Nursery World - In my view - Centres work on work

Parents on benefits have to be actively seeking work when their children turn seven; next year it goes down to five. I run a programme that helps parents find work, and many say they are not ready for employment at this point. Some believe their children are too young; most, however, are not confident in their abilities, their skills or their chances of finding a job in the current labour market.

But they will not have a choice when they find themselves on Job Seekers Allowance, as the regime is strict. You have to be available for work, so study becomes difficult. You have to be ready to take a job that may not meet your expectations or needs. And you have to apply for jobs every week in order to fulfil the Job Seekers contract.

This can be daunting after you have been at home with children for a long period. Just when you want to gain new skills, you are told you cannot. Even if the available jobs are not ones you want, you will still have to apply.

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