Anonymous illwisher putting Autistic family at risk. Emergency Monday London.

[Isabeller]

I’m looking for help to find a solicitor or other support person to accompany a disabled adult in London on Monday morning.

Brief thumbnail - I consider myself as an Aunty to this young family as our children are distantly related, but they are not my blood relations.

My niece has two disabled children, 10yo with EHCP and DLA and 4yo more disabled, very high needs, in process of getting help.

She and her kid’s Dad are both on the Autism Spectrum. I am trying to support them (from several hundred miles away) in getting the help they need with and for their lovely boys. They are dedicated, loving parents and knock themselves out daily to meet their children’s needs.

A couple of years ago an anonymous accusation to Social Services was found to be malicious. Now an anonymous ill wisher has alleged the Dad is committing benefit fraud, he has an intellectual disability and is completely confused by the phone calls and questions.

I got a very distressed call from them about something housing related late last night and it all came out. He’s being called in for interview on Monday morning and I am seriously worried he will be pressurised or persuaded into signing a self incriminating statement he can’t read or understand. At a minimum he needs someone with him. It’s impossible for me to be there.

My niece is trying to organise a Housing Association move to more suitable accommodation for the children and is overwhelmed by the admin involved. I offered to act as a remote ‘support worker’ to help with the housing admin as they are both getting totally overwhelmed by anxiety.

I firmly believe there is some good person who can help, please help me find them.

Please help

It might be worth trying to find a local autism group and see if anyone could help. We have a lot of active Facebook groups in our area and if someone local were in a similar situation I’m sure you’d find someone to help here but we are miles away from London too.

Good idea, thank you 💐

Yes this is a good shout

You can look for their local ward councillor and see if they will respond to an email or tweet to ask if there are any support services who might be able to help at short notice. Is the appointment with the job centre?

This sounds like a good idea. As a last resort could you join the meeting on the phone, put on speaker so you could hear, make it clear when he can't understand and at least stop him signing anything incriminating?

Can you write an email for him to take with him that basically states he needs an independent Advocate appointing before he is interviewed. Alternatively tell him to ask for an independent advocate.

Alternatively if you can get an email address of the person he is meeting email and say he needs an advocate. Anyway you can, get the request on record.

Google the relevant LA’s website and search for advocate.

www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/advocacy/social-care-advocates/

www.harrow.gov.uk/adult-social-care/speaking-adults-care-needs-disabilities