Leaving my job, Child with ASD

[Backupplanning]

Hi

I am struggling both mentally and physically. My child has ASD and Learning Disabilities. I work 4 days a week (2 weekdays, and the weekend) my husband works full time too.

I work from home on the weekends and had the support of my mum who would pop over and watch him whilst I worked. She has now taken a 2nd job so unable to do this. Have asked the in laws however they've said they can't help.

I don't want to leave my job, I enjoy what I do and it made me feel human again but I don't know how I can continue because i've tried to look for a childminder and when I mention my son has special needs and explain what they are, they say they haven't had much experience working with children with similar needs, or they'll charge loads for weekend care

If I was to leave my job, we wouldn't survive financially but I don't know how else to navigate this? I can't work Mon-Fri either because I couldn't find a childminder who would pick up my son from school and again, if I do find someone..they ask how my son is with other children and after that they refuse (rightfully so)

Would I be entitled to any help financially if I was to leave my job? As mentioned before my son is in FT education so I don't know if I can get carers allowance? We are in receipt of DLA and and UC

Thanks

what rate dla? If at least middle rate for care you can get carers and UC won’t make you look for work. Both myself and my dh are carers for our SEN dc. It’s hard but doable we are looking at it as a temporary measure and keep reassessing as otherwise it seems so bleak . I know how hard and exhausting it is

@Blueyellowroses thank you so much for your reply. It's middle rate care component (we only just got our 1st backdated payment last week) I wasn't aware we can apply for carers allowance if the child is in full time school? Thank you so much for letting me know

what type of school does he go to?

I too have a disabled child and currently work part time. Are you getting everything from UC that you are entitled to? There is a disabled child element, and a carers element. If you are unsure send them a message in your journal.

And yes you can definitely apply for Carers Allowance even though your child is in full time education. Worth being aware though that UC will deduct everything you get from Carers Allowance from your UC entitlement.

Your local council will have what they call a "local offer" of childcare respite etc that take disabled children. It's worth contacting them and getting the details.

There may be noting appropriate but it's worth asking.

Does your mum watch him on your weekend days? If so then if your husband isn't working then could he watch him?

Thanks all! He goes to a Mainstream school at the moment. We have reported the change recently on UC to request for the disability element so waiting to hear back on that

Husband works the days that I am off so we work the opposite days. When my mum would watch my son on the weekends, my husband would work as he's already taking the 2 days off in the week that I work

Its great to know we can still apply for Carer's allowance. Just had a talk with my husband who said maybe it's an idea for him to drop down to 3 days a week, and I continue my job and maybe he can claim for Carer's

You are only allowed to earn a very low amount to still get carers allowance. I would put the different options into a benefits calculator and see which leaves you better off.

Ah got you, thank you for the info. I will use the benefits calculator to see whats better for us

In a similar situation I had to switch to working nights. It was the only way I could work and still give ds what he needed