Kids or no kids, £10ph for a 'mate' is rather a tall order - remember work is in short supply and career changees with a technical certificate but no experience are plentiful - you only have to look at how many people there are on this forum offering to work for free to see that.
I had to leave my office job to work in a restaurant because they wouldn't let me have time off for college, then I managed to get work as a 'mate' for £7.50ph, but that was before the credit crunch - now every man and his dog wants to become an electrician.
Put yourself in an employer's shoes - would you employ some 17 year old kid for cheap who you can train up the way you want but who you have to closely supervise, you for £10ph who has their own transport and can use their initiative but still needs guidance, or someone who can do the same as you but for £7.50ph, possibly someone who even has experience already and will need less supervision?
That's a difference of around £20 a day, or £100 a week for employing someone who hasn't got kids to feed.
I'm not saying it's impossible, but you're definitely at a disadvantage.