Hi i am new here i am a carer for my 19year old son i am looking for advice on if there is any help out there for driving lessons for my self as i am now finding it hard as he is home 7 days a week and i dont want him stuck in house all of the time
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@Sam_skym, getting driving lessons shouldn’t be a problem. If you can, ask friends and/or relatives to help you with care while you undertake driving lessons. Until recently, I was a young carer (30+yrs in total) from 1993 ‘til 2026. Also, ask CarersUK.org. They can point you in the right direction.
Hi @Sam_skym welcome to the forum.
I have heard of people getting driving lessons via a carer’s assessment before - but not at all sure if that’s still the case now budgets are so tight. Worth a try though.
What are your son’s care needs? Would you be able to leave him at home whilst you had driving lessons?
Hi Sam, welcome to the forum.
I’m very concerned that you are now caring 24/7, never a break from each other.
He is entitled to education up to the age of 25, but councils don’t always offer appropriate options. As he has now left school, have Social Services done a recent Needs Assessment for him, and a Carers Assessment for you?
You cannot be forced to care, if they can’t or won’t find anyone else, when he needs 24/7 care, they should be offering you Direct Payments. These would then enable you to fund the driving lessons.
Is your son claiming all the benefits he’s entitled to? PIP, Universal Credit? If he has learning difficulties he is EXEMPT from Council Tax. Easy to claim.
I know it’s horrible to think about, but what long term plans are in place, in case you get ill and can’t look after him any more?
My own son is almost 47, brain damaged at birth, can’t read or write but he’s fit as a flea and capable in some areas.