Are social services being more strict with their care budgets?

williewonder

I was going to a day centre that was run by the NHS for people with learning disabilities and I was going there for 15 years and had friends there and really liked the staff. I was going 4 days a week but they closed it down and left me nothing to do all day, I had somebody from social services come around my house and only offered me a social services day centre but it was too far away, I asked her can I have a extra 10 hours on my support from supported living staff at my supported living so instead of 21 hours a week I get 31 hours. its been 2 months and I've heard nothing back, my LD community nurse wrote them a letter says he thinks I should have the extra hours. Does it normally take this long? What should I do to make it go faster?

marcia_

williewonder said:

I was going to a day centre that was run by the NHS for people with learning disabilities and I was going there for 15 years and had friends there and really liked the staff. I was going 4 days a week but they closed it down and left me nothing to do all day, I had somebody from social services come around my house and only offered me a social services day centre but it was too far away, I asked her can I have a extra 10 hours on my support from supported living staff at my supported living so instead of 21 hours a week I get 31 hours. its been 2 months and I've heard nothing back, my LD community nurse wrote them a letter says he thinks I should have the extra hours. Does it normally take this long? What should I do to make it go faster?

 Yes they are being more careful with who and what they fund. Councils are cash strapped and they are following the letter of the Law rather than being relaxed to meet people needs as they can only afford to fund the most desperate cases. They will offer their own services rather than give cash for you to fund private services because it is cheaper to do it in-house. They are allowed to dismiss your application for funding if you reject what they offer. 

elsien

You were on 117 aftercare so not local  authority funded. If that has not changed you would need a 117 review to discuss whether you needed to increase your Support or not. When did you last have one because they should be at least yearly? Is this not something your support team would follow up? 

if your care is split funded with the local authority it would probably need a joint review. 

if you want to make a complaint about any delays for the 117 it would be an NHS complaint and for the label of authority you would need to go through their complaints process. it would help though if you knew exactly who you’re learning disability nurse had written to. 

Either way you would need a good reason as to why the extra Support was essential for you. 

Muttleythefrog

I can't advise as I have no real knowledge of this area. However... do see if your GP can refer for social prescribing that you may benefit from if any exists... and ask.. perhaps on social media... if there are are local groups that you'd feel comfortable attending perhaps such as with people of similar interests or challenges. I've noticed local to me groups meeting up with learning difficulties is happening. Perhaps see the reduction in support you've typically experienced as an opportunity to look broader at suitable environments for you to break up your week or months. Also... regarding the day centre closure... there must be others you know in similar situation now looking for something that replaces what is lost from their day.. if you can.. see what they're doing or perhaps even try to arrange something... a regular meet up etc.

williewonder

At the old day centre they clients there were much less able so they're having extra PA hours to replace the day service, The mencap day services is a bit out of town so would need taxi's . I do have 117 but don't think I've had a meeting in ages, I've been on a community treatment order for 13 years and they just renew it every year, I don't attend the tribunals because its a waste of time getting off it, I see my LD community nurse every 2 weeks, then the 4th weeks is for my injection, he's not happy with social services because they've not been in touch. Will see what he says when I tell him I would like a Section 117 meeting to disuse my hours. I'm thinking about getting a mobility car so my staff can drive it and 10 extra hours would be nice. I can go on day trips.

elsien

I suggest you speak to your deputy about the mobility car. Our local appoinyee service considered it needs to be doing 100 miles a week in order to be financially worth, Plus, you need enough drivers who are available to drive the car on a regular basis. do you get the higher rate mobility PIP? 

It’s also not necessarily great exercise to use the car everywhere and can reduce independence for some people. For the odd day trip for example, you could use the bus or train. Just mentioning it because I think you’ve said before about wanting to improve your health.