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Summer 2008: Q&A
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August 2008
The school holiday means extra time to spend with your family, but it can also mean extra pressures for parents who are bringing up children on their own. You may be used to preparing for this time of year and the arrangements you will need to make, or this might be your first summer as a lone parent. Whatever your situation, we hope you find the following information helpful.
Q. What can I do to sort out my childcare arrangements while my kids are not at school?
A. You may need to arrange new or extra childcare for the holidays. To find out about what childcare is available in your area, contact your Children's Information Service - see www.childcarelink.gov.uk - or call 0800 2346 346 for details of your local one.
Your children may want to spend extra time with their other parent and/or relatives during the holidays. Work out when extra contact can take place and what will work for everyone involved, especially your child. Planning in advance for all holiday periods and special dates can help reduce the chance of upset or disagreements and make holiday time easier for your child. If your child can spend extra time with their other parent or family members, this may help to reduce the amount of additional childcare you need to use.
Remember to check if you qualify for help through Working Tax Credit for the costs of childcare during the holidays, including activity based childcare (for example, a play scheme). Check with the provider if they are registered with Ofsted in England, or the Welsh Assembly in Wales. If you start using childcare, or your childcare costs (or your average costs for the whole year) increase by £10 a week or more for more than four weeks running, you may be entitled to an increase in your Working Tax Credit. Report the change within three months of the increase or you may lose out. If your childcare costs (or your average costs for the whole year) go down by more than £10 a week for four weeks running, you must tell the Tax Credit Office within one month. For more information or advice about this call the Lone Parent Helpline on 0800 018 5026.
Q. How can I make sure I don't spend too much extra money over the summer?
A. Try creating a budget, taking into account any additional costs you may have during the holidays. For example, if your child normally receives free school meals, this means an extra expense when they are at home. See our Holidays 2008 factsheet for information about where you might be able to get extra financial help. Also, remember that if you are in an emergency situation, where not having any money (for example, for food or fuel) would cause a risk to the health and safety of you or your children, you can apply for a Crisis Loan at your local Jobcentre Plus office - call 0800 055 6688.
Keeping children occupied through the holidays is not always easy and you may worry about finding extra money for activities and trips. Find out about any activities that are being run locally: your local newspaper, library or community centre should have details of these. Some activities may be free or subsidised, so that you only have to pay a small fee. Take advantage of family tickets or other discounts at attractions by joining up with another one parent family or other friends. And remember, parks and some museums are still free!
Q. Can I get any extra financial help to cover the costs of the holidays?
A. Some charities will provide funding for families in order for them to have a holiday or attend activities during the summer break. To find out about possible funding from charities, see our Holidays 2008 factsheet. Also, if you are at university, your Student Support will not cover you for the summer holiday and you may be entitled to Income Support and an increased amount of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. For more information about benefits and tax credits call the Lone Parent Helpline on 0800 018 5026.
Q. My child has additional needs. Are there any organisations that can offer specialised help over the summer?
A. If your child has a disability or additional needs, you may need to find an organisation or scheme that caters specifically for them. There are organisations that can provide specialist holidays for children with a disability and advise about transport. For more information see our Holidays 2008 factsheet. Remember it is unlawful for service providers to discriminate against disabled people and they are required to ‘make reasonable adjustments' to enable disabled people to use their services.
Q. Do I have to tell the other parent if I take our child abroad?
A. If you have sole Parental Responsibility, you do not need the consent of the other parent to take your child abroad. If you have joint Parental Responsibility you will need the consent of anyone else with Parental Responsibility, unless you have a Residence Order. If you have a Residence Order for your child, you can take them abroad for up to a month without the consent of anyone else with Parental Responsibility. For more information, call the Lone Parent Helpline.
Q. This is my first summer coping as a single parent. How can I make it easier for myself and the kids?
A. Whether or not this is your first holiday time since becoming a lone parent, you may feel that holidays can make can you feel lonelier and more likely to think about the changes you and your family may have been through. It can help to talk to friends and family about your thoughts and feelings. You may also like to make contact with other lone parents - find out if there are any lone parent groups in your area by calling the Lone Parent Helpline on 0800 018 5026. For information about Gingerbread Groups and Lone Parent membership call our Membership Team on 0800 018 4318 between 9am and 1pm, Mondays to Fridays.
Spending more time with your children during the summer holidays can also be a strain. It is important that you remember to take some time for yourself. You may be able to do this when your children are out with their friends or perhaps when they are spending time with their other parent or relatives. Plan what you will do and treat any extra time you have as an opportunity to do things for yourself. If you need some general advice on parenting, call Parentline Plus on 0808 800 2222 or see www.parentlineplus.org.uk
If you want to go on holiday but worry that it might be too expensive and lonely without the company of other adults, ask your family, friends, or your children's friends' parents about going on holiday together. Alternatively, there are organisations that provide holidays specifically for one parent families, where you can enjoy a holiday with others in the same situation as you. See our Holidays 2008 factsheet for details of useful organisations.
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