I have a 30yr old son who is severely disabled. Up until October 2008 (Breaking point) we had received no services from our local authority.
When I became suspicious of a social workers motives I decided to research for myself through the internet ?Fair Access to Care?. I discovered that my son had been entitled to a Direct Payment going back to 2003 when it became a duty of the Local Authority to offer an alternative way of meeting care needs.
It has been a real struggle, but my son now receives over £700 per week to pay for his care, and we can choose how his needs are met and by whom.
We have complained, and recently the Ombudsman has found maladministration by the council. It is simply down to the social worker involved and the eligibility criteria they assess you as being in i.e. substantial/critical.
They will not offer direct payments, you must ask and stand your ground. If you are exhausted and not up to it find an advocate on the councils website or better still get a solicitor