social services referal

Zoelikesjam

Just some advice on referals to social service's/OCT? I'm not due to see my GP for another 3 weeks and i really need to get this referal in. Does anyone know if I can do a self referal? and if i can can this be done online? Would very much appriciate any help anyone can give x

munchings-n-crunchings

Hello,

It may depend on your area, and what the referral is for.

My son needed a referral through Social Services to an Occupational Therapist for a grant application.
In this case, I did a self referral without any problems.

Regards
Munchie

Zoelikesjam

munch you are a star you have replied to so many of my questions!

Its a referal for equipment and help.
I struggle to get my two eldest to school as i can't walk without aid and for much of a distance, so getting to and from school and pushing our youngest in the pram is impossible! I've been advised by my old gp and a company/charity called homestart that social services will help me with getting th children to and from school. Due to my medication and illness I get very drowsy and need constant rest so was hoping for some help with the youngest and possibly housework? I also need equipment in the house such as a stair lift etc. Do you think i can do a self referal for this? and if so how!!! If it helps we live in burton x

munchings-n-crunchings

Hi,

Yes, you can do a self referral for this.
Do you come under Staffordshire County Council??
It's the county council you need to speak to, and ask for Social Services.
http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk

It may also be worth looking into a Disabled Facilities Grant.
This you would do through your local borough or town council.
http://www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk/Services/Pages/HousingGrantsfordisabledfacilities.aspx
It's the OT that would do the assessment for that.

It's usually a good idea to think about what you need.
The OT has a duty to come up with the most cost effective solution to your problems. So for example, of a stair life would enable you to use an upstairs toilet, that would be cheaper than a house extension.

There is normally a fair waiting list, and you will be allocated a priority, and time scale.

So, just to clarify, to apply for a DFG, speak to th borough council. They will say you need an OT assessment, and then you need to speak to the County Council


I would also suggest you speak to the school. As a transport solution may be through the local education authority, as opposed to Social Services.

There is a member here called daska, that may also be able to advise you regarding help available from Social services.

Good luck,

Munchie

daska

that'll be me then! thanks munchy

I've only had brief dealings with Staffs Social Services and it was a tad traumatic but that's neither here nor there where your situation is concerned.

Your first stop for information should be the Disabled Parents Network. There is a lot of information on what Social Services are responsible for on their site and the team are really friendly and helpful.

Via my personal budget I get care (personal and domestic), respite, travel (taxis etc to access playgroups and keep up with family/friends), a leisure facilities membership so that I can go swimming, a fence and toddlerproof window catches because my toddler does a passable impression of spiderman. It's also covered a dishwasher, on the basis that it's cheaper than paying a carer to wash up and enables me to do more for myself, and a bath lift. We have no stairs or I might have tried to swing a stair lift out of it as well Basically, you have to justify that everything you suggest meets a need identified by the assessment and demonstrate that all the needs are being met.

The old type of "I think you need 3 hours, they're coming in on Thursday" 'traditional services' is very limiting and very dependent on your care manager's personal views and is often restricted to personal care. There is another form called direct payments but I have no experience of this. The personal budget appears to be the most flexible for people to choose the care they need.

munchings-n-crunchings

daska wrote: »

that'll be me then! thanks munchy

Ah, there you are :T

I knew you had experienced of this 'personal budget' system. I didn't know geographically where you were, but knew you would be able to shed some light on the care system.

Regards

Munchie

daska

Staffs Social Services

(p.s. I don't live in Staffs)