Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi, I'm new to here and thought it would be a good place to ask for ideas and opinions.
My son is about to finish year 6 and has Aspergers, OCD and mild dyslexia. He is at least 2 years behind in his learning as he has been so anxious about everything. He doesn't go any further than our local park, won't travel in any form of transport that pollutes and refuses medication as he thinks it will 'hypnotise' him. Life is very limited for him at the moment.
It's looking unlikely that he will be able to attend a secondary school setting at the moment so the Local Authority have been good in being proactive and are trying to get him into another less mainstream provision which will use an alternative timetable. How we are going to get him to it is going to be a big hurdle, he's refusing to think of any changes at the moment.
The amount of stress on our family has been huge and has impacted every one of us. I work and love my job - it is the time when I'm able to 'be me' and can think of something else rather than family issues. I have worked my way up to where I am, studied hard and have been lucky to get my role. Problem is, it looks like I'm going to have to give it all up because of my son's needs and I'm really upset. I work in a pastoral role in a school and these are hard jobs to come by.
We have all the services that should be involved but things just haven't improved and he is now even more anxious about the changes ahead.
Anyone else been in a similar situation please? Anyone had to give up a job they loved and are now a stay at home mum?
Thanks for reading.
You would, in my opinion, be coveredby rhe Equality Act as someone caring for someone with a disability.
This does not mean that you can dictate what you do in the workplace, but that the employer will have to consider 'reasoonable adjustments' in order for you to keep your job at the same time as looking after your son.This can be far reaching and include such possibilities as part time working, adjustment of hours, time off at short notice to attend to your son, in addition to normal emergency leave, working from home,etc, amongst other possibilities.
First job would be to write to your employer explaining your situation and requesting reasonable adjustments and what you propose. Enlist the help of a union rep if you are in a union, or seek advice from a citizens advice bureau.
Remember also your employer may argue that the adjustments you are asking for are not reasonable.There should be a policy in place or if not you can check with the Acas website on reasonable adjustments, Acas also have a helpline. The usual arguement for an employer to make is that the employer has a business to run and the adjustments are not practical, so try to think how you will counter that claim.
Good luck!