Taking control of my life

scaredy_cat

Ames, that is out of order, saying get more dishes!!! Seriously, write everything down where she is wrong, in bullet points and send to to the councillor and head of adult services.

Ames

I don't have contact details for the head of adult services though, only for the guy who's dealing with my complaint.

I'm seriously thinking about copying my MP in as well.

I'm just waiting on someone I know from another forum emailing me the social care guidelines and then I can slip some quotes from them in as well.

I'm just so glad that I'm at a point in my mental health cycle when I can deal with the complaint, instead of going away and 'coping' on my own. Last time I had to do that I moved ex in, knowing he was a gambler and he had a history of stealing from me, that's how desperate I was! I'm really angry thinking about all the people who must just give in, believing the social worker's done her best. I'm even wondering if the bad English is deliberate, to put people off trying to work out what it means, every tme she's written more than a few words I've had to read it a few times to see what she's getting at. She changes from first person to third halfway through a sentence, and even has me down as saying 'I has ME' - I'd never say something so grammatically wrong!

Anyway, I'll stop ranting now!

ZTD

Well I wouldn't go quite as far as that. It probably isn't deliberate. She probably is genuinely illiterate.

Ames

You're probably right Z, paranoia getting away with me!

I've just read the codes of conduct for social care providers, and made a (long) list of the ones she's clearly breaking, never mind the ones that are debatable, and checked that she's registered so they do apply. So I'll be getting an email together later on.

Ames

It's taken me two and a half hours, but I've just finished the email. Sent it to the guy investigating my complaint, and copied in two councillors and my MP.

Just realised I forgot the bit about the washing up, because there wasn't really a question about it. I'm sure there's more than enough without it though!

From reading the codes of ethics and practice it seems I could have got the social worker in deep doo doo. (damn the filter!). I feel bad for her, but then again if it leads to a better service for other people then I shouldn't feel too bad. The lying on assessments is a big no no it seems.

Also just had an email from a mental health advocacy group, asking me to ring them, and advising me to get an advocate. So that's my list of things to do today, after a long nap.

dancingfairy

Hi Ames:hello: glad that you are progressing your complaint - really hope you get a good result without too much more effort on your part.
I thought I would post this on your diary - hope you don't mind as I don't have a diary and thought you would emphathise - anyway - been to see the disability adviser at the job centre to see if they can help me get a job as I have Obsesive behaviours (lots of checking things) and anxiety - turns out there is a programme called pathways which asses what you would be suitable for and helps you find a job and supports you in emplyment - don't know if you have done this or not or whether it may be relevant in the future - who knows. Anyway to get on the programme you have to be on Employment Support Allowance ( I think that's what it's called) - and I am on Jobseekers so can't do it - in order to do it I'd have to be signed off as unfit to work so I can get help and support in order to work which seems like a backwards kind of system to me.
Hope you have a good nap and get some positive replies soon from social services and your MP.
Oh and I agree with Zed in that the social worker is obviously tasked with keeping costs down and to turn you down and has obviously messed up the application form.
df

Ames

Hmm, I'm not keen on the Pathways to work thing, I think carrots should be used rather than sticks. I'm not on ESA, I'm on Severe Disablement Allowance, Income Support and the higher rates of both DLA components. I've had a couple of work focussed interviews (even though I'm exempt) and both times they've agreed they can't help me. Apparantly the only help they give is in basic English and Maths, and with A levels including maths that's not applicable to me!

At the moment I can't even think about paid work, which is why my voluntary work is so important to me.

It was a good idea though, and maybe in the future when I've gone through all the treatments I need!

dancingfairy

Umm I just meant that systems that you would think that would help people - aren't always as straightforwards and accessable as you would think. Also was trying to say that I have health issues as well so I know a little about what you are going through although I'm not going through things the same as you are with regards to social workers etc.
df

Would you mind enlightening me about the carrots and sticks things with the pathways? I am hoping it will help me to get a job? I'm only going to get JSA until October (I think) and then I don't get anything as I live with OH and I could do with a little help.

Ames

Ah right, sorry I didn't get your message, it's a brain fog day.

For people on ESA and disability benefits Pathways can sanction your money if they think you're not trying hard enough. If you're looking for work and want help then that's one thing, but people being forced onto the scheme through threats of sanctions I feel is wrong.

Ames

Can I ask why you don't want to claim ESA? the basic rate while you're looking for work is higher than JSA and there's more help and support available, especially if you do want to work and get help and do courses. I can understand you thinking it's a step backwards in being told you're unfit for work, but you'd probably go in the 'limited work capability' group, which would give you a lot more support, and mean that you're not pushed to go for jobs you're not capable of, unlike JSA.