being evicted

[steffyo]

well, my ds was finally diagnosed as being autistic this came as a huge relief as previously had thought his behaviour was down to me being a bad mum! I have struggled with him, my husband and with working. I'm on 40mg of flux and see a psychiatrist. I've struggled for years to maintain a job, resulting in rent arrears and now eviction!
my husband's wanting us to get somewhere with pets - we have an elderly blind diabetic dog on his last legs! we are waiting for something with the council no joy! can't get an agent to take us as we are in arrears!
my first and only concern is my ds and facing b&b!
my marriage might be finished if I find a flat with no pets!
Ive contacted everyone I think and am so scared, can anyone help please

Oh you poor thing. That sounds incredibly tough.

What documentation on your ds' diagnosis do you currently have? I mean who diagnosed him and how long ago?

a place in Southampton adrc(?) it was this June he was diagnosed!
his becoming uncontrollable this summer and it's mainly due to the distracted stressed out over anxious mum (me).
I've cried in the council office ( drugs have prevented this before hand)

have given them ( council ) the confirmation of his diagnosis. medical review for banding next month, we have till 28th shelter adviser said we will have 6 wks left!
I am at my wits end and feel very alone.

thank you!

I talked face to face with the owners of our house they refused to change anything and the agents won't help and told me that no other agent would touch us either.

getting everything dla and ca. hb is in process as hubby was working until recently and we were told earnings were to high for a claim (on what planet?)

have no help from anywhere and no idea how to get any tbh.

council are helping in so much as, aware we didn't make this happen, will be reviewing our banding and telling me about once we are homeless b&b etc (helpful) I think if we have to go to b&b my marriage will survive and ds will be totally well who knows.

made an app with gp maybe he can help too??
all I wanted was to be there for my ds and keep him safe didn't see the bigger picture and now made it worse lesson to be learnt here think about if actions could make things worse in long run. if I had been stronger, coped better with him and gone to work ridden out the meltdowns and put him in breakfast club etc.........

so saw my gp, nothing he can do!
met with sw, very nice boost of confidence given and told no need for them to get involved doing a grand job with no cause for concern! also advised to sit right as it will all work out!
got someone legal coming on Tuesday to help and well what will be I guess will be can't control this!

one thing was said today and tbh scared me to the core...
if we find ourselves in b,&b it would be for 28 days while they investigate why we are homeless and if they find it was our intent then long and short ds could be in care and we out on our ear! scared me and was told unlikely but even to be told this is shocking enough! anyone know if that's right the nice sw said his not at risk of that but why scare someone by saying this'??

has anyone been in this position? autistic child in b&b homeless? all experiences please??

Steffyo, the homeless child in care thing is because if you are found intentionally homeless the only other legal duty owed to your family will be under s17 or s20 of the Children Act. Historically there was an opinion that social services could not accommodate families only children, so where a homeless family were intentional and couldn't find their own accommodation (eg live with family/friends) then the child(ren) of the family would be taken into care.

HOWEVER DO NOT PANIC, it is now standard for the choldren's services in local authorities to accommodate families, either by assisting into private rented or into accommodation used for homeless families. Some authorities still mention taking children into care to try and ensure families really look at all their options but given it costs roughly £2000 a week to place a child in care when you take into account all the associated costs it isn't something an authority wants to do unless they have to, finding a deposit and rent in advance is much cheaper!

thank you for the reassurance!!
well, got someone from civil legal advice tomorrow and have chewed the wotsits off the council for keep telling me different things!!

Aww Hun what a tough time.
Have you thought about seeing your local councillor and explaining your situation especially with your child being disabled. He/she might be able to put you up the list ;). (Worked for me)
Also the council offer you places quicker if you need a home due to ill health if being disabled. So you could try and fill one out, you would have up have a strong case, as to why you need council.
Also can you not claim housing benifet? And do you claim dla and careers allowance? Xxx

well councillor on his holbags so gone to mp he is writing to council to get answers for us! while on a high thought I'm nuts so do something nuts, called the local rag, a reporter is calling them to find out what they have to say!??
thank you for advice we have all benefits that exist! (hopefully)
it was not someone from civil legal it was a housing advisor and not alot said I hadn't already found out!
see what the days actions have........

ok so the latest...
our application for social housing has failed - we have rent arrears!
and there was me thinking that was exactly what it was for, those in hardship needing housing with a nonprofit scheme!!!
luckily or not, we have found a less than perfect place - drug/drunken loud neighbors in what can be fairly described as a cave (glazedfrontdoor and 2 windows 2 bedroom flat) yay!
got nowhere else now just hope we survive!!