Long term unemployed 19yr old son.....advice please!!

kingfisherblue

Many colleges and councils offer free courses in basic English. In my town, the classes provided by the council are held in libraries and community centres. the department responsible for them is Adult and Community Learning. Your son might want to try a similar course in your area.

Also, our local Job Centre sends long term unemployed people on courses to improve their reading, writing and mathematical skills.

If your son was unable to read or write properly at school, why wasn't it a concern then? My son has special needs and I keep up to date on his progress. At 14, he has a reading age of nine, his writing age is younger (about age 7), and his maths ability is similar to that of a six year old, but with a couple of areas that are lower (money and time are his main problem areas). Surely if your son could not read or write when at school, you asked for help and advice?

preep

Yes he's trying very hard looking for jobs. He had one with PGL as he love outdoors and teaching, they loved him but they had to let him go because of his writing difficulties.

And yes I was in the school every day but all I got was the "record of support" help but no outside specialist help from the school.

mynameistallulah

If he is looking for a diagnosis, he needs to see his GP. I emphasise he, as he needs to take some of this pressure off you and act for himself. However, he should be aware that there is little state/ NHS provided help for dyspraxia, the only way he is likely to get help is if he enrols with a college, when student support will help him access support.

Dunroamin

preep wrote: »

My son gives me £20 out of his JSA. And Ive never heard of student funding...tell me more. And I am contracted work 20hrs. I am off sick at the moment for other reasons. I was wondering if there was any extra help/ support in finding a job as JSA keep telling to look for jobs that are inappropiate and not helpful. I thought someone on here might advise re his reading or writing issues thats causing his problem in finding work.

Sorry, because of his age I assumed he was studying a degree level qualification which would have funding with it. As he obviously isn't, what were his plans for paying his way through college doing a lower level course at his age?

Why do you let your younger son keep so much of his JSA as spending money when you're struggling financially; having £30 plus a week for doing nothing doesn't give him much incentive to find a job.

KxMx

There are Disability Employment Advisors at the Job Centre who help people like your son look for suitable jobs/courses/placements.

mynameistallulah

KxMx wrote: »

There are Disability Employment Advisors at the Job Centre who help people like your son look for suitable jobs/courses/placements.

At the moment he is not disabled though, but rather illiterate (no offence OP).

merlin68

My hubbie can't read or write, and his now 49 and only been unemployed for 3 years out of all that time and that was down to redundancy.
All his employers have been great.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

you need to assist your son in seeking help but you cant force him to either, you need to sit down and talk with him about seeing the doctor, ask if he wishes you to be with him to aid explain and clarify.

same with seeking education, if your son is like me and switch off (not intentionally) with too much information in a short time frame any course needs to accommmodate that factor, and work with him at his pace rather than a classroom pace.

my ex employer reguarly offered english maths and science courses in your own time at no expence so there is ecudaction within the working enviroment, i just wish more employers who identify when a employee is having trouble and rather let them go aid them to better themselfs to stay within employment with that company.

good luck

princessdon

many places offer Literacy and numeracy - and have specialist support for dylexia (dyspraxia normally involved ability to write neatly not inability to read so I think this is what you mean) and can refer to a EP for formal diagnosis.

We for example offer 4 sessions a week for this nature to get up to GCSE level (Level 2 functional skills in Literacy/numeracy).

ring your college or adult learning alliance and they will do a diagnostic assessment for dyslexic tendancies and place in a relevant class.

Good luck

SingleSue

Preep, I couldn't help but notice your location. Has your son tried the Leap centre just a few doors down from the job centre? I believe they offer the English and maths courses (plus of course computer ones) which may help him a little.