Entitled benefits for 16 year old bipolar daughter?

FBaby

miduck wrote: »

Is she under CAMHS? If not, she needs a referral - a GP should not be diagnosing bipolar.

And it is concerning that one would do after one visit. OP, please don't accept this diagnosis as final and convince yourself and your daughter that this means an inevitable barrier. She has done very well so far and might just be going through a hard patch. She is young and it might very well be that all she needs is some counseling. Your focus should be on getting quick access to therapy for her as the longer she stays like this, the harder it will become for her to believe that she can resume normal life.

If indeed she is diagnosed with bipolar by a psychiatrist, they are treatments that can really help her.

flutterbyuk25

Getting out and socialising with others may well help your DD, as will keeping busy and doing things like education. There are hundreds of different short courses out there which she could do (anything betweeen 2-15weeks in length mostly). And if she attends one you would still be able to claim child benefit for her. One such course is the Prince's Trust Team Programme. It is designed to help young people gain skills that will help them in gaining employment/education/training. The Team Leaders are used to working with young people with all sorts of issues/disabilities/illnesses/backgrounds so will be able to support her. But this is just one of numerous courses that she could do.

HTH

Dunroamin

flutterbyuk25 wrote: »

Getting out and socialising with others may well help your DD, as will keeping busy and doing things like education. There are hundreds of different short courses out there which she could do (anything betweeen 2-15weeks in length mostly). And if she attends one you would still be able to claim child benefit for her. One such course is the Prince's Trust Team Programme. It is designed to help young people gain skills that will help them in gaining employment/education/training. The Team Leaders are used to working with young people with all sorts of issues/disabilities/illnesses/backgrounds so will be able to support her. But this is just one of numerous courses that she could do.

HTH

I have to disagree with you on this. This programme can be excellent for certain students but I can't imagine anything less suitable for an academic, A grade student who suffers from anxiety and depression. It would be a very inappropriate course for her to do, just so that her mother can get some extra money for her.

flutterbyuk25

Dunroamin wrote: »

I have to disagree with you on this. This programme can be excellent for certain students but I can't imagine anything less suitable for an academic, A grade student who suffers from anxiety and depression. It would be a very inappropriate course for her to do, just so that her mother can get some extra money for her.

Well we shall have to agree to disagree. I work on this programme and have helped numerous academically minded students ranging from those with GCSEs, A levels up to graduates. Whilst the course may be a lower level academic course, the OP's DD could benefit from the social interaction and activities to help with her depression.

I did state there were numerous other courses available, that may be more suitable. The best advice is to speak to a Careers Adviser/Connextions etc locally who will know what may be suitable.

princessdon

I know the princes trust really well and a few last groups would suit ops daughter in the main it would be like throwing a lamb to wolves if the have social isolation, so I guess it depends on the group.

Staying in education with lea support and a mentor IMO is best for this. Even if it means dropping a subject, some home support and phased return. Someone so bright and able should easily catch up this early into a two year programme.

Op speak to the school or college and find out if staying with support is possible. I know many students who whether its physical or mental have difficulties and with support they can catch up and do well.

Putting her through ESA claims will be stressful and I'm not sure long term without investigating staying on a levels would be best. You know her best but with grades like that I'd fight to keep in education.