Not sure whether to put this here or in special needs but - work focused interview when on carer's alllowance and income support? Going today...

[aSilverLining]

Anyone had one of these in my situation?

Have been on income support and carer's allowance since November when I became a single parent. DS is 5 and autistic.

I miss working but we get by and DS won't settle in childcare - he doesn't even settle in school and I was consderin pulling him out! Urgh. Will see what they say when I get there I guess, just wondered if anyone else in similar circumstances had been to one fo these??
I suppose the holy grail would be a job that fit in with my commitments to DS with an employer that didn't mind me attending appointments and so on, an excellent affordable childcarer where DS was happy, and a job that paid well enough that I wasn't worse off working. Possible?

just tell them all that. list all the appointments you have for him,etc.

research carefully before pulling him out of school ... getting the school/LEA tow ork with teh child so he can go to school may be a better long term option - tho speak to others eg home ed networks etc who have home schooled etc

Wasn't too bad. Apparently I am exempt from having to seek work but still have to attend an interview every six months which is more than fine by me - I am so grateful for the benefits we receive, don't know how I would have managed without them. I have always worked and feel quite embarassed sometimes when I tell people I am not working. I do want to go back to work at some point (and will be slightly better off when I do) but it will be when the time is right.

These interviews are just the 'procedure'. You will be exempt until your circumstances change. Which it seems unlikely that they will but you may find you have more childcare options further down the line.

Yes that's what I am hoping gillybean, that DS either comes on to an extent that childcare would be an option, or a job opportunity came along that fitted in with DS eg school hours with an understanding employer. {optimist}

I would be better off financially working and it would do me good so I hope I can go back out to work in the future.