Relevant Info:
I'm a (now single) parent to two young people with Autism & ADHD & Dyslexia.
I got them through mainstream school (part time). College & Uni starts failed. (we still have that future option but without some real changes I cannot see them succeeding). I live rurally in Scotland & there's just NO support here.
There is very little work locally for young people & the jobs there are have travel / hours issues impossible for us to manage (ie 4am starts / 1am finish, no bus)
My hope is to start a small project that might one day employ them at least part time. I am VERY keen for them not to feel their future is on benefits and for them to have an active purpose in life, for their life to get bigger not smaller post 18.
There is a 'Repair/Recycle/Retail' community interest company in a local village that seems to be doing well. It currently pays one full time salary of 35K. My idea would be to replicate that elsewhere (as the person in charge is not Disability friendly sadly so we can't 'join in' easily even as volunteers for the experience)
Currently, I am their full time DWP appointed Carer so I receive UC & carers allowance. We all receive PIP (I have some physical disabilities). They dont yet get any income related benefits (I was hoping studying would work...) The idea would be that it starts up, any profits are put back into it until there is enough to begin to pay them. I would be a volunteer supporting them as their Carer.
Questions:
Can I move house in Scotland without it being considered a 'change of circumstances'? (might affect my UC as I moved across from legacy benefits) Can I start a small business if I do not hope to pay myself but only my young people? Have the rules around self employment / benefits changed ? My older YP has some savings. Could he use these to rent / buy a small shop (very cheap around here). I should be able to ask my local CAB this sort of thing but it is a. rarely open and b. when I've had to ask advice a couple of times before they have given wrong advice I later discovered. There is a great CAB 30m away but across the border so I don't qualify for advice there.
I am keen that we try to improve things. I like the idea of a community interest company that is involved in repair/retail/repurposing. It might provide them with part time jobs that would reduce our reliance on benefits & provide purpose.
Sorry for really long post. If anyone can advise or signpost I'd be grateful.?
(please, no 'benefit bashing' or 'just contact your local college who will be fab', I have tried the obvious options around here and they are genuinely limited)