Where to find childminder for 14yo boy with autism??

[hopingforbettertimes]

Hello, My boyfriend has a 14yo autistic son who he has every second week and he is desperately trying to find help on 2-3 evenings (e.g. 3.30-7pm) on those weeks so that he can work. Any advice on what options he may have for childcare (if any!) and where he could start looking would be really appreciated. Have looked on Childcare.co.uk and Care.com. He has no family he can rely on and I live an hours drive away and work full-time which limits what I can do. If he can't sort this, he is worried he will lose his job. Thanks.

Which part of this situation is new? Has he just started having his son to stay or has he just started a new job?

Can he ask at the school? Or if his DS mum uses anyone?

does he go to any clubs after school or in holidays that might have staff looking for work?

Try care agencies, see if his SW can help with payment

Ring a few local childminders. My DS went to a childminder after school till 14 and she was lovely. She had the little ones too but she made sure there were fun things for DS like Xbox and playing with the dogs, good snacks etc.

Contact your local council’s family information service, they’ll have a list of childminders/after school care.

He needs a care assessment to see if son eligible for children's social worker and direct payments to support paying for care.
Highly unusual for a childminder to accept a 14 year old - no after school clubs?
Direct payments would contribute towards funding a one to one carer in own home.

What area are you in op? I am on that childcare website as a babysitter!

Put an advert on childcare.co.uk ; people browse looking for suitable jobs

It’s a nanny arrangement you’re probably looking for, in his own home, rather than a childminder (in their home) or babysitter (more casual).

Its really difficult. Social services might help advertise for a care assistant.

Tell him to go to the local carers car fee they may be able to help him. Also contact the social service children with disabilities team they may be able to help
With direct payments. Also a thought would be to contact the local school for children with sen and ask them to put a notice in their staff room, I find a lot of the TAs often take on other work and obviously would be experienced with children with additional needs. Where in the country are you based?

Local authority will have a list of local childcare. I do think you may struggle to find one that will take a 14 year old or work till 7pm but it's worth checking. You can ring family hubs or disabilities team in you local council for advice. Speak to school incase they offer wrap around care. You could look for a part time nanny although that will be more expensive.

I agree with @TomDaleysCardigan he needs to ask the council for a carers needs assessment. Where we are, the council will pay towards childcare for children with disabilities if the parents are at work. We have a nanny who helps us out after school. She is brilliant. Found her by advertising on childcare.co.uk you might also want to look into PAs (personal assistant) . They could take him out to see his friends or so an activity he would enjoy.

We have more of a problem in school holidays, where there is absolutely nothing available and it would be too expensive to get a nanny.

We have two autistic sons and employ two carers to help look after them in the holidays - found them through one of the schools. We get direct payments/funding following a carers assessment so worth trying this.

@Hellocatshome all of it is new really. He only finally got 50/50 during Covid and has just started his first full time job since the situation changed.

Would have thought his son will need consistency- either a carer that his mum uses, or his dad at home with him
After school?

@hopingforbettertimes Ah, if he had been with his employer for a while I was going to suggest he put in a flexible working request which allowed him to be home with his son in the evenings.

Yes - exactly! I have no children so have no idea what to ask for but this makes it much clearer for me. Thank you!😃

What he needs kind of depends on the child's needs.

My son has ASD and at 14 was safe to get home himself but couldn't settle down to homework or be trusted with stuff like getting out of the house or making food. Other kids with more serious needs might need complete supervision and pick up.

I advertised on the local university employment services for a teen sitter, explaining what his needs were. We got someone wonderful. However, for someone with more complex care needs this wouldn't be sufficiently robust as an arrangement.

Unfortunately he is only going into week 4 and is already worried he is going to get disciplined as he was due to be in office today but was let down at last minute. He feels like giving up but I am trying to keep his spirits up and find a solution - hence being here with no idea what I am talking about. 😄But going forward think he will need to sit with them and discuss expectations. Every 2nd week is not a problem as boyfriend is with me so he can go into office every day. They expect him in office 8/10 days (although in first interview it was stated to be 7/10), so that means 3/5 days in the office on the weeks he has his son which is a little tricky as he has to travel to work (as its nearer me).

The mum has family she can rely on so doesn't use a carer and unfortunately there is no afterschool care/clubs at his school.

Our primary school has a classroom assistant that does this kinda thing. Looks after late teen twins boys after school, in holidays. Maybe fire off a few emails to local schools?

I have just spoken with him and he is of the understanding he cannot get a carer needs assessment/direct payment as his ex is in receipt of all benefits/is seen as primary carer even though they are 50/50.

Which part of the country are you in? I have details of somebody near Derby if that would help?