I feel I can't leave the job I hate because I need to provide for my child.

I'm stuck in a job I hate but I have a two year old daughter so feel I have no choice but to stay. I feel totally trapped and the more I think about it, the less I feel I can do about it. Can you help? Do I have any options?

A lot of people feel they are trapped in their jobs, especially with the pressure of mouths to feed and bills to pay. It's common to think about quitting. People in this situation often feel they don't have the time or the energy to find a new job, least of all go through a potentially tricky application and interview process.

In order to make a change, it can really help to think about what your long-term goals are. It might help to think through what you like and dislike about your current job. Do you dislike what you do on a day-to-day basis? Are you motivated by the people you work with? Or is it the fit with family life that isn't working? Think about whether you want to stay in the same line of work or if you want a complete career change and what you want from a job. It might take some soul-searching but when you have a good idea of where you want to be and what you want to do, you can then work out how you're going to get there, as well as managing everything else.

Whether you decide to stay in the same sort of job or take a completely new direction, training might help you take the leap. This may feel like a colossal task, but if you can stick with your current job for security, then there is no reason you couldn't do a long distance learning course to gain the qualifications you require. Doing this type of course will require you to be disciplined and to make time to study at home, but it could open up all sorts of opportunities for you.

There are other options that may help you change your career, some colleges have childcare facilities, so your child can be cared for while you are studying. So if you do decide to start a course it's worth checking with the college to see what childcare provision they have.

You may also be entitled to some financial assistance while you study; there are some government grants to help people in these types of situation. The Care to Learn grant helps students under 20 years old pay for childcare costs while they study. If you're over 20, then you may be able to get an Adult Learning Grant to help with the cost childcare while you study.

If you decide you'd like to do a degree at a university, then you may also be eligible to apply for a student loan, in addition to getting help from the government with childcare costs. If you have a university course in mind, and know which university you want to study at, then you can also contact them to see what childcare facilities they have on campus for students with children.

There are other ways to retrain; some jobs offer a bursary to help you with living costs while you study, teaching and nursing are just two examples. If nothing else, then you may be eligible for a Career Development Loan to help you with your course and living costs while you study.

The cost of a course can often be a barrier preventing people from learning, so for further information on courses and funding possibilities it would certainly be worth contacting the Careers Advice Service on 0800 100 900 . You could talk to one of the Career Coaches there who can advise you on what options are available to you as well as possible funding.

Above all, don't feel that you are stuck with no options. It may be tough for a while if you go back to studying, but it won't be forever. You should find that working towards a goal that you see as positive and interesting is energizing and can help you move forward.