An online survey among more than 1,000 lone parents in the UK has shown that over three-quarters (77%) of respondents who have gone back to work say that working has made them feel more independent and 73% felt more confident. The research was commissioned by Jobcentre Plus and carried out by One Parent Families, the national charity for lone parents and their children.
Those who took part in the survey were asked to compare their working lives to the time spent caring full-time for their children. Most agreed that the benefits of work went beyond just financial security, with over half (57%) of those back at work saying that work made them feel more satisfied with life generally.
Respondents who were working were particularly positive about the wider impact of work on their lives:
69% said it gave them a sense of identity 67% said work made them feel more sociable 65% said working gave them a sense of achievement
Those who were not currently working tended to agree. However, both groups cited childcare and flexible hours as a key issue when entering work, with 67 per cent of those currently in work, saying that they felt it had been difficult to find a job that fitted in with childcare or school hours.
Denise Nixon, a specialist Lone Parent Adviser at Jobcentre Plus, said, “Nationally, we help thousands of lone parents start work every month by helping them overcome the practical challenges they face. If you’re looking after a child by yourself but thinking about getting back into work, our Lone Parent Advisers can help you explore the options best suited to your situation. For example, they can provide information on Sure Start’s Children’s Centres or their Children’s Information Service. Alternatively, they can help you find work part-time, full time or jobshare and can advise you on training for the job you want.”
One Parent Families’ research also showed that most respondents found that the very experience of looking after children on their own had helped them to develop useful skills. Four out of five (81%) respondents who had returned to work said that caring for their children had helped them to become self-reliant, 79% said it had taught them to juggle lots of things at once and 69% said it had made them better at budgeting.
Chris Pond, chief executive of One Parent Families said, “We know that nine out of ten lone parents want to work when the time is right for them and their children and this survey shows that work can bring real benefits. But the survey also highlights the barriers to finding work that many lone parents face, and with which they need help and support. The voluntary New Deal for Lone Parents can provide this help, and avoids pressuring lone parents to take up work that may not be suitable for them.”
Whilst nearly half (49%) of respondents who were working said that having a job made them worry more about their children, 81% also thought that the fact that they had a job set a good example to their children. The majority of non-working respondents (79%) mentioned that reassurance that they would be better off with a job than on benefits, would be important in helping them think about work.
Denise Nixon of Jobcentre Plus said, “Going back to work can be a difficult step to make if you’re not sure about the financial impact it’s going to have on your family. If you’re in any doubt, pop into your local Jobcentre Plus where we can run a tailored calculation so you can see upfront how having a job could help improve your financial situation.”
To find your nearest Jobcentre Plus, log onto www.jobcentreplus.org.uk or if you’re looking for a job, call us on 0845 606 0234