Disabled Child - how do I get a social worker

2

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  • mysterywoman10
    mysterywoman10 Posts: 1,666 Forumite
    AH

    The link below might be useful and it explains what should be happening. And I should have mentioned Connextions (although the term used has changed in our area for the organisation)

    http://www.specialkidsintheuk.org/lifestyle/transition-further-and-higher-education.html#

    Also if you phone Contact a Family they will be able to give you some support and advice as well.

    http://www.cafamily.org.uk/what-we-do/
    The most wasted day is one in which we have not laughed.
  • SEE
    SEE Posts: 722 Forumite
    elsien wrote: »
    Stop scaremongering and get a grip. This case is 3 years old and since then the Mental Capacity act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards have come into force. Uneccessarily putting the wind up people who need help is really not a helpful response.
    Are you serious? Are you aware of how many disabled people are having their capacity changed to shift them into private sector residential homes? It isn't scaremongering its a fact.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Halifax, taking the Xtra since 1853:rolleyes:
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~
  • verysillyguy06
    verysillyguy06 Posts: 37,692
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    Thanks for the reply AH. Firstly they should be starting transition if he is in a special school and statemented (in theory this starts in year 9!) I would ask to speak to the Headteacher and see if they can give you some support as well, ask about what is happening about his transition as I explained above Education is now supposed to be linked in with all of this with Social Services.

    Do they have a group of mums at the school that meet? Always good to get in touch with other mums as I suggested. The mums in our area have a F/B page and it is very vibrant supported by a grant from the lottery (not the f/b page the group).

    Yes ask for another assessment of need and not over the phone also ask for a carer's assessment for yourself and your husband and get the school to support you. The Social Worker should also be at Annual Review do you know when that next is especially now when he is above year 9?

    Both the school and social services together should be helping you to plan for the future. And if they don't and you are still struggling to get some services then write a complaint letter.

    Don't hesitate to ask if you need anymore help and feel free to pm me as well if you want to. Really hope you get some more help soon in planning for his future. x
    Thanks for all the replies. My son is 15, has a statement, is in a school for learning difficulties. His diagnosis is aspergers and learning delay (oh and mild cerebal palsy for good measure) - he probably functions as an 8 year old.
    I had an assessment about 2 years ago for support over the phone - I hadn't realised it was an assessment!!! and didn't meet the grade.
    I am getting more and more concerned that he doesn't get any support - has no friends or social support (he does go to youth clubs and disability football) but only his dad and i for support - dad often away with work and I have M E so its a struggle, though we are capable parents, happily married and rational, he isn't at risk from us and so we must struggle and juggle..........



    Hi AH,

    Mysterywoman is partially right but let me set it straighter:

    You can try different things depending on your Local Authority.

    The system wherever usually goes on the least 'official' route first and would suggest to try not get a Social worker to provide families with other option as they often feel threatened by the prospect of needing a social worker despite them being all human, I promise...

    A. First question: Have you ever had a CAF = Common Assessment Framework? Usually done by school

    http://www.education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/strategy/integratedworking/caf/a0068957/the-caf-process

    This could lead you to :

    B. The Integrated Services. This is usually for children with mild to moderate needs but does not usually allow Direct Payments. It is also not the same in every county :


    http://www.northyorks.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=12503&p=0

    For example and it may be similar in your area

    C. Ask the Customer Services for a referral to Disabled Children's team . you can self refer.This would lead to an Initial assessment. However, the call you talked about you had, may have been a 'screening ' process where you did not meet their 'eligibility' criteria but they should have offered different advice too

    Some general comments: MW is quite right. You could contact the Carers Centre : http://www.yorkcarerscentre.co.uk/

    For example... and ask for a carers' assessment and lastly, have you ever thought getting your own assessment from Adult Social Care ?

    Hope this help
    You have the right to remain silent.Anything you do say will be misquoted and then used against you ;)

    Knowledge will give you power, but character respect.

    Bruce Lee
  • If he is in a Special School which he is with a statement, I would expect them not be going the least 'official' route. :) They should be planning for his leaving school and that may be a college placement etc. Specialist college funding is still available and a good connextions officer should be able to help with this.

    Social Work side additional advice there is very helpful, eligibilty criteria is a big factor.

    Self referal to Adult Social care is worth a try.
    The most wasted day is one in which we have not laughed.
  • verysillyguy06
    verysillyguy06 Posts: 37,692
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    If he is in a Special School which he is with a statement, I would expect them not be going the least 'official' route. :) They should be planning for his leaving school and that may be a college placement etc. Specialist college funding is still available and a good connextions officer should be able to help with this.

    Social Work side additional advice there is very helpful, eligibilty criteria is a big factor.

    Self referal to Adult Social care is worth a try.

    Nope, over 80% of pupils with a statement are not open to Social Care....two very different criteria. Connexions is more often than not now IGEN workers but they should help. Without a referral, assessment and outcome, no-one else may become involved

    :eek:
    You have the right to remain silent.Anything you do say will be misquoted and then used against you ;)

    Knowledge will give you power, but character respect.

    Bruce Lee
  • murrayfan_2
    murrayfan_2 Posts: 180 Forumite
    Good luck with it!. We begged for help with our son when he was younger (he's now 16), mainly because he ONLY has us, me and his (disabled) dad. We wanted a bit of a support network for emergencies at least. Seems this is impossible these days!. We had a family social worker who stuck his beak in and told me I should be making my son (then 12 and with Aspergers and Dyspraxia) do his own washing, make simple meals, etc!!!. I told him I rather liked to have my washing machine in working condition and my son burn-free! :mad:.

    My advice would be to get the assessment done, but don't expect too much, you might be better off trying to make some local contacts with parents who are in similar situations. Mine is now preparing for college and even though connexions were (kind of) involved, we've had to find everything out for ourselves.
  • verysillyguy06
    verysillyguy06 Posts: 37,692
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    murrayfan wrote: »
    Good luck with it!. We begged for help with our son when he was younger (he's now 16), mainly because he ONLY has us, me and his (disabled) dad. We wanted a bit of a support network for emergencies at least. Seems this is impossible these days!. We had a family social worker who stuck his beak in and told me I should be making my son (then 12 and with Aspergers and Dyspraxia) do his own washing, make simple meals, etc!!!. I told him I rather liked to have my washing machine in working condition and my son burn-free! :mad:.

    My advice would be to get the assessment done, but don't expect too much, you might be better off trying to make some local contacts with parents who are in similar situations. Mine is now preparing for college and even though connexions were (kind of) involved, we've had to find everything out for ourselves.

    Have you tried to approach Adult Social care ? Seeing that it is you and not your child's difficulties that need support?
    You have the right to remain silent.Anything you do say will be misquoted and then used against you ;)

    Knowledge will give you power, but character respect.

    Bruce Lee
  • AlwaysHappy
    AlwaysHappy Posts: 1,506
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    well, thanks for the responses. I have a meeting with connexions in the morning so will take it from there, there has been some sound advice which I need to look into. We don't get any help at the moment, seem to be dropping through the cracks........
    I'm not a failure if I don't make it, I'm a success because I :tried!
  • Nope, over 80% of pupils with a statement are not open to Social Care....two very different criteria. Connexions is more often than not now IGEN workers but they should help. Without a referral, assessment and outcome, no-one else may become involved

    :eek:

    I think we were both kind of saying the same thing :) that if he didn't meet the eligibility criteria for Social Care they wouldn't be involved but that the school should still be assisting in planning for leaving school, if he is in a special school.
    The most wasted day is one in which we have not laughed.
  • verysillyguy06
    verysillyguy06 Posts: 37,692
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    I think we were both kind of saying the same thing :) that if he didn't meet the eligibility criteria for Social Care they wouldn't be involved but that the school should still be assisting in planning for leaving school, if he is in a special school.

    Well, two minds alike.....just wanted to clarify that no social worker would suddenly appear at a school review even if it looks at changes
    You have the right to remain silent.Anything you do say will be misquoted and then used against you ;)

    Knowledge will give you power, but character respect.

    Bruce Lee
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