Does anyone know of or can anyone point me in the right direction for help at home with my two children?
At the moment I am very reliant on my neighbour to take my daughter to and sometimes from school, especially during the winter where I struggle to get her to school on time. I am starting to worry a little bit about the coming year as when my son starts school it really wouldn't be fair on my neighbour to expect her to take both my children for me along with two of her own.
I've recently re-aaplied for DLA but am not hopeful and only got the lowest care component anyway. I can't apply for many of the benefits as they take into consideration my partners wage, which unfortunately leaves us floating on the middle ground, not qualifying for assistance anywhere and leaves us really struggling every month!
I have heard rumours about a Disabled Parents Allowance/Assistance (?) and wondered if anyone knew where I could go to find out if I'd qualify for any help? I am not sure of the process, where to begin or who to contact. I'm guessing I'd have to involve social services somewhere in all of this too?
Thanks for your help, Jo.
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emandedmum
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Does your school have a PTA, we had a situation similar to yours when my 2 were at school. one of the parents was ill with MS, and we set up a rota to pick up and drop off at school and return home, as it was spread around a few parents it never seemed too much to ask. I'm not sure how something like that would work with all the security we have in place, but it maybe worth asking the headteacher.
hi think your local council, cuts aside!! .or nhs may be able to help.. they have a homecare service this can be losely interpreted to include taking children to school or helping you get ready to take them..., this should be free??, not sure now maybe a small charge, I worked for a charity doing home care( i was paid whilst studying for my pharm qual), other people that do this and I dont know if they are in your area so forgive me (brunel care who I worked for, they will take small charge or use your carers allowance if you are eligible), cross roads care,. hope this waffle is if some use . ali xx
Hi Jo
Like the others have said you should be able to get help,and I would go to Citizens Advice Bureau. I know that Rich C on the NRAS website is very good on all of this, if you are registered with them? He might be able to say what is available to apply for. It would be nice if the PTA could help you. Good luck loverly, don't worry something will turn up.... x
No not registered yet, something to think about doing though when funds allow!
I have just come off a PTA after 12 years, youngest finally about to leave school! Almost certainly this idea would not be entertained. Any members directly involved with children have to be CRB cleared (to cover the school) but even with that there could be huge insurance issues, whether children are walked or taken by car.
I think Jo, as you are still fairly newly diagnosed and the disease isn't fully controlled at the moment you will find things do improve. This is another case of pacing yourself and developing your own routine to get the necessary jobs done. Is your school a long way off? Could you organise a rota with a couple of other parents to each do 1, 2 or 3 days a week? It's useful to have this commitment because it keeps you in the loop ... it is very easy to opt out and become very uninvolved.
Citizen's Advice Bureau should be the first port of call as others have said. they should have some answers. Also as Julie says the NRAS forum has a member, called Rich, who is very knowledgeable on benefit matters, currently working in a volunteer capacity for CAB (I think!). You would just need to sign up to the NRAS forum. Failing that give the NRAS helpline a call, they might be able to give you some further ideas
I think you might be right about the pta thing, another mum has had issues and it's been like talking to a brick wall for her! So much paperowrk and form filling and risk assesments these days!
I do try and go every afternoon if I have failed to go in the morning (can't stand playground politics) but it keeps me in touch with what's going on up there. The walk is a 2 mile jaunt (uphill) there and (downhill) back so I easily do 4 miles a day without trips to the park, doc, shops etc adding to it - I'm completely shattered by the time I get home
As I've been in a similar way for the last 3 winters I think I'm going to have to get something organised for next yr, just incase...or move closer to the school!
Thanks everyone, appreciated muchly! Got a few phonecalls to make tomorrow if the little man will let me...
Hi Jo, Lyn's right about the PTA as I was on it at primary school and also a school governor.They would need to be CRB cleared.
When I was first diagnosed I was extremely poorly and always in hospital, not able to do anything and my hubby was trying to hold onto his job my GP arranged homecare for me this though was mainly to come in and help with household chores and shopping etc.
I managed to get my son into nursery early too also with help from my GP. Obviously it depends on how helpful your GP is, I was very lucky as mine was great and still is.
Like lyn said it's very early on with you diagnosis and you will learn to have some control by pacing yourself.
Not very helpful at the moment I know, our area also provides taxis in extreme cases.
I would try your GP the next time you go, or even have a chat with the head at school they will point you in the right direction, after all they need children in school as its all about attendance figures these days!
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