social services

Replies

By marie66

Re: social services
Tue 3 Mar 2009 15:22

Hi Lynds and (((hugs))),
It's a difficult situation.
We avoided it by going with Direct Payments - I know it's not for everyone but you are in control of who comes and when!

We employ our daughter as OH could never cope with people he doesn't know during all the seizure activity.

Please keep pushing as if you give up and accept what's on offer, the social services will quite happily keep on in the same vein.
Good luck,
(((hugs)))
marie x

By LYNDS38

Re: social services
Tue 3 Mar 2009 15:29

Hi Marie,
thanks for the reply + hugs.The social worker did mention direct payments to me just before mom came home but at the time I had so much stress (and still have !) I said no it was easier for them to sort it out.I have thought about it since but dont know anyone that would be willing to do it so it would mean getting to know another "stranger".Hopefully now we are going to have permanent carers it will settle down a bit - its just so upsetting saying goodbye to the old ones.Its bad enough for mom but she's got me - I feel really sorry for any old person on their own and has to through it.

By morello

Re: social services
Tue 3 Mar 2009 15:38

Direct Payments work, if you have somebody reliable. If they dont turn up, you are even worse off. If it works it may be good, but finding the right person isnt easy. As for Social Services well most people on here will know how disgusting and unhelpful they are as far as I am concerned. Give the money to the people who actually do the caring, not these money grabbing lot who are full of useless words and even more useless on actions.
Mo

By Jimbo

Re: social services
Tue 3 Mar 2009 15:56

Hi LYNDS. Im 40, single and very angry with the whole thing,and i've been in the same situation as you. And yer, i go for direct payment because it least you've got something to look forward too. I'm going to Park House Hotel in June and it can't happen soon enough. But yer, my father was still around at the time so I soldier on my myself, even seeing my mates is getting rarer,.It's like every 3/4 months now. I tell yer, if I even won the lottery then i think I'd be seriously tempted to tell the the papers just how bad, or none exsistant Colchester social services is.

By loopy

Re: social services
Tue 3 Mar 2009 18:26

yeah ive seen social workers come and go quite often for my daughter. Now we just have the "duty" social worker eg, whoever is on at the time. So i dont bother calling them now. I dont think i will bother in future either. I dont think that direct payments would be the way to go for us. Charlotte is severely autistic and will only go with people who are very familiar to her and that she trusts. Most of my friends and family all work or have other commitiments so i wouldnt ask them if they wanted to do it. I wouldnt trust a stranger i dont think. Direct payments is good in some ways though because you are in control but its not good if you cannot find a suitable carer. They would have to be thouroughly checked out by social services i guess. The horror stories that i hear about social services would put me straight off. They probably wouldnt even bother to check if carers had a criminal record or not. I must say though, i have dealt with some EXCELLENT social workers in the past who have bent over backwards to help me and charlotte. Recent one was just before xmas but she left to have a baby !! how dare she !! But you do feel that you are pushed from pillar to post. To be honest with you, i wouldnt have a clue who to call now because alot of the social services departments where i live have all changed.

hope you find some peace and an answer soon

By Starby

Re: social services
Tue 3 Mar 2009 20:35

Hi Lynd,

Really sorry you've had such a difficult time with the carers for your mother. The service can be so different depending on where you live and of course what carers are available. I use the direct payment scheme as mentioned by others and I find it fantastic - ony of my son's carers is also his teaching assistant at school, plus he has another carer who works at the other special needs school in the area. They are all thoroughly CRB checked by an independent organisation which works hand in hand with social services. I can't fault the service I've recieved.

Obviously I've been very lucky and areas vary a lot but it may be worth giving direct payments a try - you could find out what the policy is on crb checks and what sort of support you will have. If the system works it can be a godsend for people who are otherwise struggling with carers from social services. Before I started on the direct payments scheme I had a respite carer from social services and she was very unreliable and often off sick. It is so much better managing my own carers.

Whichever route you choose I hope that things improve for you and your mother soon.

By marie66

Re: social services
Tue 3 Mar 2009 23:19

I know what you all mean without adequate support D.P. would be a lot of work!
We too have a good support package so it's easier.

Incidently, our daughter cut her hours to part time when she took a contract with us - so don't dismiss family as they are already working - sometimes it's a viable financial move!

It's just a pity it's NEVER a viable financial move when it comes to US!

marie x

By HELS

Re: social services
Wed 4 Mar 2009 11:23

I have tried the direct payment but it didnt work for me,i needed help with my 21 yr old daughter who has downs syndrome and is profoundly deaf,i am single parent with 2 young children and steph my eldest.
the social worker at the time said i could get 5 hours a week and she arranged someone she knew who could use bsl to take my daughter out so i could spend some quality time with the other kids.after about 7 months i got a letter to say i wasnt suppose to get 5 hours a week it was to be monthy and had to pay back over £2000.i gave up on the payments after this and get no help at all now i dont even have a social worker they all moved to other departments.i just plod along and accept everything but made a decision yesterday that i need to get things sorted out now rather than later before i end up in an early grave..
If it wasnt for us carers the gov would be forking out a fortune on alternatives. xx

By marie66

Re: social services
Wed 4 Mar 2009 11:56

Hels, don't be left without a social worker - if you need anything just phone and ask for the duty worker and make some noise!
If you let them away with it - they'll quite happily leave you plodding on forever.

Don't let them do that - the law's on your side, you and you family are due some respite so make them provide the services!

M.P.'s are pretty good at giving them a push as are local councillors and Carer Centres.

I know it's soul destroying fighting for equipment and services but please start banging on the other peoples doors as sometimes social services just don't want to listen and need persuading!

It can work!
Good luck,

marie x

By Tricia

Re: social services
Wed 4 Mar 2009 12:04

HELS

When you first got direct payments did the agreement state you were entitled to 5 hours per week?

If it did then you have the evidence for their mistake and it might be worth putting in an appeal for inncorrect information being put onto the agreement.

As direct payments need to be regularly auditored (once a month) Social services should of picked up before it got out of hand.

Contact your local carers centre to support you if you feel you are unable to do this on your own.

Also which area are you in Hels there may be other carers in your area who are able to support who have experienced this but not mentioned it.