Really in need of housing advice, please help

missbiggles1

In this and many similar situations, termination is a perfectly viable option and there's no reason it shouldn't be mentioned. Suggesting it isn't telling the OP what to do or judging her, it's a choice many of us would make if we were in her situation ourselves.

PaperDoll

As you are under 18 and homeless then Social Services will have to assess your needs if you want to access social housing. There is a protocol in place which means that any young person who presents as homeless to a local authority should be referred to Social Services as the duty of care lies with them, not the housing authority. There should be an assessment of your needs completed (Common Assessment Framework) and the two agencies (SS and LA) should then work together to ensure your housing needs are met appropriately. That's how it should work in theory, anyway.


Try not to see SS intervention as a negative thing. You have entitlements that you will only be able to access via SS. They also have a duty to ensure that you have access to all the services you need, including for your mental health needs and in relation to your pregnancy (whether you decide to continue with it or not). This is also the only route into supported accommodation which, given your age and complexity of your needs, may be the best option for you at this stage.

Mojisola

guestman wrote: »

an abortion is something you should consider at 17 , no home , no job? no partner

kimplus8 wrote: »

How incredibly insensitive to suggest this.

So no 17 year old, jobless and homeless woman can change their life for the better for their child???

I read "consider", not "you should have an abortion" in guestman's post.

It is an option and, for some women, will be the best decision for them. It certainly is something that should be discussed before the pregnancy gets too advanced.

homeisthecalm

I'm astounded that anyone would suggest I terminate this pregnancy. I have suffered the loss of twins before this baby, and I'm aware you didn't know that, but it still seems odd that you would make such comments without knowing a full background.


I am not a child. I have worked and lived independently since the age of 16.


Thank you for the kind advice of some users, it is appreciated.


I cope extremely well with my Psychosis. It doesn't define me as a person but unfortunately it does make working life difficult. I see no reason why I couldn't give my child a good life, full of opportunities, love and support. Financially, I receive quite a bit extra than if I didn't have a MH problem (because of ESA and PIP), and although things won't be easy, I will cope. I am entitled to Child Tax Credit's, Child Benefits and Housing Benefit (100%).


My only concern at the moment is living in shared accommodation of some sort, as I don't think that would be suitable, given the circumstances. Furthermore, why on earth would Social Services get involved purely on the grounds of MH issues? My Mum suffers with Bipolar and has not once been questioned about her capabilities, even by her GP.

PaperDoll

Social Services would not get involved purely on the grounds of mental health (unless you were to pose a risk to yourself or others) but you ARE a child in the eyes of the law and as a young homeless person, they have a duty of care towards you. That is why they would get involved. They are duty bound to be involved regardless of any mental health issues.

gingercordial

OP, aside from your housing issue you really should go and see your GP as soon as you can because there are some MH medicines which should not be taken during pregnancy as they can damage the baby. You may need to adjust your dose or try a different medicine. The baby is particularly vulnerable early in the pregnancy so please do this now.

Alice_Walker

homeisthecalm wrote: »

I'm astounded that anyone would suggest I terminate this pregnancy. I have suffered the loss of twins before this baby, and I'm aware you didn't know that, but it still seems odd that you would make such comments without knowing a full background.


I am not a child. I have worked and lived independently since the age of 16.


Thank you for the kind advice of some users, it is appreciated.


I cope extremely well with my Psychosis. It doesn't define me as a person but unfortunately it does make working life difficult. I see no reason why I couldn't give my child a good life, full of opportunities, love and support. Financially, I receive quite a bit extra than if I didn't have a MH problem (because of ESA and PIP), and although things won't be easy, I will cope. I am entitled to Child Tax Credit's, Child Benefits and Housing Benefit (100%).


My only concern at the moment is living in shared accommodation of some sort, as I don't think that would be suitable, given the circumstances. Furthermore, why on earth would Social Services get involved purely on the grounds of MH issues? My Mum suffers with Bipolar and has not once been questioned about her capabilities, even by her GP.

A matter of days ago you were not coping at all. You were also apparently living with your parents.

Well, perhaps not impossible but down right difficult.

For the last 6 months, my Psychosis has returned with a vengeance. I'm currently claiming ESA and I'm due my face to face meeting this Thursday, after which my money should go up to £104 a week. I'm sceptical and hoping they won't put me in a work placement group, as I physically cannot set foot into a workplace.

Things are just impossible, most of the time. I can't answer doors due to paranoid thoughts and suspicions. I can't even answer a phone call and often wonder if it really is the person it says on the caller ID. I won't open my own letters because I can't help but think it'll be a death announcement. Going out alone isn't just impossible because of paranoid thoughts and hallucinations, but I also worry how people will react if I appear unusual in my actions and words.

I can't go out without my Mum with me, making shopping an extremely difficult task. I won't travel alone. I'm living a very sheltered life. My medication (Risperadone) is helping my hallucinations but is making me so exhausted I feel like a zombie 24/7. I sometimes wonder what the point of this all is.

I'm often forgetting to meet my own basic needs and recuire assistance. I can't cook a basic meal - last week I tried frying myself a bacon sandwich and forgot the stove was on! If my Dad hadn't noticed the burning smell, I could've caused a serious accident. What's more, the smell made me adamant the house was going to blow up! It was a moment of pure lunacy. But at the time, I'm the rational one and everyone else is just blind to the truths.

Even if I did get an interview for PIP, I don't know how I'd get there. I'm a grown adult and my Mum has very young children to consider, not to mention she works and isn't always available. How will I explain myself to someone? It doesn't seem possible, given that I can barely get my words out. By the looks of someone's letter, it seems they only welcome someone you know to speak for you, and don't supply anyone. I can't get on public transport either.

What are my chances of getting PIP? I suffer from Fibromolagia too, but I've heard people say that's even harder to claim for.

What are some good tips for filling out the form?

People can only help if you are honest.

homeisthecalm

It says that they're usually only there for up to 16 years, unless you have been involved with them before then.


17 being a child in the eyes of the law isn't actually as simple as that, hence the sexual contact law etc.

homeisthecalm

I am aware of this, and I was taking a higher dosage of this drug with my last pregnancy.


Unfortunately, my medication does carry a risk but you have to look at it both ways and it is best my meds aren't altered.

SnooksNJ

kimplus8 wrote: »

How incredibly insensitive to suggest this.
So no 17 year old, jobless and homeless woman can change their life for the better for their child???

Antipsychotic medication and a strong family history of MI will probably complicate things.


FDA pregnancy category C. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
Taking antipsychotic medication during the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause problems in the newborn, such as withdrawal symptoms, breathing problems, feeding problems, fussiness, tremors, and limp or stiff muscles. However, you may have withdrawal symptoms or other problems if you stop taking your medicine during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking risperidone, do not stop taking it without your doctor's advice.
Risperidone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while taking risperidone.