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6 month old + sharing room with 8 year old sibling.

MamaBear90

I am asking on behalf of a relative. one of her children will be 8 and the other will be 6 months, she was wondering what the law is on room sharing. the 8 year old is on the sectrum, has issues understanding right from wrong, has some learning difficulties, wakes up randomly throughout the night and despite being told not to still insists that they will try to help their sibling during the night. The issue at the moment is space, they live in a 2 bedroom house, the oldest has the tiny box room. we were told there is a law about children on the spectrum needing their own room ( a quiet space, safe place to unwind and get away), we dont know if this is true. if not what is the general consensus on sharing, especially with the oldests age and not being used to sharing.

  • First of all it depends if its council, private renting or bought. We were in a 2 bed flat then my second child come along in Feb this year. my older children has severe autism with severe learning difficulties and is 5 over Christmas. Once my second child came along and we lived continuously in our area for 5 years we could apply for housing again and then bexause of my older sons needs we had to fill in a medical form which the council gave us and then that weren't too a independent person and then we were told we were high priority For a 3 bed house with a garden and we were rehoused within 6 weeks. thats my experience but I guess it's all down to different councils... u r right my autistic boy also wakes continuously in the night and can be very violent and is non verbal and no understanding so I guess that's why we were so high up. 

  • I suggest you contact your local citizens advice bureau. im sure there are laws about the amount of people allowed in a certain amount of space. they should also give you numbers to contact for temporary housing and financial assistance. 

  • Get in touch with your local councillor and/or social care dept via the council's home page and ask to speak to them about this situation.  If you council has a Welfare Rights Dept (or some such similar titled dept) ask for an appointment so you can get to know your rights.

  • Drjolittle,

    That doesn't sound right, hostel accommodation should be temporary. Which they feel makes that situation OK. Usually hostel or B&B are where they house teen mothers temporarily. It definitely shouldn't take 2 years to find somewhere. That is unreasonable & not the purpose of the accommodation.

  • If this is your privately owned home the law says it's up to you to decide. 

    If it's owned by a council or housing association, they may have their own rules. You would need to ask them as it can vary. But in general if they are of different sexes, it's usually recognised that they need their own room by about 10.

    In the situation described I would be more worried about the younger child. As the older child may not understand their own strength nor when the younger one needs help.

  • Sorry I'm no help but I'm interested to see what people say because according to my council it is fine for me,my autistic 6 year old, my 2 year old son & the baby I am expecting to remain sharing one room in a hostel with bed & kitchen in one room & shared bathroom & toilet facilities for 2 years now & counting.