Holiday place for 11 year old

getcarter

Hi everyone

I wanted to pick your brains for a moment. My 11 ds has unexplained seizures, he is due to start secondary school in sept but my problems is that he cannot be left alone during the mornings during the holidays. I work sort of school hours (but not at a school) and really don't want to give up my job but am I just fooling myself?

The mornings are when he is most likely to have seizures. What do people do with secondary school children during the holidays? If he didn't have seizures I would be happy to leave him (not everyday) but a couple of days a week but at the moment it isn't possible.

thanks in advance

getcarter

floss2

Would your job allow you to work from home for the mornings during holidays? Or are there any Social Services supported playschemes available?

tanith

I really don't know if its possible but could you not claim something like Attendance allowance for your son thus being able to pay for someone to sit with him when he is alone... as I say I really dont' know if that is possible...

getcarter

I work as a receptionist so can't really work from home, may look at moving hours though, other son (8) has ASD so not really safe either but at least he can go to the primary school holiday club.

The problem is that the seizures have not been diagnosed yet so we don't really get any help from anyone. I just don't know about other agencies that might help. Have thought about contacting the local papers for help but that's a really big irreversable step!

carter

chattycathy1674

It's a tricky one isn't it?
Things are certainly not made easy for working parents!

My children are 13 & 8. I work days & hubby works nights.
We're fortunate to have my mum around...she does a lot of the fetching & carrying...plus minding them during the hols...God knows what we'd do without her!

I have heard of nursery type of clubs...run during school holidays. The one near us takes kids upto the age of 11. They also do the school runs with a mini bus for parents that are working at those times.
That's another cost though which might not balance with your pay if you know what I mean...

Maybe contact your local authority and ask them if they have any provisions in place?? Worth a try certainly.

Hope you can sort something.

bigburd

I'm a childminder and a qualified first-aider. I have never ruled out any child because of special needs - in fact I believe it's not allowed to say you can't take a child for this reason. I personally would spend time with the parent and child and if they were both completely satisfied that I could cope with the childs needs then I would agree to care for them. You could check with the council in your area's childminders list and see if there's anyone suitable for you. Bear in mind that tax credit fund a large percentage of childcare if applicable. X

Nicki

Even though the reason for the seizures aren't diagnosed presumably they are being investigated so therefore documented? Armed with this could you apply for direct payments for a CM? Maybe have a CM look after both children if this makes it easier to get the direct payments?

Quackers

getcarter wrote: »

Hi everyone

I wanted to pick your brains for a moment. My 11 ds has unexplained seizures, he is due to start secondary school in sept but my problems is that he cannot be left alone during the mornings during the holidays. I work sort of school hours (but not at a school) and really don't want to give up my job but am I just fooling myself?

The mornings are when he is most likely to have seizures. What do people do with secondary school children during the holidays? If he didn't have seizures I would be happy to leave him (not everyday) but a couple of days a week but at the moment it isn't possible.

thanks in advance

getcarter

How long has he been having the seizures for?

Is he on medication?

There is a possibility that you would be able to claim Disability Living Allownace for him.

He needs more care than a 'normal' child of the same age.

This could pay for childcare or possibly allow you to take some unpaid leave from work whilst he was off school if your employer allowed?

Just an idea

Its the hardest thing ever isn't it?

My daughter is 16 next week and has had uncontrolable Epilepsy since the age of 9/10.

If I can help in any way then please feel free to PM me

tsstss7

Could you ask the primary school to take the older child as well? The after school club connected to my ds's school has a few elder siblings attend (those that used to attend the school).

kazzieg

my son is 12 and he goes to a local leisure centre that runs a holiday club during the school holidays from 9am-5pm
they take kids up to the age of 14.

And have staff there that will have done first aid courses.

And beacuse they are registered through the council you should be able to help with getting tax credits for it .

anonymousie

Council will haea special needs play scheme that may well take both of your boys at a reduced/free fee.However do agree that DLA and a childminder would be the best answer- after all you are probably going to need similar care for your younger son in years to come- it maybe that neither of them can safely be left to fend for themselves till they are very much older than your average teen and a "grannie" type CM would be ideal.