Quitting work to care for ASD 12 year old

[bluebell2389]

I’m in a bit of a pickle and unsure what to do. I’ve had a meeting at work as I currently have to take my ASD child to school 9.30-10.30 (that’s her agreed timetable with the local authority) and leave work at 4 to collect my other child at 4.30. I’ve been working from home 8-9am and 5-6 to make up the hours.

work have said it’s not sustainable and they want me to complete my full hours in the office which is not achievable (I work 37 hours a week). I’ve only been in the job 6 months and still on probation, I left my job in the NHS to work in her school, then pulled her out of the school as they could not support her with her SEN needs and now she attends another school with an SEN provision.

They aren’t budging and are very cold about the situation so I feel I need to resign.

I currently get DLA middle rate care for her, am I best applying for carers allowance until she’s able to attend school full time? As I don’t really know what else I can do if work aren’t being supportive (I work in a school ironically).

school are building up but it could be a year before she’s in full hours but I worry if I can cope financially.

any advice would be appreciated

That’s a shame, particularly if you are managing to work all your hrs just flexibly. I would ask what exactly isn’t working and sustainable. Would it be sustainable if it was only the morning and your other DC was in some form of after school care?

Could you request some parental leave to give you some breathing space?

You would be able to apply for carer’s allowance. If you don’t already receive it you may also be eligible for UC.

Does DC receive transport? Is the LA providing other provision other than the 1 hour a day? They should be.