some advice please

adele902

my son is 16 with cerebral palsy i am a single mum is there any help with holidays out there that don't need social services to sign forms never had any help off them been asking for years but to never had no joy off them i could do with a break in the school holidays but they always bump the prices right up even for a caravan i also look after my mum full time to as she is also disabled and i have a 9 month old baby think i am going to go mad i can't claim any carers help for my mum as i get it for my son it's just stupid that i am looking after 2 people who are disabled and no one really cares cheers adele

lolababy

Hi Adele Im sorry that your struggling. Have you had a carers assessment . Social services are legally bound to offer this. It may be the case that you are entitled to direct payments in order that you can buy in help ie a carer.
Have a look for your nearest carers center who are fantastic for helping to access services. They will help with applications and emergency care should you need it.

Holidays , as your a single parent have a look at Gingerbread they have information on discounted holidays for single parents.
Some charity bodies offer holidays where they accept self referral without the need for social workers letters. Your sons GP can fill in the forms or your sons school.

flo5

Hi

Not sure if they still do but several years ago the Rowntree Fund helped a friend with a disabled child have a holiday

try to get an assessment as this can help with all sorts of things

asperger

yes a groups called the family fund help with holidays and stuff like that, as my son has asperger syndrome and i've used them 2 years running.

longhotbath

Hi Adele, what level dla does your son get? As you get carers - is he at middle or higher rate?

You should go back to social services and request a carers assessment - form AS84 - I had my assessment today. The level of DLA that your son gets determines the support that social services will give - though many find that highter rate DLA doesnt mean that help from social services is easily obtained.
The carers assessment is about YOUR needs as a carer, and what you need to keep on going.

Does your son need help with lifting and moving. Can you safely do it on your own? If not, you should go back to social services for a new assessment of his needs.

Do you have a local or affiliated scope branch - can they give you information on local organisations that help with holidays?

There are 2 organisations that I know of that could help with holidays - unfortunately, next year rather than this one. Please feel free to pm me.

Best wishes.

adele902

hi i get middle rate care high rate for mobility but i use this for a car so my son can get around regards

kazzah

also you could try Kids out or gentlemens night out
both can help with the cost of a holiday

hippo18

I'm one of the dreaded social workers so many complain about - sorry to hear you have had no help from your local SSD. In one of my past jobs I used a book called 'grants for individuals' which I spotted in my local library to get money and holdiays for families - it was a brill book full of useful info. Some of the organisations listed, would accept direct applications from families and others would need the info to be endorsed by a SW.

The Family Fund - Rowntree foundation are by far the most helpful organisation - I used to reffer all my families who had children with disabilites, I suprised if you havent been given this info.

There are many organisations that support families affected by certain conditions like Scope or RNIB - you might be able to contact them direct.

Hope this has been of use - good luck!!

hippo18

Forgot to add...request the carers assessment now - you never know what might turn up!!