Direct Payments or lack of

[Fififizz]

Hi, I have a teen in specialist school. I applied for a soc care assessment. I was warned on here about the safeguarding team etc. I’ve argued and argued about being assessed by child with disability team but LA won’t budge. Anyway LA now said not eligible for DP. No surprise really as I don’t think the FAST team understands disability, ASC etc. DS barriers are around social comms and forming suitable friendships, hobbies etc he’s filling his time apart from what we’ve managed to put in place (football and cricket- neither of which have produced friendships other than attending) online which is fraught with difficulties. As a teen he wants to break free, independence etc. How do I get his needs across to FAST team and what can I get DP to help with around these things please? Struggling to make the LA understand.

Thx

Do you mean children’s services have refused all support rather than just refused direct payments (which is one way of support being funded)?

Have you complained? If after complaining to the LA you aren’t satisfied, you can request ask for an independent review. Then if still not sorted, you can complain to the LGO. In some cases, JR may be possible.

If/when you next appeal the EHCP you can request social care needs and provision is also looked at. Including requesting the LA is directed to involve the CwD team. Although it sounds like some of the provision you are looking at is actually special educational provision - social care provision that educates or trains actually belongs in F.

Thanks, yes I believe they’ve refused all support but have just mentioned direct payments which seems to be their thing to be honest getting any information about the assessment, services, outcomes etc has been impossible in spite of complaints etc. I currently have a stage 2 complaint in about lack of information, delay, it’s taken 12 months to be assessed and then be given Early Help and told the soc worker feels there’s no needs to support. I blame it mainly on the fact that she’s from the FAST team and wearing her safeguarding not disability informed hat! I think I’ll just appeal it now.

Do you currently have the right of appeal for the EHCP? You can’t just appeal the social care sections of the EHCP. You can only appeal those as part of an extended appeal, so you will need to appeal the educational side too, but it sounds like B&F need amending anyway.

Thanks. Yes, I do. I think I suspected all along I’d be better putting my energy into an appeal. Definitely B&F needs amendments. Have a whole list of needs in B related to preparing for adulthood/independence/life skills and no corresponding provision. Also wanting ADHD assessment as CAMHS fobbed me off last time and I was too unaware/exhausted/traumatised from whole EHCP debacle to pursue. I’m assuming I can add that in as a health care extended appeal too. Not sure if it will make a difference but can try I suppose 🤷‍♀️

Yes, health care needs and provision can be part of an extended appeal.