Jobs for single mums

There are currently over 13,600 work-from-home vacancies in London alone, and tens of thousands more school-hours-compatible roles across the rest of the country.

As a single mum, you are not asking for special treatment when you need hours that fit around school runs — you are looking for what exists.

And in 2026, it does exist: care work, teaching assistant roles, virtual assistance, and customer service positions are all hiring specifically for 9–3 patterns. This guide cuts through the noise and tells you what actually works, what it pays, and what questions to ask before you say yes.

Best Job Types for School Hours

These three categories consistently work for single mums — because the hours, the pay, and the access are all real, not just advertised.

Care Worker / Home Carer is one of the most genuinely school-hours-compatible jobs available. Morning and early afternoon home calls — typically 7:30am to 2:30pm — fit neatly around the school day. Many local council care agencies specifically advertise school-hours patterns. No experience is required to start: a DBS check (usually covered by the employer), a genuine commitment to caring work, and a driving licence in most areas are the main requirements. Pay runs from £11.44 to £14/hour, and many roles now come with guaranteed hours contracts rather than zero-hours arrangements — always ask before accepting.

Teaching Assistant / School Support is the obvious choice for a reason: it is literally a school job. Teaching assistants, lunchtime supervisors, and school administrative staff all work term-time only, with school holidays off. A Level 2 or Level 3 TA qualification helps and can be obtained via a short part-time course, but is not always required for entry-level roles. Pay typically runs from £12 to £16/hour. The main challenge is competition — demand is high but so is the number of applicants. The best approach is to apply directly through local council websites, which list school vacancies separately from central job boards. Some councils also offer NHS-style pension contributions for school support staff.

Customer Service / Call Handler roles have shifted significantly since 2020. Many companies now hire specifically for 9–3 shifts, particularly US-based firms operating across time zones where UK school hours align well with their early morning requirements. No degree is needed — reliability, a clear speaking voice, and a quiet space at home are the main requirements for remote roles. Pay ranges from £11.44 to £13.50/hour for standard roles, with specialist financial services or technical support positions reaching £15–£18.

Find school-hours-compatible roles here:

• Reed.co.uk – Part-Time Jobs — Strong for care, admin and school support roles with location filters
• Mummy Jobs — UK job board curated specifically for flexible, family-friendly and school-hours roles
• Find a Job (DWP) — Government job board with verified listings, free to use, updated daily

Work From Home Options That Actually Pay

Remote work has genuinely expanded — but not every “flexible” listing means your kind of flexible. These roles have real earnings and real availability in 2026.

Virtual Assistant (VA) is the most flexible remote option for mums with admin, organisational, or communication skills. Tasks include email management, diary scheduling, data entry, social media management, and customer correspondence. Many VA roles are genuinely term-time only, particularly for sole traders and small businesses who don’t need cover during school holidays. Earnings range from £12 to £30/hour depending on the services offered and your level of experience — the higher end typically involves specialist skills like bookkeeping, project management, or technical support. Platforms like PeoplePerHour are a reliable starting point for finding initial clients.

Freelance Writing / Content Creation pays £15 to £50 per hour for experienced writers, with entry-level rates starting around £12–£15. The work is genuinely flexible — deadlines-based rather than shift-based — which makes it well suited to nap times, early mornings, or school hours. Building a consistent income takes three to six months, but once established it is one of the most adaptable roles available. A portfolio of three to five published or sample pieces is all you need to start pitching. Online Tutoring is particularly well suited to mums with teaching or subject expertise. Platforms like Tutorful connect tutors with students and handle payments and scheduling — typical rates run from £20 to £45/hour. Sessions can be booked around your availability, including during school hours for home-schooled children or after-school slots.

Social Media Management is increasingly accessible without formal qualifications — businesses need people who understand platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn and can create consistent content. Many small businesses hire part-time social media managers for 10–15 hours per week, making it a natural school-hours fit. Pay ranges from £12 to £20/hour, with experienced managers handling multiple clients earning considerably more on a freelance basis. A short course — many are free through Google Digital Garage or Meta Blueprint — builds the credibility needed to approach your first client.

Remote job boards for genuine work-from-home roles:

• Indeed UK – Remote Entry Level — Filter by remote + part-time for the most relevant results
• FlexJobs UK — Vetted remote and flexible job listings, scam-free and updated daily
• Mum Hours UK — Curated job board for mums, with flexible and remote roles only

Your Rights & Childcare Support

Knowing your legal position before interview changes what you ask for — and what you accept.

Since April 2024, you can request flexible working from day one of any employment. This is not a probationary privilege — it is a legal right. Your employer must consider the request seriously and respond in writing within two months. They can refuse, but only on specific business grounds, and they must explain their reasoning. Making this request at offer stage — not after you’ve started — is the most effective approach. Many employers will accommodate it if asked clearly and early, before patterns become established.

If you receive Universal Credit, you can claim back up to 85% of eligible childcare costs for children under 16, even while working part-time. This applies to registered childminders, nurseries, breakfast clubs, and after-school clubs. You do not need to be working full-time to qualify — part-time work counts. The childcare must be with a registered provider. Details and current rates are available at gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs. Tax-Free Childcare is a separate scheme available to working parents not on Universal Credit — the government tops up your childcare account by 20%, up to £2,000 per year per child (£4,000 for disabled children).

Before accepting any role, these are the four questions worth asking at every interview. First: are these hours guaranteed, or can they change? Many part-time roles advertise one pattern but rotate shifts in practice — get the answer in writing. Second: is there flexibility around school holidays? Some employers offer unpaid leave, annual leave top-ups, or remote options during holidays, but only if you ask upfront. Third: can I submit a flexible working request from day one? Since April 2024 you can — asking this question shows you know your rights. Fourth: do you offer salary sacrifice childcare schemes? Some employers operate these alongside Tax-Free Childcare — they can reduce your tax bill while covering childcare costs.

Jobs for Single Mums: Realistic Pay & Hours in 2026