours as I could not afford to and work would not allow me to. Once Sian started school she attended the breakfast club and the evening club at her school.This is ideal when your children are younger, up to age 8, but after that it is not stimulating enough for them.

When Sian was nearly 8yrs, I requested a reduction in hours. Because of the job I was doing at the time, IT repairs/problem solving, My district Manager would not allow me to do this for longer than 12 weeks! I had to prove my work could be completed in less hours but at no point was there a reduction in my work. The work policy at the time (and still is) was 'work life balance', but sadly that did not affect most of us. I was able to reduce my hours permanently to 30hrs once I had attended an occupational Health assessment who stated in his report that this was a requirement.

What lead to you taking redundancy?

I took voluntary severance in April this year as I could no longer work 30hrs a week and look after my daughter, the house etc... Everything just seemed to be rolling each other and I never had enough time for Sian. She suffered as I was constantly tired, ratty etc..

What childcare do you use/have you used in school holidays?

Up to Sian being 8 years old she was in school for a full day, and went to breakfast and after school club. When she turned 8 I reduced my hours to take her and collect her from school, no lunch breaks!

I managed school holidays by sending her to the after school club which was open all day, with different activities on a daily basis. I mixed this with my own holiday time and my parents helped out due to cost. When she was 8 I began sending her to Truro college/leisure centre activity days/weeks. I mixed and matched this care with other parents so we all covered our work and annual leave.

Have you found employers have been understanding if your daughter was ill? or if you have to attend a school event?

I have been lucky that my daughter is rarely sick but even the days I did take were frowned on. I was asked what emergency childcare I had to cover for this. My reply was always the same, I was the emergency childcare and if my daughter needed me then she had me. If she had an ongoing illness then I would be allowed 1 days special leave then I could choose to take further days as unpaid or use my Annual leave. I usually chose unpaid so that school holidays were covered with Annual leave. As for school events, thankfully the school notifies you at the beginning of every term of the dates so you can request time off. Cant always get it but that's the same for every employer.

Why did you decide to start a business rather than return to employment?

I have applied for numerous jobs since April and even with a great CV, good references and 20yrs experience, I was not getting anywhere!

I decided to start my own business to try to gain more control over my life, my hours worked and the time spent at home with my daughter. I am still in the planning stage and know it is going to be extremely difficult to keep my hours down at the beginning. I am very lucky to have supportive parents but not everyone is in that situation. I am returning to college in Sept for 30 weeks, 2 days a week, for training within my field, I will have to try to find childcare for these days as I will not finish before Sian.

As I am no longer in Truro, It is going to be difficult as Sian is at School in Truro but needs to be brought home to Chacewater. I think it is really going to be down to friends and family.

What business course did you do?

I received training for self employment via the Lone parent New Deal scheme at the Jobcentre. It is definitely worth attending as it not only gives you a VERY eye opening experience of what is involved and what you need to consider, but also an NVQ level 3 which is great for any CV!

Any advice for lone parents who haven't worked for a while, but would now like to get a job? or are hoping to move to a more flexible career?

The only advice I can give any single parent is, don't give up, keep positive. Get ALL the help you can from every source you can, you'd be amazed at what is out there. Don't be afraid to ask for help from family, friends, other parents when it comes to helping with your children, there are a lot of parents, singles and couples, who would appreciate having the chance to mix and match holidays so they do not have to pay for childcare.

For more information about the New Deal Scheme please visit - www.www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk