Isn't it amazing what an email can do?

[melspice]

Had a call from Ben's SW yesterday. She said she couldn't forward the ILF form because Ben only gets 3 nights a month respite, and not 4. Seems stupid when you are trying to get extra respite, cos you're struggling, that you can't get it, cos you don't get enough respite anyway!!! :angry: :confused2 So then I asked when we will hear from adult services who take over Ben's case from Dec, and she said she had been trying to get in touch with the head of AS, but he wouldn't give an answer to when Ben's respite could be sorted. To which I replied they have had his name in since Jan of this year, and nothing has been done. She then told me to ring up and try! I did, and was told he was on annual leave! :angry: Told them it was urgent cos Ben is 18 on Xmas Eve, so said I was going to put a complaint in. Anyhoo, so mad I phoned my MP's office, Dennis McShane, and the lovely lady on the other end said she would get an email off to the council, and ask what is going on. RESULT! This morning, got a phone call from the elusive head of AS, apologising for the 'mix up' etc blah blah! A SW would be in touch asap to arrange a visit.She is coming out tomorrow afternoon. I then checked the post box, and had a letter from the House of Commons, sayin Mr McShane had expressed concern over Ben's case, and will keep us up to date with the response. Take it postal strikes dont affect MP's then! Can't believe how quickly he responded, so a big thankyou to an MP who actually does something for what he is paid! Will keep you posted on the meeting tomorrow.

xxMel

[mousemad]

Excellent result, hope everthing goes well!!

[lausan]

good for you
best wishes

[Britmummybites]

Good luck for the meeting

[purple myra]

excellent result, it really pays off to go right to the top when you feel you are getting nowhere/
when i was wee i thought my mum had a penpal called tony benn cos they corresponded so much!

[Saratoska]

brilliant news and good luck with SW tomorrow let us know how you get on.

[mainecoon lover]

Excellent result. I hope it all goes well tomorrow :fingers crossed:

[Alyson]

A good result, but annoying that people can't just get on with there responsibilities without a kick in the pants from an MP. Good for you for getting in touch with him, really pleased things are now moving in the right direction.

[loadsapixiedust]

Great result! Well done to your MP for his intervention.

[mazz]

brilliant news Mel and now that you've got their attention use it to your best advantage and spell it out clearly what you want from the service

wishing you well

[melspice]

Well, the SW from adult services came out today and did an assessment for Ben, so it will go to panel a week on thursday, and we will have his respite in place the day after. After all this time, and things finally seem to be moving! We're going back to visit a respite home we visited in March, and a place at the other side of town, which is a day centre for people with autism. She said there will be no problem with his ILF, as he obviously needs a high amount of care, and she also put in place plans for him to move into supported living accomodation when he is older.She also told us about other benefits we knew nothing about, ie income support etc., so we feel like someone has actually picked up the ball and is doing something for him! Thanks for all your support, and I'll keep you posted! At least we can go on holiday knowing it's all sorted!

xxMel

[mazz]

great news Mel for both you and Ben

sounds like you've got a good social worker, you say a panel meets?

if the panel is to discuss care needs for Ben you should be there, they may just be talking money and who's going to meet what costs but at the very least you should feel that you have a voice on this, it may be your SW is going to be your voice so a good one is vital

tell her you will not settle for 2nd best if they come back with an unsuitable package

fingers crossed for you :)

[melspice]

Thanks Mazz. I think they know I'm not putting up with being fobbed off anymore! Even she said people in her office were appalled that we had been left to cope like we have. Like you said, we have to be gobby to get anywhere, and now I'm informed, they can't give me any BS!!

xxMel

[spider]

I'm glad that everything seems to be going well now, I know that I will have this in the not too distant future with my Ben, though I am glad that I have 5(ish) years to go.

I get 3 respite sessions per month too at the moment, I have asked for a re-assessment since my mum passed away as school holidays have been stretched as my mum and dad used to have him on odd days, but am still waiting for a SW to be asigned, it's "only" been 7 months (?!?!) and because I can't deal with any hassles at the moment I have let it slide....but will get onto them once I get Christmas over and done with.

I do get worried what will happen to Ben once he grows up and we have to tackle Adult Services, the Children's Services are bad enough :(

Good luck for the panel meeting, keep us posted!!!

[mazz]

Sharon, have you asked for a carers asessment for you, they should be offering to assess your needs too so they can include that in with your sons assessment, they must look at the full family to see if you may need more or less help, losing a family member who helped care increases the pressure on yourself

if they haven't offered you an assessment ask for one

you also need to do the phone thing where you take names and move on up the chain of comand to get them to sit up and take notice, ringing once or twice a day until you get a date for a SW to come out, 7 months is just not acceptable :angry: time to start kicking butts

if you've allready done this and have names of who you spoke to and what was said it's time to speak to the director of social services asking why it's taking so long

you can get phone numbers and emails for this person from your local authority website, good luck :)

[melspice]

Hi Sharon! Like Mazz says, get on their backs!! I know it's a lot of hassle, but I was left to 'get on with it' cos I didn't know who to ask, and didn't know what I was asking for.The earlier you get things in place, the easier it will be for you. It doesn't seem 2 minutes since Ben was the same age as your Ben. I also asked the SW about the supported living, for when Ben is 24 or 25, as the wheels have to be put in motion now for funding.Isn't it great having a place like this for support?! I know I would still be behind the door if I hadn't had so much information! Good luck!

xxMel

[Sheeps68]

Brilliant News!!!! I am really pleased. Its cases like yours I feel so bad for. As a support worker who works for Social services who is currently off sick I feel so bad for my families who I'm sure will have not got the service they deserved whilst I was off despite my calling the office a few times to ask that things were done. I shall be back next week trying to put things to rights as I always take the view of do my best for everyone and be honest. I hate it when other staff just put things off and people need answers and actually its often easier to make one phone call to get things sorted anyway. I hope none of my families ever need to contact an MP to get things progressed like you did but needs must. Also I know having an additional set of needs myself how what seems simple things can have such a huge impact.

[melspice]

Brilliant News!!!! I am really pleased. Its cases like yours I feel so bad for. As a support worker who works for Social services who is currently off sick I feel so bad for my families who I'm sure will have not got the service they deserved whilst I was off despite my calling the office a few times to ask that things were done. I shall be back next week trying to put things to rights as I always take the view of do my best for everyone and be honest. I hate it when other staff just put things off and people need answers and actually its often easier to make one phone call to get things sorted anyway. I hope none of my families ever need to contact an MP to get things progressed like you did but needs must. Also I know having an additional set of needs myself how what seems simple things can have such a huge impact.


Wish more people who worked for SS (pardon the pun!) were like you!Thanks for your support, and hope you are better soon!

xxMel