Baby sitting

I feel for you MissAdventure. What a horrible predicament. If the school is so unhelpful is there a Family Support Centre that may be able to at least point you in the right direction or give you advice. So sorry about your daughter for you and your grandson. You must both be grieving.

Has your GS school refused to offer help? I would have thought he may be a child who attracts additional funding (Pupil Premium Grant) to the school if you are in reciept of certain benefits. This funding can be used in a variety of ways. One could be for the school to fund or subsidise a place at an after school club.

That wouldn't really help because I wouldn't be home until after 10pm, but I have taken on-board everyone's suggestions, so thank you all again.

Dear MissAdventure that’s outrageous. Your health apart what about your gs needs for a parent! In his case you. I can’t believe that you are so stuck in this it is impossible.i have heard such dreadful things about the DWP and austerity and universal credit. It makes me so angry.
Social media can help. Write to your councillor.. join a neighbourhood online forum get others on your side. And don’t give up on your upstairs neighbour she might just have read it wrong empower her to be more help. It’s bootstrap time. You can do it. Keep us updated

where are gs parents?... or are they expecting too much of you... maybe elderly lady didnt understand that she has to sit in your flat while you are out..? maybe she was listening out for him should he yell....maybe a few more rules are needed. and do you pay her/give her some flowers etc..

My daughter is dead, moggie.
I did say further up in the thread.
She was a single parent.

MisA in the waiting room at my GP is a poster and some leaflets about a person's rights if they are carers. I have no idea if you would be included as I know the criteria for various benefits are complex..but might be worth exploring..if you have the energy ?

I think that would only apply if I was caring for someone with a disability.
I did check out all the options when I first found myself in this position.
Something will work out, somehow, I'm sure.
Just frustrating, because I thought it was starting to.

So sorry you have lost your dear daughter
I hope you can make some friends.it will help you and your dear grandson.

One of the many infuriating things about Miss A's circumstances, is that she stepped in to care for her grandson, as so many other grandparents do. This meant the State, in the form of Children's Services didn't need to make steps to assume parental responsibility. If they had the matter would have been before a Family Court and an assessment of potential relative carers would have been the first thing expected of the local authority. No doubt they'd have concluded that the little boy should grow up with his grandmother. Grandmother would have been legally represented fees probably paid by l.a. as instructed by the Judge. Special guardianship Order made, along with support package presented to the Judge for consideration. A package of financial support would have been part of that. Mss A having typed this rather crossly - I've PM'd you.

Can this be done retrospectively?

Yes it could Jalima.

Here's hoping.

MissAdventure I don't know whom you consulted about your rights and entitlements, but here, people are often given incorrect information by state agencies - as the rules are so horribly complicated.
So is there anything like a Beneficiaries Advocate Service you could consult?
Unlike the individuals in state services, they are usually au fait with all the changes and rules.
You may have already done this of course.
Gosh, I wish I lived nearer, I'd be there in a flash.

On a very early rota at Sams, hence the time. Idly reading through some comments whilst having tea and toast, I saw yours (12:50)
Anyone reading it would have to think, as I did, how petty are the things we sometimes get upset about or grumbles we need to share.
Those 3 lines were...well, heartbreaking, as was your original post.
Whatever is said on GN, whatever opposing views we may hold, I salute you. Those who know you best must be richer indeed for having you in their lives.

Hey which part of the country are you hun? I would help out if you are near me. Sending you lots of good wishes and hoping you get something sorted that suits you both. x

Sitters (the online babysitters agency) is good. I knew someone who used to do the regional interviews for them, they are v stringent. And I have used them and never had anyone who wasnt in childcare or teaching in their dayjob too. You can rank your preferred sitters so that your child gets consistancy

It will cost you more than you are paid in your care work if you use them for a full shift, but to bridge between after school till bedtime it could work. You should be able to claim some back on the childcare element of UC

I think the FE/nursing/childcare training students who've been properly checked sounds the way to go. Of course, if you have an FE establishment near by. I'm also concerned that you're being left to look after your GC and have to go out to work for money - are you getting an allowance from his father? Can you get to CAB to ask for advice about carer's payments etc? The last thing your GS wants is to be alone after all his (and your) losses. And the last thing you want to advertise on FB or other social media that links to your address openly is that your GS is alone and your house otherwise unoccupied. Glad to hear you're not going to offhand your older neighbour - in extremis, if he needs to be up there with her at some point it might be useful.

MissA what an upsetting situation to be in. you must have been devastated to come home to find an 11yr old on his own after having to work, and assuming he was in reliable hands.
Other posters have given you practical advice, so hoping it gets sorted out for you soon

Thank you all.
I'm not ignoring questions, but suffice to say some of the options suggested aren't options, and as this thread was put onto Twitter I'm wary of giving too much more info.
You've all been very kind and supportive, so thank you.
You've made me feel a lot better than I did.

Sorry, I’m a bit of a philistine MissA - could you please explain what it means to have something put on Twitter? How did it get there and does it compromise you in any way?

Oh no, how could GNHQ do that without asking you first.

I think I'd ask for it to be deleted MissA - this one, the twitter one and on FB if it's on there too.

How could you be so insensitive GNHQ?

I am going to report my own post to bring it to their attention.

I did ask, Jalima, and they said no!
Urmston the forums here are open, meaning that anyone can 'lift' the contents.
I'm not sure how it works; whether Twitter lift it or gransnet put it there, but it means all this info is out there.
Obviously I've not said anything definitely identifying, but my circumstances could possibly identify me.

I've just bumped the thread. Its called 'building a profile page'.
Have a read, Urmston

That’s awful MissA It seems an insensitive thing to do by GNHQ. Did they tell you they’d done it? How did you find out? Sorry, too many questions. Ignore them.
However, you are now feeling vulnerable in case you are identified.
So put that now onto your list of woes. Just what you don’t need right now.
I really feel for you with all this on your plate.