respite arrangements

[cansu]

I am looking for some advice on how to get more flexible repsite arrangements for my ds. Currently get two nights per month in residential place. I am not very keen on place and would like more flexible arrangement where ds could perhaps have one night and / or maybe have direct payment to pay carer to stay at home with him sometimes. I know I am very lucky to get respite but am just not v happy with arrangements. What arrangements do others who actually get respite have?

Probably not too helpful but our 2 DC's with complex health needs get continuing health care plans and they get 5 days every 4 weeks ( I am so grateful) in a NHS paediatric residential setting. I am sure you would get direct funding for 1!! night a month. On top of our respite we get 10 hours a week for extra help (wonder woman I may be but I can't push 2 wheelchairs for hospital appts) And before you ask I do not throw my toys out of my pram! Wouldn't it would be cheaper for the authorities for your DS to have help in your home or your helpers home. BTW my good friend is my Direct Payment Person Good luck.

You could get direct payments Cansu.

You can mix and match too, one night at the place and the rest to do with as you need.

My boys used to get 3 nights overnight at a place i hated them going, but stuck between a rock and a hard place, that or nothing. But it's been closed down as of Sept and I've had nothing since, nothing in its place. I'm a lone parent with 2 SLD boys and doing my PGCE (or trying to!) but I been told constantly since Jan that I can't have DP's. For some reason they don't encourage them here.
Of course now my solicitor threatening court action suddenly they being a bit more amenable but still dragging their heels as much as poss.

Ask your SW about DP's. If no good there, go to CAB maybe or your local carers centre for advice.
You get to choose who you employ though and have to sort out tax etc but you can get help with these things too.

Thank you. I am going to speak to social worker. I get the impression they are not keen on direct payments like you have also found. I feel kind of similar about not liking respite place but feeling I would be mad to say we don't need it.

Social Services specialise in making parents feel really bad and selfish and greedy for asking for any help, and pitching parent against parent in this continual fight for scarce resources. Bear in mind there are families out there who have really substantial care packages - 50 + hours DP's for instance. There are also families who have gone under because they haven't received sufficient help and their children have gone into full-time care. You are not asking for anything unreasonable and you are not 'lucky' to get respite. You/we are unlucky in the extreme to need respite for our beloved children.

Be very clear that you will go under if you don't get help

Hi cansu, im in west of scotland my ds aged 10 gets 21 nights respite (at centre) per year. I put dates in a year in advance and try to split it up ie Fri-Mon then 2 months later Mon-Fri. My ds also gets 5 hours going out with Sense worker every 2nd weekend.