Well it amazes me how much disinformation one gets from instructors.
I have been categorically told that an IFR departure cannot be done unless the ATCO is qualified to give it. You get it read to you just before lining up, you then read it back and say you are ready for departure. I never knew that you can depart IFR without talking to anybody. I know you can fly en-route IFR of course.
At my airfield, which is licensed after say 0830, you can depart VFR after 0800 but cannot do an IFR departure until 0830. I don't know if this is related to it being licensed, or related to a suitably qualified ATCO turning up at 0830.
Re the IMC Rating stuff, I don't want to drag out the old argument but I always succumb to temptation
What is the difference between an IMCR pilot and an IR pilot, with the same currency (or lack of) in IMC and on type, in the same aircraft suitable for the job? The difference is that the IR one has sat a load of exams, perhaps many years ago. There is a lot of expired IMCR pilots but there is also a lot of expired IRs (including great many instructors).