Direct Payment- how, where, which when?

[JakB]

Right, seriously need to get on to this (spurred on by meltdown morning, feeling so stressed).
How much should I expect?
How do I go about it?
What do I say to the social worker?
And so on...
DD severe autism, needs almost continual observation plus a 3-year-old. No help at all unless mum down as my DH leaves at 6.30-7am and gets back at 8pm.
It's been a seriously stressful day today

[JakB]

bumping up

[geekgrrl]

I guess it depends on where you live.
We get sweet FA.

My friend whose little boy is severely autistic gets 3 hrs per week during the holidays.

[buzylizy]

jakb your in Brighton arn't you. where is your sw based?

[JakB]

geekgrrl, have you been turned down? I do live in Brighton, my sw is the B&H childrens disability team, I think

[buzylizy]

is that the one's in portslade.

[geekgrrl]

well, not turned down as such - they just never contacted us again and when I finally got hold of someone 8 months later I was told that they'd spent all their allowance.

[buzylizy]

I asked about where your sw was based as I think we are probally covered by same group. Do you have a named sw or are you covered by duty? also have you heard about the playschemes at woodingdean and portslade. All going well dd is going to the one at portslade at easter.
I have found that I have had to fight to get help. Lucky My sw is very good and understanding. I have found that I have to tell him that we are at the end of our tether?have marriage problems ect to get extra help. I am sure if tell them how it is(BAD DAY) they will help.
My friend lives in west sussex and she got more help as she had an under 5.

[JakB]

Yeah, haven't got one at the mo, need to get back on their list! Will let you know how I get on.
Two mums I know get 6 hours a week, One gets 8 hours (but she has a 1-year-old as well as two boys, one who has autism)

[buzylizy]

I had a bit of trouble a few years back getting a sw they decided to put dd on the duty list when her sw left. i got fed up with having to explain everything when I phoned up so I kicked up a stink and got a named sw.Why are you going fro direct payments. Sorry if I seem nosy. don't often get to talk to someone in same town and I know nothing about direct payments.

[buzylizy]

was I being too nosy

[edam]

JakB, you need to talk to Mencap - they are piloting DPs for people with learning disabilities and have all the info you need. Project is called In Control, led by Stephen Duffy. Don't have access to contact details right now, but get on to Mencap.

In West Sussex, they worked out the average budget people started with - ie based on using existing services - was £70k a year, btw.

[JakB]

Heh buzylizy, you don't seem nosy at all! That's what this forum is all about. I want direct payments to pay for an 'extra pair of hands', even a few days a week for a couple of hours around tea-time. DD needs alot of 1:1 to stay safe and I find it hard with DS (3) too. Mums who have it say it's a lifesaver. Thanks for that info, Edam, very interesting. Will investigate...

[buzylizy]

Try phoning the CDT and speak to the on duty sw they might be able to advise you.

[Blossomhill]

JakB - I get dp's for my dd. I spoke to children with disabilities team and asked for a care plan assessment. We already get 2 days for both children at a holiday scheme in main holidays (summer, easter and xmas).

The sw came and spoke to us at home and observed dd at school. We get 2 hrs per week term time. A carer takes dd trampolining or other things they do.

[MABS]

Jak - is this something i would be able to get? have never heard of it.