jaalka

My 19 year old son is wanting/needing to move from Kent to London to live independently. Enquiries with the Benefit Enquiry Line has confirmed that he is eligible for housing benefit from the local authority (he's in receipt of IB/IS and DLA middle rate care, lower rate mobility) with an extra allowance to allow him to rent privately self-contained accommodation. The housing benefit can only be applied for once he is living in his accommodation. The problem he is faced with is "how does he get together the deposit/month's rent in advance"?(possibly totally �1k) There isn't the option of bank loans or parental assistance. Is there anyone who could shed light on this dilemma? Is there any financial assistance available from the state or charities? I would be grateful for any help and advice.

Hello NobbyNobbs....i've just read your question, with interest, as I have a 19yr old son with Aspbergers who is in the same situation as yourself. I wonder if you would reconsider the option of "council accommodation" as local authority housing isn't all "council houses in socially deprived areas". Some local authorities have properties (one bedroomed flats) with "assisted living/supported living". May I suggest that you phone your local authority housing department and make enquiries or ask someone to do it on your behalf.

just an update on the Work Prep Course that the RBLI have set up for my 18yr old son with AS....Basically it has collapsed. J attended for the first two days of the first week, missed the third day saying it wasn't worth going. Complained that they were all mentally retarded and that he didn't feel comfortable and they were working at a really slow pace. By the first day of the second week he had left. He has since applied for two jobs from the job centre, been offered interviews for both (awaiting outcome) and has registered at an employment agency in London for temp to perm positions. Hoping that something will come of THIS! Jaalka.

Hello Pearl. Thanks for the good luck wishes. RBLI= Royal British Legion Industries (www.rbli.co.uk "EMPLOYMENT SOLUTIONS), based at Aylesford in Maidstone. Wondering whether Mr P aware of such work prep courses for people on DLA/IB??? Not feeling too positive about it as when J and I visited to meet them, there was a noticeboard showing where other clients had been placed for work experience and it listed: Sainburys and a Sports Centre locally... not areas in which J wld even want to consider, especially as he's wanting to wrk in London. However I will do my utmost to motivate J in attending. Will keep you informed.

hello all... have been away on annual hols .... great reading about your daughter, Pixie. It does give hope. And Pearl and Canopus, it was interesting reading your thoughts and views on psychometric testing. J is about to start a work prep course at the RBLI next week. It's been a distressing six months. I'm hoping there's light at the end of the tunnel. I appreciate all your comments. I will be in touch again with, hopefully, some positive news on the work prep course. Jaalka x]

J has the details from Learn Direct for the key skills level 2 but is not interested in persuing this, despite realising it would be in his interest. I will endeavour to encourage.

That would be appreciated.Thanks.

Hello Elly. Thought this might be helpful to you... Once my son reached 16 he was no longer eligible for help from Family Fund Trust but I was put in touch with Contact-a-Family phone: 0808 808 3555. If you ask for details of charities who will help over 16's who have a disability, they will send you a long list of charities. I was sent these but have since mislaid them. It's definitely worth thinking about doing. Good Luck. Jaalka.

Please don't apologise Pearl! Any advice is much appreciated. Apprenticeships have not been thought of previously but, as mentioned to Canopus, J's now been referred to the RBLI and an apprenticeship is an area that will be mentioned. Start date is end of August for the work prep programme. Wondering if Mr Pearl is aware of this Government run scheme with the DEA?

I'm wondering if that English GCSE grade could hinder him. If it does then I suggest taking an English Language IGCSE. This is all examination with no coursework, and no heavyweight literature. Learn Direct has offered an english GCSE equivalent but J has yet to take it up. Still pursuing this area. Have been referred to RBLI (Royal British Legion Industries) via DEA who have 9/52 work prep scheme including work experience with 'forward thinking' employers. Sounds promising. Thanks for your advice Canopus.

I have realised that the areas my son is looking at are areas in which involve a great deal of social interaction and this is a difficult area for him. What areas of employment would you suggest he looks to? He is gadget minded with a technical interest. IT was he forte at school (GCSE one point below an A!) with Science Maths and Media GCSE B. English his weakest subject at an E.

Hi again Kathryn. There seems to be a huge void in the expertise of organisations who have indepth knowledge of AS. My son is currently with the Disability Employment Adviser at the Job Centre who has referred him to the Work Psychologist who then referred him to the Royal British Legion Industry ...and is awaiting an appointment. I'm in the process of enquiring with the RBLI as to what level of expertise they have of AS and Aspbergs in particular, although they hv already confirmed they do not have indepth understanding of individual disorders, just a general understanding. Prospects in London seemed the ideal place as the're level of knowledge on AS is high but my son is not eligible as he lives just on the boundary of Kent/London. The WPsy basically asked him: Have you thought about what you'd like to do? He replied: Be a Police Officer. That was it. The WPsy immediately referred him back to the DEA with a recommendation that he be referred on the RBLI. My son omitted to tell the WPsy that he also "wouldn't mind being ... cabin crew attendant..car insurance salesman...air traffic controller"...and a host others. As a professional WPsy,I thought that she may have pressed him further with questions on what/where he'd like to work??? Perhaps that may have rang alarm bells and and she may hv carried out some form of pychometric testing to ascertain just where his strengths/weaknesses were! I find it frustrating to say the least. I will certainly keep an open mind with the RBLI and will let you know how he gets on. In your daughter's case, I do feel that voluntary work is a sensible option but only if the person in question is not money oriented! My son wouldn't even contemplate working for nothing! J.

Thank you Pearl. Have not been impressed with Connexions so far - it could well have been that we were just unlucky with that particular member of staff. I may well revisit them.

Thank you for your reply. I read with interest your Asperger Technical site. I'm hoping that my son will realise his forte within the technical/gadget area and look within this for employment, rather than the police. It is more the controlling aspect of the police he is interested in than the community aspect. I will refer to your site. If you can suggest anything I would be grateful.

Hello there. As a new member, I am hoping to be able to share ideas with parents or others who have experienced the difficulties in securing suitable employment for their off-spring with Asperger's Syndrome. I have an 18 yr old who's ambition is to be a Police Officer in the Met. He has already had difficulty in sustaining long-term employment in the retail trade and I have concerns that a profession as a Police Officer may be unsustainable. I am hoping that within the police force there may well be a niche where he will fit in. I would be grateful for any ideas anyone may have.