How to get a home help?

GlasweJen

I'm 22 and on DLA (MC LM) for blackouts. I'm very independant and have a job (19 hours a week and I get disability element of tax credits) and I also go to uni full time (with adaptions in place to make life easier).

Recently I've been finding it difficult to keep on top of the housework, my flatmates are in less often than usual and we're not related and they're not my carers so I don't think they have a grasp on how hard I'm finding the house stuff. I think having someone in to help with general cleaning and maybe make a warm lunch for a few hours each week would make all the difference but i've no idea how to get this sort of help in place. No one claims carers allowance for me and my family live on the other side of the country. Any hints/tips on how to get this type of help?

Ames

I was told I'd have to arrange it privately and pay myself as ss don't offer help with housework. Sorry.

foxxymynx

Ames wrote: »

I was told I'd have to arrange it privately and pay myself as ss don't offer help with housework. Sorry.

I was told pretty much the same, however, it's worth getting a social worker and seeing what's available to meet your needs.

Ames

Are you in Scotland? (I've only just noticed your name!). I think they're better up there.

nanokitten

its not blac and white that they don't pay for house work (and food preparation isn't considered houswork for a start) but it depends on your circumstances as you can often use direct payments for just this kind of help and homecare also provide some of these services.
unfortnately as your pretty independant you may not reach the threshold as care is now being rationed. if you qualify on a needs basis there is also a fanancial assesment which decides what proportion of the care they would pay for (so you may find you earn too much.
The first thing to do is contact social services and ask for care assesment.
they will score you on how at risk you are for various things like self neglect, falls, social isolation etc. I'd have a hard think about all the things you cant do (depressing I know) not the things you can. do you miss out some personal care jobs such as washing your hair or having a shower, miss meals, forget medication attend lesure activities etc???

for someone like yourself direct payments would be an ideal scheme, the council gives you the money and you employ someone (so you control what they do) and you get
If the worst comes to the worst and you have to employ someone privatly one of the charities which administers direct payments (independant living in my area) may support you anyway and help with advertising, contracts etc.

let us know how you get on as those of us on direct payments have lots of experience of empoying someone.

allydowd

Does this help?

Glasgow City Council link

GlasweJen

thank you everyone, I never want to involve "the social" due to horror stories you hear about their incompetence etc but i suppose needs must. Assuming I do earn too much how would i get a home help without them?

nanokitten

well they are pretty useless and you will have to fight but my social worker was very nice, just hopelessly overworked and unreliable. This has the flip side that once you have what you need you will probably be left alone rather than beig worried you will lose services! (my annual review occurred after about 2.5 years!)
From what I understand things are better in scotland and most social service depts are on red alert at the moment for obvious reasons so its worth a try.

if you want to get a home help there are various ways, you could employ an agency, there are lots of homecare ones about or you could go for a housekeeper/au pair type arrangement. You could choose to do things the official way (with tax nat insurance, liability insurance, in which case you could get help from one of the independant living charities with the paper work etc) or of course you might decide to pay someone cash in hand.

There are lots of places to advertise free, such as the jobcentre, local university or you can take out an ad in the paper which can be expensive but will probably get more replies.
I would sit down and work out what you would like doing: eg washing up, hoovering, laundry, food prep, running errands, etc and write a proper job description this will help with boundries and expalining what you want doing (as this can feel a bit akward at first). I'd interview as many people as you can before you make a choice as personality can make a big difference. (qualities such as the ability to use initiative can be important). finally when you find some one, be clear about what you expect from them and seriously consider a CRB check (my charity insists on it).
If you like, pm your email address and I'll email you a copy of the job description and advert I use.

Pssst

Your having a laugh..my old Auntie was living on her own,aged 78,dying from cancer,was on Oxygen had severe mobility probs and couldn't get a home help though she was in such a state that she had three care visits per day from some cheapskate agency hired by the local NHS. We helped her also but there is a limit to the personal care that a male relative can give to a female relative in such a condition.

nanokitten

where I am the 'care visit folk' can do washing up, food prep etc (altough they pulled faces and were still as much use as a chocolate teapot). The council was really keen to get me onto direct payments as it was about 50% cheaper for them.

D&DD

Direct payments has worked out brilliantly for us,might be the way to go??
I'm not sure wether its means tested or anything though.Ours went through the children with disabilities panel but I know round here adult services are much harder to come by.