Housing help for vulnerable adult?

station296

Hi

I would like some advice please, I am not sure if this is the right section to ask the following so am sorry if not...

My very lovely brother is 40 and currently on benefits, he has a council flat and also receives DLA. He has severe learning difficulties and autism and we are trying to work out how to get him moved to a new flat. His current flat is in a building which has been purchased by a major supermarket for redevelopment, we have been warned they will only give 2-3 months notice for him to move which, with his conditions and issues, would send him into a major distress issue. The flat is also on the top floor with no lift and my parents aren't well enough to reach it which really upsets him, the area is also getting pretty dangerous day and night, and he is starting to have issues with others in the block who are bullying him and thinking he can do stuff for them.

Unfortunately me and our parents live about a 45 minute drive away from him, is there anywhere I can go for assistance to see if we can have him moved to nearer us, when they need to rehouse him? My parents and I do a great deal to support him financially and emotionally, and we don't want him to be a burden on the state, but he is unlikely to ever work so we are all putting money aside but we are unsure where we stand for the housing. He does do 'work' part time with a charity doing car washing which he loves, but it will not likely turn into a paid job.

His job centre contact is aware of the situation but can't help until he receives the notice to actually move, the CAB have said they can't offer any assistance and we are unsure where to turn.

Thank you for any advice

sandsni

Does your brother have an assigned social worker who might be able to help or advise what's available regarding housing for people with learning difficulties? Or maybe try some local or national charities who work with adults with learning difficulties?

The charity he washes cars with might have some contacts who could help you and your family.

station296

Thanks! It's like having a 5 year old constantly around you!

The council have been useless unfortunately, they haven't sent any paperwork, everyone says we have to wait until the supermarket have named their date then they will serve a notice and he will be moved. This would be took quick for him to deal with, and we would like to see if we could move him closer to us but I assume we will have no say in that? We are in England, we are all in Hertfordshire, but different boroughs within it.

station296

sandsni - he used to have a social worker but they lost funding for social workers for adults, so he just has someone at the job centre who has been great - others have actually sent him for job interviews for all sorts of roles when he can't read or count well!

The charity he works with is very small and have been great but they are stumped if he has no social worker, they are also in a different borough so don't have the contacts for us.

I'll try and contact some other charities, I do remember seeing a post a few months ago from a lady who managed to be moved to a new build in a small block for people who were deemed vulnerable adults over 40, but I can't find that post now!

Paully232000

Who told you that they lost funding for social workers for adults?
If you think there is a need for social work intervention, which I would say there is as this could potentially be a massive change for him.

I would phone the SS department and ask for a reassessment to see what assistance he could need and they should be able to advise you on housing support, or at least help in the referrals process for housing support.

Is he OK in just a council flat, independent living or do you think it would be more suitable to be in supported housing, and what do you think he would say about that? Again SS would be able to advise you on this.

Maybeachance

Hi,

Thanks for your reply, we managed to get him assessed a while ago, they came over to his flat and decided that as he could physically function without needing carers then they wouldn't be able to offer any support and sent us to mencap. That was when they said they only have funding to assist those who need carers and assistance in their daily life.

He is ok in his flat (he is OCD on cleaning so that means he is looking after it!) but we do all his shopping and manage his money, and he can't make food from scratch so he has a set number of microwave meals - not particularly healthy but he can't live with others, even us. We do also cook for him regularly!

I worry that without my parents and me around he wouldn't cope easily, anytime he tries to ask for help they give him lengthy forms when he can't even spell his name without taking a long time over it. What I need to work out is what the best angle to approach moving him is, when he doesn't have a physical disability and can basically live by himself.

Thank you for all advice

zzzLazyDaisy

Did you have him assessed before or after you were informed about the plans for the new development? If before, I suggest you ask for him to be assessed again by someone responsible for vulnerable adults, there should be some who is responsible for assisting with housing. They will have more clout with the council. The problem is, even of he is moved sooner, he won't get much notice - a place becomes available, he is offered it, he accepts and moves. So whatever happens he will need support during the moving process.

Just a thought, but is he eligible for warden controlled sheltered housing?

Darlyd

Can you find him a flat in your area and move him in?

zzzLazyDaisy

He'd be ill-advised to give up a council flat for a private rental (if that's what you mean) because he would have no security of tenure after the first 6 months, and LHA only covers the rent in the lowest 1/3rd of private tenancies in the region, so depending on where he moves to there is a high possibility that housing benefit will not cover his rent.

pmlindyloo

station296 wrote: »

Thanks! It's like having a 5 year old constantly around you!

The council have been useless unfortunately, they haven't sent any paperwork, everyone says we have to wait until the supermarket have named their date then they will serve a notice and he will be moved. This would be took quick for him to deal with, and we would like to see if we could move him closer to us but I assume we will have no say in that? We are in England, we are all in Hertfordshire, but different boroughs within it.

Found this:

http://www.hertsdirect.org/services/healthsoc/supportforadults/worriedabout/

Personally I would telephoning them, explaining the situation and asking them for some support.

I have always found the magic phrase is ' I believe this person is 'at risk'.

Maybeachance

Thank you guys, yes I am nervous to move him to privately rented, he needs to know the place is for the long term, and vaguely well looked after.

I would like to move him fairly soon as he is currently up for the idea, and he is getting increasingly scared of his surroundings which is really upsetting for all of us too. Concerned that they may string it out for a year or more, which would be worse for him.

I will call that HertsDirect number, thank you, I was nervous it may not be appropriate as I know he isn't disabled and needing assistance daily but I think I do really need some help!

Thank you all for the replies, I do really appreciate it.