Pauline Hope, mum of four from Witham is working 20 hours a week for Morrisons supermarket and loving every minute of it, thanks to the help she received from Lesley, her Jobcentre Plus Adviser.

Pauline said:

"Going back to work after 20 years of bringing children up on my own is the best thing that I've done in years. Being a mum is great, but as my youngest children have now reached 13 and 15, I decided it was time for me to take the plunge and do something for myself. It's so nice to be with adults and people of my own age as well as being financially better off."

Pauline was in receipt of Income Support and really didn't want to wait until she would need to claim Jobseekers Allowance before looking for work. So back in April, she arranged an appointment to see Lesley to discuss what help was available to her.

"I was pleasantly surprised at the help that was on offer. I hadn't worked for many years and even before having children I hadn't had much work experience and had left school without any qualifications. Although I knew I wanted to work, the thought of work was quite scary.

"Lesley was brilliant; she listened to my concerns, offered me encouragement and worked with me to come up with a personal action plan to help me achieve my goals."

Lesley referred Pauline to Seetec where she got help to prepare her C.V. and some advice on interview techniques. In addition, Lesley referred Pauline to training which allowed her to brush up on her maths and spelling. The training programme also allowed Pauline to undertake some work experience in a supermarket and gain confidence in the workplace.

Lesley was also on hand to provide Pauline with a series of examples to show how she would be financially better off in work and explained about the various financial incentives she would receive when she found a job.

When Pauline was ready to start her job, Lesley arranged to fast track her Working Tax and Child Tax Credits and organised for payment of the "In Work Credit" which is a tax free payment of £40 per week for a period of 52 weeks.

Pauline added:

"My children are pleased that I'm working as they are now at an age where they want some independence from me. I'm happier and we now have a little more money to go around. I just want to let other lone parents know what help is available, I didn't and I'm so glad that I approached Jobcentre Plus in the first place."

In addition to financial incentives, lone parents who have been claiming benefits for at least 26 weeks and start work of 16 hours or more may also be entitled to a one off payment of £250 and continued help towards their council tax, rent or mortgage to help with the smooth financial transition from benefit into work. And if they have dependant children, they may also be entitled to help with childcare.

Lesley said:

"Pauline is a prime example of how Jobcentre Plus and our partners help lone parents and unemployed people find work and become financially independent. Advisers are available to provide a personal in work benefit calculation and information on the financial benefits available when considering employment. I'm really pleased for Pauline and wish her every success in her new job and I urge any lone parents who are thinking about returning to work to contact a Lone Parent Adviser at their local Jobcentre Plus office."

More information on the help available to people seeking work.