meltedmarsbars - I'm not sure that's something they can do - the terms "child in need" and "disabled" are defined by law, in the Disability Discrimination Act and the Childrens Act.

The Disability Discrimination Act (1995) defines a person as having a disability ‘if he has a physical or mental impairment which has substantial and long-term adverse effect on his ability to carry out normal day to day activities’.

The Children Act 1989 also includes a definition: section 17 states that a child is disabled if ‘he [or she] is blind, deaf or dumb or suffers from mental disorder of any kind, or is substantially and permanently handicapped by illness, injury or congenital or other such disability as may be prescribed’.

The National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services, which was launched in September 2004, includes a standard on disabled children. The standard’s main themes are: services should promote social inclusion; increased access to services, co-ordinated around the needs of the child and family; earlier identification through integrated diagnosis and assessment; better early intervention and support for parents of disabled children; robust systems to safeguard disabled children from abuse; multi-agency transition planning for disabled young people entering adulthood; and palliative care for those who need it.

Sorry if that's all a bit dry... I found a document produced by Camden Council - basically aimed at all of the different organisations "speaking the same language" - it's mgot some useful definitions in - www.camden.gov.uk/ccm/cms-service/stream/asset/?asset_id=632174

Who thinks my Social Worker is in for a treat in Wednesdays meeting .

Hamsterlover: where I live ss are re-defining their terminology so only physically disabled (or is that "impaired" - see other thread) children are still being classified as disabled - and a lot of parents are missing out on help. To me this sounds like a cost-cutting exercise.

Sidge - each area defines its own Direct Payment system, here I can use the helper to our mutual satisfaction once she comes - sometimes she even washes up while I eat my dinner while its hot!! You need to tell SS when and how you need the help, and they can tell you what they can offer. Some people get a laundry service, others a sitter, others a carer to take a child swimming, etc.

Sorry to drop in at the end of this one but just thought you may be interested to know...

We eventually were given 8hrs per month "Sitting Service" and it's brilliant & just what we needed. A sitter comes to our home and looks after my DS (ASD) and any sibs too. If I need to take DS to an appointment that states no sibs, then the sitter and comes along too and minds the sibs there for me.

I understand that not all areas offer this service but it's really worth asking for just to see if you can get it.

Other than that, we get absolutely no other support.

Hi Jemm,
As he is classed as a child in need then he is entitled to an assessment - which you have had. The assessment should inform whether he/you as a family are eligible for services and what those services are. Just had a thought that she may not have wanted to class as child in need as if she does then she may have to start the child in need process, which would mean a multi agency meeting to discuss his/your needs as a family and a multi agency response to address those needs(e.g who is going to do what). Anyway its daft as he had the assessment because he was a child in need. Hope that helps

hamsterlover - one other thing - how does that change things... do have we have additional rights?

Thanks again - I knew you were ok .

J

hamsterlover - thought so - thanks!

Sidge - tell the social worker what they want to hear, which is that the dp's will be used to care for the disabled child, and then once set up just arrange yourself with the carer (who is someone that you employ) to look after both dd's. The system is crap so play the system...
Jemm - your son has a disability and is therefore automatically a 'child in need'. This is stated very clearly in section 17 of the children act.

meltedmarsbars yes I really should investigate Direct Payments. Are there strict criteria as to how it is to be used? I would love to pay someone to watch the girls for a couple of hours here and there so I could have some time just for me, but I assumed that the money would have to be used solely to care for the disabled child.

Yeah, we thought the DLA thing was bollocks - which is why we went ahead and applied.

Looked at homestart when we first had our verbal dx - and for some reason, decided it wasn't what we needed - will have another look though!

Earlybird - yes I'm, currently trying to round up enough people to get the next course going in our area.

I've already started with the "stroppy and vocal" - the social worker hates me already - frankly, I'm not at all concerned about this. I've maintained a fairly calm voice at all times, whilst firing off some rather erm, "assertive" emails... If that's what it takes to get where we need to be then so be it.

This is what get's me - we had a copy of the assessment this morning - on top of a few glaring ommisions - she's classed DS who has a dx of autism, as not being a "child in need" under the Children's Act... Eh?!

I've had a look - there's a section about if services aren't provided then it would have a "significant impact upon his development" - so is this going to be about semantics? It's bound to have an impact, therefore we need to define "significant"?

The next section has an additional definition of "the child is disabled" - answer... you guessed it "no" - how's that?!

hamsterlover Hi! Am I allowed to speak to you - I fear instant banishment to the outer reaches of MN for consorting with the enemy... I think we all know you're not all bad - actually /whispers DP works in social work... I'm sure it must be very frustrating wanting to make a difference and having obstacles in your way. Any thoughts on the above defintions? And any thoughts on additional services that people are entitled to?

My DP works in complaints... irony - oh yes - anyway, the bottom line with most of this should be that you don't need to get to breakdown position to get what you need, you just need to be able to shout, loud, to the right people. Again, there's a huge element of "unfariness" about this - a lot of the people most in need are probably those, least able to do the shouting.

Anyway, bottom line - you have a right to complain, S.S. have a statutory complaints procedure that they must follow. If you're not happy - write to them and copy it into anyone you think relevant, local MP, councillor, chief exec., relevant managers all being top of the list.

I think this is what's truly frustrating as a group - we know what we think we should receive in terms of support, we know other people get it, and we know that the main reason we have to fight is because people are protecting budgets - and it's wrong, wrong, wrong.

This post has turned mammoth and ranty... sorry!

*Thanks everyone*
J

SS provide us with respite care 2 nights per 4 weeks, with every third one on a weekend. (However the foster carer is retiring and we don't have a follow-up yet - aaagh!)

Also Direct payments 4 hours per week, carer is flexible and can come and muck in or babysit while we scarper!

Also access to summer playshemes with Transport (very important!).

also can find special childminders for you.

Sidge - why don't you try for Direct Payments?

Also home adaptations as needed.

....BUT you probably won't get anything until you are verging on a nervous breakdown.