DS:MH diagnosis/housing crisis

[Masie24]

Have been here before talking about oldest DS who has a long established habit of going missing from hospital/rehab/community settings. He has a diagnosis of schizophrenia.

Repeatedly he has left the temporary housing given to him by the Council, handing in his key and telling Council officials that he will not be back, only to contact us a couple of days later, needing money to get back and to return to his flat. Last time the Council only just agreed to let him back in.This is a long established pattern.
On Wednesday DS did it again, handing in his keys and leaving, without our even knowing. Last night he texted to say that he was in a hostel with only £2.00 left.The Council have stated that this time, they will not accept him back. Nor will they put him on the Housing Register, without which he cannot be referred to supported accommodation eg Housing Association.

We cannot go on suffering the cost of all this, financial or emotional.The Council's decision to in effect terminate his case does not take into consideration his MH condition, surely flouting housing legislation. We need more help from the Council and from his MH Team, who are taking no initiative. Can anyone suggest how we can put pressure on them, or find out about a suitable placement which might be funded under Section 117 Aftercare Funding? Many thanks.

Update - DS is back as his money rang out. Presently with DH in at A and E. Council saying they have discharged him and won't even entertain him on the housing register which is the only pathway to independent/supported living.

So on Monday back to conversations with his MH team but they feel unable to overide council. As our local councillor said, they have a duty to consider his accommodation but to date have barely done so,

Not only MH, but DS is in very poor physical health and has next to no understanding of what he's done (eg hand keys in) and why.

DH and I are exhausted, we work round the clock to fund DS' needs, especially when he goes missing, and we have other children. I'm on my knees with exhaustion and worry.

He can’t be the only one who has ever mishandled his council housing due to mental health problems! You’d think they would have a way to work with this situation.

I hope things get better for the whole family soon.

Have you tried various mental health charities and shelter? A solicitor who knows about that sort of thing?

What an awful situation for you all, I wish I had better advice.

Hi Masie24

I'm sorry I have no real advice but I wanted to sympathise with you. My daughter also has complex MH needs (for the last 7 years-she is 24 now) although the diagnosis is now uncertain it was thought she had a psychotic disorder at first. She has been extremely difficult and it became apparent very early on that if she was to live with us I was going to have a breakdown. I've been on antidepressants since it all started just to help me cope. She hasn't been able to work and its not looking likely she ever will IMO. We have not had any help from the mental health team for the last 3 years as she was discharged!

I did manage to get her a council flat which she then left but have since managed to get her a housing association flat (I was very lucky here and thought I was going to have to just guarantee her rent forever somewhere else)

It is so unfair that we are left to pick up the pieces with no help. Your son sounds like he has more difficulties than my daughter though-as if he has no insight? If it was me I think I would just kick up as much fuss as possible with the mental health team and possibly the council and your MP. It is ridiculous. Your son needs properly supported accommodation.

I wish you all the best.