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Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

SN children

Respite care

19 replies

SoBlue · 31/08/2005 20:00

Can anyone please tell me what kind of respite care they get from SS. I have a ds ASD 4 who gets play therapy once a week but I am looking for a bit of a break as in a few hours weekly(pref). SS are saying i must fund this through a child minder as i get DLA etc. I know this isn't right but don't know what they can do. Any help would be appreciated.

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BLANKfloozypuddingandpie · 31/08/2005 20:12

I'm sure this isn't right, do you have a community nurse you can speak to? I used to be an LD nurse, but I'm a bit out of touch now.

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Nbg · 31/08/2005 20:13

Hi SoBlue

I don't normally post on the special needs boards but thought I could offer a bit of advice.

My dh works in a unit which was set up for children with special needs for respite care. They normally go for a day and some of them sleep over for the night and go home the next day. They organise day trips for the children and all sorts of activities.
Dh does this part time as we both work for another company which offers all sorts of care work sometimes involving respite.
Again dh, has looked after a young girl and boy both with Autism. He would look after them for the day, taking them out or staying at their home just playing and sometimes even trying to make dinner together, things like that.

I know that the childrens SW is involved with the arrangement of care but I'm unsure of how they go about it.
I hope this helps a little and I hope you get some help

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SoBlue · 31/08/2005 20:42

BLANK...i do have a community nursery nurse who does one hour a week play therapy. My HV arranged her and refered me to SS. They were less than helpful. NBG this was what i was looking for i didnt want him to sleep out but they think that means i don't need it. As they are trying to say they don't offer it unless its overnight/weekend?

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coppertop · 31/08/2005 20:45

I know some of the mumsnetters on here get Direct Payments which they use to pay for help and respite. Hopefully someone will be along soon who knows much more about it than I do.

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katymac · 31/08/2005 20:48

SoBlue, I don't think you're going to like what I'm going to say.....

I'm a childminder and have been on a variety of courses for differing special needs. I am not any sort of expert but an interested and caring person.

I contacted SS to ask if I could offer respite care for SN children and was told several weeks later (after loads of calls to chase it up) that SS don't offer this and would only consider place children needing respite care with a foster carer.

DH & I have had a run in with the foster system, so we don't want to do that. But as we run a large childminding setting we thought it would be nice to be able to help.

SS just told us to get lost as that sort of care is not needed

Sorry

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Nbg · 31/08/2005 20:50

You can't have it unless he stops over?

Have you got a SW? If so it might be worth a chat and some investigation. Find someone that could provide the respite for you.

Where abouts in the country are you?

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goosey · 31/08/2005 20:57

I am a childminder SoBlue and well over half of my work is offering respite care for children with special needs. Most of it is funded either directly from Social Services who I invoice each month, or via Direct Payments from the families themselves.
From what I have learnt (and I do not have experience myself as I do not have a child of my own with special needs)if the social worker assesses that as a family you have a need for respite then they go to try to secure funding for you which they either use to provide the service for you or give to you in the form of a direct payment for you to buy your own provision. This is a very simple explanation and I'm sure others who have direct experience ca tell you a lot more.

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SoBlue · 31/08/2005 21:02

Katy SS don't provide childminers they were going to give me a list and suggesting i arrange it privately but i know they can offer me help just not sure what, as they are not telling me. I live in the Bedford area and they are very stretched i know at the moment. They were saying they don't provide just day time care NBG. Suggesting that maybe i wasn't that needy if i was not asking for overnight.

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Nbg · 31/08/2005 21:07

My dh knows alot more of the ins and out's of this than me.
When he comes home tomorrow I'll ask him and see if he knows a bit more.

Sorry I can't be anymore help.

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SoBlue · 31/08/2005 21:07

Maybe i was wrong then GOOSEY. This is the problem they are not telling me. They closed my case without even coming round to see him. Because my HV didn't provide enough evidence or follow it up. They hadn't even had his Ed Psych report or his statement assesment which he is getting funding at level D.

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SoBlue · 31/08/2005 21:09

That would be good Nbg thanks

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katymac · 31/08/2005 21:10

I'm just a bit peeved that I wanted to help...but can't

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SoBlue · 31/08/2005 21:17

Its all politics and money unfortunately

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katymac · 31/08/2005 21:19

Tell me about it....what was the point of SureStart funding all the training - if no-one wants to use me?

It seems silly

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goosey · 31/08/2005 21:26

katymac in my area there is a really big need and I am struggling to fit it all in. It is mostly weekend and holiday care though that I provide as that is the time when families can make the most use of the respite care to benefit their other children and spend quality family time together.
I think the respite funding is the problem as the departments have to prioritise their spending.

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nikkie · 31/08/2005 22:35

Cumbria offers direct payments -so parents can arrange their own carers etc. but also provide support workers(very rare) through agencies( majority not experienced or qualified)some children (mainly older ones ) get it through the health service(LD).
There is also 2 respite units taking children from the age of 8 for tea visits, building up to day care and then over nights.

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Jimjams · 31/08/2005 23:02

I get direct payments which we can use as we see fit. I have used it to buy in an extra pair of hands this summer (18 hours a week). The person I employed is a trainee SALT with years of experience as a nanny- she looked after ds2 and ds3 leaving me with a complete pair of hands to deal with ds1 (meant I could take him out for a few hours each day).

DS1 also goes to goosey - allowing us to take the other 2 out somewhere.

Our SS are very big into direct payments- I found goosey (or she found me ) but SS were very excited as it is so hard to find people who are able to work directly with ds1 (biggest problem with ds1). When I said she was PECS trained they almost keeled over with delight.

from the pov of an employer (via dp's) I love childminders as they are self employed which saves me huge amounts of hassle. Our SALT person has finished now but another local childminder has contacted me (via SS) to see about occasional extra shifts (not with ds1- with her in my home looking after ds2 and ds3 during hols, so I can deal with ds1). I'm hoping she can do a few hours next week- as for me - the more people I have on board the better.

katymac- it nmight be worth you contacting the local parent SN group, or local specila schools as anyone receiving direct payments can employ whoever they like. The main problem we have as parents (and I've heard it again and again) is finding someone to employ. Some councils are dragging their heels on direct payments but there is a central govt push for them so they should all have to catch up soon.

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Fio2 · 01/09/2005 09:36

social services are disgusting replying like that to you katymac, honestly they make me sick

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SoBlue · 01/09/2005 20:34

Thanks for your replies, nikkie he is in ms at the mo but they won't take him full time till 2006 he should be now if he was nt. I will ask the senco as you suggested. JJ you have explained the process very well, you certainly need it with 3! I did ring to ask for no's of sn childminders from council and they only have 1 for autistic children! Hope SS have some in mind if i get any help.