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Original poster

Council have asked me to move my keysafe, for the carers round the back of the block of flats.

188 replies

patsy999 · 27/07/2024 07:46

Does anyone know if the council are in the wrong here. I have a keysafe for the carers, which i was given permission for when i moved in 6 years ago.
Next door keeps complaining that it makes a noise and they have written to me asking for it to be moved round the back.
The back way isnt very safe in the winter as there is a very dim light round there, but the councils answer to that was the carers can use the torch on their phones.
I cant get the new keysafe fitted till fri the 2nd, so the carers cant use the keysafe till then.
Its a block of flats, with a communal back and front door.

OP posts:
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MusicMakesItAllBetter · 31/07/2024 18:47

patsy999 · 27/07/2024 08:05

Its being fixed on fri the 2nd, round the back with a brand new digital keysafe, as the old cover was smashed completely of.
The care company arent happy about it though and i cant blame them as they need access.
Its also going to cost me £80, out of my benefit money.

I’m a carer and have entered many properties using a key safe. I cannot remember ever any being so loud that it disrupts someone inside a building.

SpanThatWorld · 30/07/2024 10:29

WindsurfingDreams · 30/07/2024 07:55

In my old role I was one of the direct points of contact from councillors. If they had flagged something this palpably stupid to me I would absolutely have made sure it was sorted the same day. I often did.

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And when I was a Councillor, an email from a constituent that was this ridiculous would have been pinged straight to the appropriate person for action.

When it works, it works .

Lorrymum · 30/07/2024 08:49

Thank goodness, common sense should always win.

WindsurfingDreams · 30/07/2024 07:56

MistressoftheDarkSide · 30/07/2024 07:14

I suspect whoever got landed with this first thing on a Monday morning rolled their eyes, muttered "FFS" and nipped it in the bud before it turned into hours of pointless bureaucratic wrangling and diverted time and resources better spent elsewhere, which is how anyone with an ounce of common sense and empathy would react, surely?

I would also hope that the original jobsworth was given a bit of a refresher in all aspects of their job and what really constitutes anti social behaviour.

The most important thing is that it's been resolved with as little stress to the OP as possible given the circumstances. OP I wish you well and hope your twatty neighbour winds his neck in x

Agreed. So pleased they saw sense and really glad you challenged this op.

WindsurfingDreams · 30/07/2024 07:55

Janiie · 30/07/2024 07:01

Well ime it takes at least a couple of weeks for councillors to respond to phone calls or emails, then to liaise with all relevant parties and gather relevant info and to then action a response. To have done all this in one day is really quite remarkable.

Show quote history

In my old role I was one of the direct points of contact from councillors. If they had flagged something this palpably stupid to me I would absolutely have made sure it was sorted the same day. I often did.

MistressoftheDarkSide · 30/07/2024 07:14

I suspect whoever got landed with this first thing on a Monday morning rolled their eyes, muttered "FFS" and nipped it in the bud before it turned into hours of pointless bureaucratic wrangling and diverted time and resources better spent elsewhere, which is how anyone with an ounce of common sense and empathy would react, surely?

I would also hope that the original jobsworth was given a bit of a refresher in all aspects of their job and what really constitutes anti social behaviour.

The most important thing is that it's been resolved with as little stress to the OP as possible given the circumstances. OP I wish you well and hope your twatty neighbour winds his neck in x

Janiie · 30/07/2024 07:01

WindsurfingDreams · 29/07/2024 20:59

Not at all unusual once a good councillor gets involved in my experience

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Well ime it takes at least a couple of weeks for councillors to respond to phone calls or emails, then to liaise with all relevant parties and gather relevant info and to then action a response. To have done all this in one day is really quite remarkable.

WindsurfingDreams · 29/07/2024 20:59

Janiie · 29/07/2024 18:07

Well that's quite a prompt response all sorted in a day? Great news.

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Not at all unusual once a good councillor gets involved in my experience

WindsurfingDreams · 29/07/2024 20:58

patsy999 · 29/07/2024 18:04

Thanks all been sorted. With the help of the councillor and the social worker. Keysafe can stay where it is.

Good!

Whatevershallidowithmylife · 29/07/2024 20:37

That’s fabulous, well done you for not taking this nonsense without a fight!

DPotter · 29/07/2024 20:36

Well done patsy and well done to your councillor and social worker!

viques · 29/07/2024 20:00

Excellent news.

halava · 29/07/2024 19:32

Watch out for neighbour reaction now. Best of luck, as if you hadn't enough to deal with already.

Janiie · 29/07/2024 18:07

patsy999 · 29/07/2024 18:04

Thanks all been sorted. With the help of the councillor and the social worker. Keysafe can stay where it is.

Well that's quite a prompt response all sorted in a day? Great news.

Original poster
patsy999 · 29/07/2024 18:04

Thanks all been sorted. With the help of the councillor and the social worker. Keysafe can stay where it is.

OP posts:
KittenKins · 29/07/2024 13:03

A lot of councils insist on key safes not being placed on the front of the property as it highlights a potentially vulnerable person.

In winter it was a pain for the carers, & kept them in the rain for longer but, as suggested, they used torches on their mobiles.

Hopefully the combined pressure of ASC & the care provider will sort things.

Blueroses99 · 29/07/2024 11:21

canyouseemyhousefromhere · 29/07/2024 08:54

How stressful for you.
I had to use my phone torch recently while trying to access a friend's key safe & the porch light bulb had blown, it was really awkward as I couldn't use the key safe one handed so ended up holding my phone in my mouth! It took me ages!
I'd definitely resist this.

Good point, can the keysafe being proposed be opened with one hand? Otherwise the carer isn’t going to be able to manage with a phone torch in one hand.

Sansan18 · 29/07/2024 09:03

LlynTegid · 27/07/2024 08:32

I agree.

Also then follow the complaints procedure, remind the Council of their duty of care, and quite possibly the carers are women and/or people from ethnic minorities, more likely to be or feel vulnerable.

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Ask the caring agency if they can risk assess the new location. It sounds like you need a new key safe anyway but I don't understand why it needs a new location.

canyouseemyhousefromhere · 29/07/2024 08:54

How stressful for you.
I had to use my phone torch recently while trying to access a friend's key safe & the porch light bulb had blown, it was really awkward as I couldn't use the key safe one handed so ended up holding my phone in my mouth! It took me ages!
I'd definitely resist this.

Harmonypus · 29/07/2024 02:39

I've got a social services approved and fitted key safe outside my front door, Anna the only noise it makes is if you alarm the cover shut, otherwise it's practically silent.
So I can't see how anyone can say that a key safe is noisy and is ignore any instructions to move it.

GillianCarole · 29/07/2024 02:25

patsy999 · 27/07/2024 08:19

The council did ask me to move it round the back. Got a letter pushed through the door yesterday after a phonecall.

If anything were to happen to the carers when walking down an unlit path, the council would be liable. It's not good enough for the council to say carers can use the torches on their phones - they're not that bright. If I was the caring agency, I would tell the carers not to comply. The keysafe needs to be easily accessed by you and the carers. I don't believe that you should pay for it either. Have you spoken to your local councillor, or MP? They can liaise with the council on your behalf.

ErinBell01 · 29/07/2024 00:35

patsy999 · 27/07/2024 08:19

The council did ask me to move it round the back. Got a letter pushed through the door yesterday after a phonecall.

I'd be telling the council that you are getting a new quieter one and it's going on the front because the carers won't go round the back.

Clarabellemt · 28/07/2024 21:16

I hope you get a good outcome. It's definitely a good idea to talk to your social worker. I think the council would be in some difficulty if your carers can't get safe access.

fluffiny31 · 28/07/2024 20:44

Even with a torch the care company should risk assess and if they deem unsafe can refuse care. Ask the care agency to back you and say that even with a torch we don't deem it safe for staff. Staff safety is paramount especially when lone working on evenings in winter. The council have 2 options, put a better light in, or put the key safe on the front.

Original poster
patsy999 · 28/07/2024 20:30

I have emailed my social worker. My care isnt fully funded by adult social care. I have to pay a percentage. £200 a month.

OP posts:
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