Social care 'review' i.e. want to pull our carer hours, any help/ideas?

[AfterInfo]

Our 'Children with Disabilities' team social worker phoned last week to say she wanted to come out to see us and to 'warn' us that she needs to do a review and they may pull our carers hours and she messed up and gave us too many (this was after 9 months of them assessing us as needing support and then not doing anything about it - until an emergency).

I work full time, my husband is waiting to have an operation (said emergency) and can't do any lifting of our 13 year old with cerebral palsy (she needs physical help with everything). When he got a hernia we were given hours to cover the time our daughter gets home until I can get home from work.

Husband is still waiting for op and to be honest is really not the appropriate person to do our daughters personal care anymore, as a teenage young lady (in all ways starting this month!)

What can we say / do at this review meeting to keep our care hours - we were really struggling and this has made SUCH a BIG difference to us and has given us some 'family' time not just always care needs, care needs, care needs.

???????????????

Thanks!!

[bochead]

Oh what a shame!

Never mind I've just located this uber mega expensive residential placement that you could replace the measly respite with. I'll have her ready for you to escort on Monday.

[Icimoi]

You obviously need to ask them what they say has changed and how they suggest dd is going to get the care which they have to provide by law without this.

I would also strongly advise getting the advice of a solicitor specialising in community care. I think you'd be able to get legal aid in dd's name if you don't qualify in your own right.

[Wurstwitch]

Are you Hampshire based? They pull this a lot. They usually reinstate 6 months later, and add it to the stats claiming everyone's respite has been increased

But yes, I suggest you stand firm and ask what has changed that means you require less help...

In the longer term, you could reflect on whether it would be possible to change your work hours, look into extended schools program for dd, etc. but don't tell them any of that.

[AfterInfo]

Thanks for the replies. Yes, Hampshire! Nice to know this is a 'usual' move - do they have any idea it's real peoples lives they are messing with?!

She is coming tomorrow, so we will just have to stay firm and say they can't pull the hours we now have. DH will refuse to do any personal care. Any other 'tip's on what to say would be great. Hate the thought of saying they need to look at residential, but if needs must.. sure the care hours would be a LOT cheaper for them ;-)

[MariaNotChristmas]

Ask to speak to the practice manager or consultant's secretary, so the GP practice or hospital can confirm in writing that he's still not had the planned operation.

If she can get the GP or consultant to add that he is therefore still isn't able to lift, even better.

[Wurstwitch]

Ugh. I'm sorry I was right, honestly. I haven't lived there for 5 years, but some things never change.
Good luck x

[MariaNotChristmas]

Ask for an urgent reassessment for an increase in hours Then they can halve your package on paper, but double it straight back up because of the 'new' emergency

Help your SW to game the system & help you

[Wurstwitch]

That's a great idea, and totally playing them at their own game.
Yes, I would cite that you need an increase for personal hygiene reasons due to menstruation starting/ puberty in general and it not being suitable for dh to carry out intimate care any longer.