Please please, any advice is welcome. Have posted this in chat too.

[howhar]

I have name changed because I don't want to be 'outed' but I am a reg mnetter.

My friend's DD is 16 and pregnant, she hasn't left school yet, but is keeping the baby. (She has only just had the pregnancy confirmed and is 7 months pregnant)

DD lives with her parents. There is 6 adults in a 4 bed house, plus there will be the baby.

Obviously, parents have 1 room, and the other rooms are shared out between the other 4 people living there.

I have looked on entitled to, but it appears the entitled to website does not cater for people under 18.

DD's father supports the whole household, and earns a decent wage, although the other adults either claim JSA or work part time.

How likely is it that DD can even apply for a social housing property near her parents?

What benefits will she be entitled to?

Has anyone brought up their DC as a teenage mum living with their parents and what advice or experience can you share?

My friend needs advice as to what help is available for her DD, so I am turning to you lovely mnetters for advice.

Friend is concerned that DD is going to struggle, but obviously wants to plan ahead and have an idea as to whether DD would be waiting a long time for a social housing property, and what her life is going to be like after the baby arrives.

Friend is concerned that her relationship with DD is going to change, since they are more like friends at the moment than mother and DD.

Friend wonders how much to help with night feeds and responsibility and how much to leave to DD, since DD will struggle.(DD is a very immature 16 year old.) Friend is happy to be the main child carer, but DD is going to leave school asap to look after baby.

(I can see power struggles between friend and DD, but having never been in this situation, I am not sure how this will turn out.)

Has anyone else been in this situation, or indeed lived with their parents and brought up their DC in their parents home?

Last, but not least, baby's father has refused to have anything to do with the baby or pregnancy, and DD and her b/f have recently split, but this boy is only 16 himself.

Any advice at all would be appreciated.

I think your friend`s daughter will be able to claim benefits through your friend since she is under 18 i think , thats what happened to my friends daughter, i dont know what happens about accomodation the midwife should be able to give her some information.hopefully mother and daughter relationship will not change if not will bring them closer as for being immature most of us grow up quickly when a baby comes into the picture.
hope all goes well for them trust me midwives these days although short staffed they do their best to help

i didnt mean aything about the short staffed bit i was going to say in addition she might be assigned a social worker to sort out housing situation and the health visitor will obviously be in touch within the next month before baby is born. Hopefully she will be able to go back to finish her education she will get help as well.

Thank you Chubbasmum.

I don't think it is in DD's plans to finish her education. She will have almost completed school by the time baby arrives, and will probably only return to sit GCSE's.

She has no desire to go onto further education. (None of the family has continued onto further education, and are all supported by friend's DH.)

I don't know where this girl lives, obviously, but is there any Sure Start service available? Sure Start covers all sorts of advice, including parent-and-baby/toddler groups in the area that are specifically for younger mums. Contact the local council and ask what the facilities/support groups specifically for younger mums are in the area. There will be something in the way of a social group/classes at least.

That sounds like a very good idea Solid.

Are surestart services expensive?

SureStart is free

Thanks Ladybiscuit

Would making an "immature" 16 year old child with a baby move out into her own place be the best idea?

At this time she needs support. I was 23 and in a relationship when we had DD and we barely managed. I can't imagine an immature 16 yr old coping at all.

Poor girl has a lot of growing up to do and fast.

Kids having kids. Scary