Hello plus info on WTC and supply work please

[owl25]

Hi all, I am about to start supply teaching soon for the first time after time out to look after my two children. I found this forum yesterday and already have found lots of great advice.

I was just wondering if anyone on here claims Working Tax Credits while doing supply and if so, could tell me how it works? Particularly, if you do not manage to find 16 hours work in a week, what happens with the WTC? How do you inform the authorities about the amount of hours you are working, when they are going to fluctuate weekly? Do I just take a risk and arrange childcare for my children anyway and hope that there is enough work in my area? I am worried that I am going to end up in debt with large childcare bills and no earnings to pay them. Also, how many hours work in a day is supply work? Thanks so much in advance. I would really appreciate any advice anyone can give me.

[clarabelle]

Hi

Welcome firstly! Unfortunately I don't know much about WTC as I do not have children but I can imagine that having kids and doing supply would be pretty hard work as you do not know exactly when/if you're going to need childcare. However, if you do manage to get a
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of regular days a week (covering PPA, leadership, NQT time etc.) then that should be fine! I would discuss this with your supply agency and say that you are only interested in regular days. Why not get a part time permanent job?

[janeb]

Originally Posted by clarabelle
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I would discuss this with your supply agency and say that you are only interested in regular days. Why not get a part time permanent job?

...or maybe you could ask for pre-booked work only (if you're childcare arrangements can be flexible)?

ps hi from me too!
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[owl25]

Hi, thanks for the welcome and suggestions. I would love to find a part time job but there has been practically nothing advertised in my area so far. I thought that doing supply might be a good way to help with finding a job. I am going to stick to set days, but think I will have to start with only working one day to test the waters to see if there is much supply work available. Unfortunately my childcare isn't flexilble, I have to have a set contract so it is all or nothing. Though I must say that a few hours peace with my children being looked after by someone else (when the supply agency doesn't ring) is a nice change
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. What a shame I need to work for the money!

[clarabelle]

It's a right shame isn't it!!!!! Maybe arrange fixed days per week for childcare and let the agency know that those are the days you are interested in. Something will come up - it always does!!! At the beginning of Sept I only had 2 days a week (my part-time job) and now I am fully booked up til Xmas and from Jan-Jul have 4 days a week!!!!! I feel bad having to turn down the agency now as I have got my own supply work through contacting school direct which means I get my pension paid into with supply which is good too! I'm quite happy not working on Mondays though as it'll giv me a nice breather!!!!! I don't have kids yet by the way although I hope that changes next year if you know what I mean!!!!