Council housing - ASD CHILDREN

[twinmummy8]

Hello,

I’m looking for some advice and wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation. I live in a 2nd floor flat with three children: a 7 a year-old and 4 yearold twins who are both diagnosed with autism .

We live on a very busy road, and the flat doesn’t have a lift, so the only way down is the stairs, which is very difficult with both twins. At the bottom of the stairs, there are two doors: one with direct access to a six-lane busy road, and the courtyard, which also leads to the same road.

Both of my twins elope, and supervising both doors and the stairs at the same time is almost impossible. At the same time, we need to be able to use the communal areas to leave the property for school runs and other daily routines.

I have asked for an OT assessment but haven’t heard anything back. I’ve also asked about a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) to help with the communal doors, but they are unsure whether they can assist as the doors are communal. Every time I leave the flat, I feel like I am putting my children at risk.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? How have you managed safety or got support from housing? Any advice would be really appreciated.

Chase the OT.

Is the OT just a general assessment of the home or is it part of the process for you receiving medical priority for moving somewhere more suitable?

While councils can, in theory, provide adaptations to communal areas, it isn’t as straightforward as ones in the person’s property. Not least because they don’t know the needs of other residents and something that helps one resident may make life impossible for another. Some councils have blanket policies of not doing them. They shouldn’t. The decision should depend on the individual circumstances.