Flexible working

There are many different options these days for how and when people work.  Flexible working options are essential for people for whom full time employment is not suitable or possible.

This can be especially important for single parents if you are juggling raising a family alone whilst holding down a job. Some of the options you could consider are:

• 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

Discuss your work situation with other single parents