So ds1 has finally & entirely predictably put his head through the window

[gess]

6 months after social services agreed that they needed to install secondary double glazing for safety purposes.

I am beyond pissed off. What is the sodding point in ageeing to do the work then not doing it. He is OK luckily- but trying to now break the other windows (with his head) as he thinks it's funny and he likes symmetry.

I wasn't going to drink tonight.

[gess]

I'll be ringing them at 9am on Monday, as will dh I think! Actually not sure how to chase it up- probably via entirely reasonable OT although feel like ringing up and shouting at someone. Perhaps stinking letter (praising OT at the same time) is in order.

[luckylady74]

do you think ss will feel a twinge of guilt? i'd take photos and be tempted to add tomato sauce to your ds1's head for added impact.

[sphil]

Oh Gess - what a pita .

[gess]

I'll take phtotos of the window. DS1 is fine, just walking around the house experimentally headbutting every window.
And can I get a glazier? No I sodding can't, not until Monday.

[Davros]

Oh yes, we had this one! Bedroom window got smashed (purely out of interest and to see what would happen) one boxing day several years ago. We installed a "shutter", i.e. MDF panel with locks over the whole window but with cut-outs that make it look like a shutter. Although temprary at the time, it has been there for about 5 years and has been great during summer as it keeps the light out. We are going to get rid of it quite soon - DS also used to throw a lot of stuff out of the windows. He also smashed the bathroom window during a tantrum and that was replaced with toughened glass, also the person with him at the time was much more heavily controlled! She was OK but a bit too airy fairy!!! We still have a couple of dents in walls where he smashed his head backwards, its interesting to see what height he was (our walls are very soft being horsehair and lathe but still!).

[gess]

we costed the shutters Davros, but too pricey (we have weird windows as well and there wasn;t a way to make it work), so secondary it is if SS ever pull their finger out. He is fine, not a scratch, when I mention the window he rubs his head then laughs.

[Blu]

Oh Gess how horrible. Poor Ds, thank goodness he is ok.

What a pain. And how outrageous for you to have to wait for such a vital safety measure. AND the added factor that hecaue he was able to break it he now wants to break the others. if the glass had been installed the ongoing problem would not have started. Grrrrrr. I am not at all surprised you are a lot more than pissed off.

Really sorry.

[Davros]

We just got the local bodger to make the "shutter". We have had to do lots of things to ensure safety and have paid ourselves, despite me asking Soc Svs, its just quicker/easier. Mind you, I wouldn't fork out for secondary glazing and why should you???

[gess]

Both the OT and building inspector said it was needed urgently, it just hasn't happened (in the meantime there's been yet another shuffle of dept and the procedure has changed). I don't have a SW (how crazy is that?) We're worried thatr he'll go completely through the upstairs ones.

And of course I now have totry and book a glazier for when ds1 is at respite, probably lucky none were available tonight- he would have been a nightmare.

[gess]

I would fork out for secondary if we could afford it Davros, but we can't! (Because as you say its easier and I prefer just getting something done that pissing around with SS), but it was in the 'impossible' category so easy decision to make iyswim.

[gess]

OH FOR FUCKS SAKE

I phoned SS this morning, and apparently our case is a long way off happening because we haven't filled out an application form. We haven't filled out an application form because in the year since we started this process we've never been given one, nor did we know of the existence of such a thing We've had OTs and building inspectors out and signed various reports they wrote.

She said "I think you'll have to get the window repaired". I said that I was intending to as that wasn't part of the application but that it was liable to happen again as he is now wandering around the house headbutting windows.

"oh it must be worry' she said

Too fucking right.

[onlyjoking9329]

yes it is a Fucking worry so when are they sorting it? Numpties

[tibni]

What a nightmare! Glad your little man is ok.

Do you have a record of dates of OT / Inspectors visits? As a long shot it maybe worth e mailing and sending a follow up letter (recorded delivery) explaining what has happened, how the risk was already known to and you believed being dealt with by the service and that by failing to act on the known risk by fitting the "promised?" (had they actually agreed to secondary double glazing?) glazing your son is in immediate danger.

Request an written acknowlegement of your information with a date that they will rectify the problem by. (experience has shown me that no department wants to put in writing their faliure)

Not dealt with SS myself, so no idea if any of this will speed the process up .... but having everything in writing always helps.

Do you have any local organistaions that might be able to help with grants etc? There maybe emergency grants available.

best of luck

[expatinscotland]

, gess.

Damn, what a way to start the week.

[gess]

I'll dig out the reports etc tonight. They had agreed verbally, I doubt it's an official agreement though. The last time we saw the OT was in June at ds1's annual review- dh asked what was happening and she said it was slow and would chase it up. She then contacted me to say it had been chased.

I suspect that we have fallen through the cracks because I had a letter recently saying that they were changing the way these cases were dealt with but that our application had started under one system so would carry on being dealt with that way, although it sounds this morning as if that is not the case. Somene is coming out tomorrow to fill in the application with us, but we've been told it will be ages yet.

We won't get grants as we earn too much (disabled facilities grants are not means tested for children). Unfortunately years of paying for autism has left us in debt, the plastics all full so no chance of getting the work done (it's thousands).

Actually am going to search for OT's number and try and ring her to find out what we did fill in (I'm sure she put in an application).

[gess]

Just spoken to our OT who said all the paperwork has been done, just under the old system, and she chased up in June and was told that they would be trying to speed it through.

She's now chasing it up for me.

[Blandmum]

oh fuckity, fuckity fuck!

Shit, are you all OK?

[gess]

we're fine - ds1 is in a double glazed house at the moment (respite ;o)

Why, I wonder do the words 'couldn't oraganise a piss up in a brewery' spring to mind when I consider our local SS.

I hope the OT can sort it- she's very good, has been helpful all along.

[Blandmum]

Must have been so scary!

Honestly, what did they think was going to happen????

Makes you want to cry and/or drink lots.

Hugs

[gess]

I drank lots

It was very out of the blue, I was standing next to him at the time. DH was just unloading some Sainsbury's shopping, I was finishing sweeping up crumbs in the front room when he headbutted the window! Luckily only a small hole, the rest just shattered but stayed put.

Stupidly I shrieked then flipped and we all ran around looking stressed so now he thinks it's hilarious.

[gess]

OT has phone back, apparently this is the next stage of the process. She said with him having done this it confirms the need and she's going to try and push it forwards.

[tibni]

Really hope they get it sorted really quickly.