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Lone parents, work and learning

Many lone parents would love to get back into work and learning. But, the practical issues of time, money and childcare often get in the way. This is particularly true if you don't know where to find the information and support you need to get started.

Here we introduce you to some organisations providing relevant information and advice.

Getting back into work or learning is worthwhile in so many ways. It could help to:

  • boost your confidence after time away from work or study
  • kick-start your social life
  • improve your work-related skills
  • improve your qualifications
  • help you get into a better paid job.

One Parent Families Scotland

One Parent Families Scotland (OPFS) is a national voluntary organisation, providing a wide range of information and support services to lone parents. They also run the free National Lone Parents Helpline at 0808 801 0323.

You can also contact OPFS at:

One Parent Families Scotland
13 Gayfield Square
Edinburgh
EH1 3NX
Tel: 0131 556 3899
E-mail: info@opfs.org.uk
Web: www.opfs.org.uk/

OPFS produces a wide range of useful guides and factsheets. The following factsheets are particularly relevant and can be downloaded free from the OPFS website:

  • Further Education and Training
  • Educational Trust Funds
  • Money for Lone Parent Full-time Students Entering Higher Education
  • Childcare.

The OPFS website also has an 'Engagement and Employability' section which gives information on a number of programmes and projects designed to help lone parents to return to work or learning.

Barclaycard Horizons - a return to work programme for lone parents living in Glasgow,  including a two-week work experience placement. Contact the programme at: Choices, 100 Wellington Street, Glasgow G2 6HD (Tel: 0141 847 0444) for more information.

Horizons Educational Fund - funded by Barclaycard and managed by Family Action this educational fund is available to lone parents throughout the UK. You can apply for a grant of between £500 to £1,000 if you meet the eligibility criteria. The grant can be used for:

  • tuition, enrolment, examiniation or registration fees
  • course costs such as books, equipment, travel and childcare
  • computer equipment and software (up to £500).

Applications must be made between 1 to 31 July 2011. Complete the online application form and get more information at Your Horizons.

Marks & Start Lone Parents Return to Work Programme - a return to work programme  for lone parents in Edinburgh and the Lothians, also including a two-week work placement. More information is available from One Parent Families Scotland, 13 Gayfield Square, Edinburgh EH1 3NX (Tel: 0131 556 3899). 

101 Project - formerly the Dundee Project and based in Whitfield the project offers a wide range of services to lone and young parents to support them towards learning, training, volunteering or paid work. You can find out more by contacting them at: The 101 Project, 101 Whitfield Drive, Dundee DD4 0DX (Tel: 01382 501 972).

Fife Gingerbread in Leven have a Student Support Service with a support worker to help lone parents who are interested in going back to learning. For information contact them at: Fife Gingerbread, Argen House Annexe, Commercial Road, Leven, Fife, KY8 4QX (Tel: 01333 303124; E-mail: info@fifegingerbread.org.uk or Web: http://www.fifegingerbread.org.uk/)

Braes Children and Families Centre, 68-70 Forgie Crescent, Maddiston, Falkirk, FK2 0LZ runs adult learning, information and advice services. (Tel: 01324 711271; E-mail: info@opfsbraes.org.uk) 

Skills Development Scotland - Careers Scotland

Careers Scotland advisers provide an all age guidance service to help people make appropriate decisions about career and learning choices.

Contact their free phone helpline at 0845 8 502 502 for information and advice, or to make an appointment to speak to an adviser at your nearest Careers Scotland centre.

Careers Scotland: http://www.careers-scotland.org.uk/
Skills Development Scotland: http://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/

Skills Development Scotland - Learndirect Scotland

Learndirect Scotland provides the freephone national guidance helpline on 0808 100 9000.  

On their website, they provide information and advice on learning opportunities, including information on funding and childcare: Web: http://www.learndirectscotland.com/

You can download a free copy of their booklet 'Helping you meet the costs of learning and training' from the site.

Colleges

Local colleges of further education run a wide range of courses, from part time leisure courses to full time courses leading to formal qualifications, including Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs). Some colleges are also able to offer degree courses, usually in partnership with a local university. Your nearest college may even be offering courses in your local community: in libraries, community centres or flexible learning centres.

And you may be able to study by flexible or distance learning, so that you can fit your learning around your other commitments. You can also contact the college's Student Advisory Service to find out more about how you could fund your studies and what your options are for childcare.  See our articles on 'Funding part time study', 'Funding full time further education' and 'Funding full time higher education' for more information.

Many colleges run courses specifically for adult students. These may include:
  • 'Adult Returners' courses for people returning to education after a long break.
  • ‘Access’ courses for students who want to go into higher education;
  • refresher courses for those who want to update their work skills; and 
  • courses for people who are unemployed.

PlanIT Plus has links to all of the colleges in Scotland and information on their full time and part time courses, so why not take a look.

Universities and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)

Many Universities and HEIs also run courses especially for adult students. These include:

  • Access courses (as above)
  • part time university pre-entry courses
  • adult and continuing education courses.

Although most degree courses involve full time study some can be studied part time during the day, when part time students join full time student classes. There are also part time evening courses, a few Saturday courses and some summer courses.

Part time university courses may be free to those who are unemployed or in low paid work. Contact the Universities for details.

And, don't forget about the Open University, where degree courses can also be studied part time by supported open learning. This requires no attendance at classes.

College and University Childcare Funds and the Lone Parents Childcare Grant (LPCG)

Students who are eligible can apply to their college or university for help with formal or registered childcare costs through their institution's Childcare Fund.  Higher education students must be attending a full time course and have claimed Child Tax Credits and the Lone Parents Grant from the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS). Funds are limited, are made at the discretion of the institution and are based on an assessment of need.

From 2011-2012, eligible lone parents studying at either college or university will also be able to apply to their institution for the Lone Parents Childcare Grant (LPCG), a payment of up to £1,215 a year towards formal registered childcare costs. Eligible lone parents are entitled to the LPCG, which is not income assessed.

Contact your college or university for more information.

New Deal for Lone Parents

New Deal is a Government programme which aims to give unemployed people help and support to get and keep a job. There are different New Deal programmes for people depending on their circumstances. One of these is New Deal for Lone Parents.

You can join New Deal for Lone Parents if you are bringing up children as a lone parent, your youngest child is under 16 years of age and either you are not working or you are working less than 16 hours a week.  As part of the programme your personal adviser will give you information on training needed for particular jobs.

 For details of New Deal for Lone Parents in your area, contact your local Jobcentre Plus office.

You can also get further information from the Jobcentre Plus freephone helpline and from the Directgov website, as follows:
Tel: 0800 868 866
Textphone: 0845 606 0680
Web: New Deal for Lone Parents