Hi ... new to this site but I'm betting there are autistic people/parents in similar situation. In a nutshell, (sorry about idiom but I like them !), my son is 21 and in part time work. He wants to find a few more hours to work during the week and perhaps gently expand his work experience. To initially start a job he will need support/job coach /mentor but with efficient training and support he would most likely be able to pretty much work independently. He can travel (once he's practiced it ) , independently.
The Job Centre will not help him get a job because he is not on certain benefits .....I know this is nuts but that's what we were told. So it was suggested that we either got to Pluss (special needs employment agency) or apply for ESA then they could help him.
At Pluss they said they could only help him if he signed up to their workshop programme. This was impossible as he works part time !!
I am attempting to now apply for ESA and have been in cintact with DWP who were very polite and very helpful in giving me guidance on how best to progress.
I need a 'Fitness To Work' certificate from GP to submit with ESA application. GP is very willing to be helpful and fill in the certificate/document but is cautious and wanted some advice on what might be required by the DWP in this unusual situation. My son is fit for work but has limited capacity due to ASC diagnosis and epilepsy (under drug control).
Can anyone who has applied for ESA give me some idea of what the right guidance is to include on the Fitness To Work document ???
Thanks for any help here.
Ivor Heart
ps .... Isn't ASD now called ASC (autistic spectrum condition ) ?
