It's been 3 weeks and I still have had no contact from my social worker wrt my carers assessment

[Agincourt]

is it time for a stage 1 complaint do we think?

God yes.

And complain about everything else as well. 10 sides of A4 should do it.

Yes, i shall do it in HUGE blue font with appalling grammar and spelling too

Definitely.And make sure you copy your complaint to your Local Councillor - that way SS can't deny receiving your complaint.

Make sure you get a few names wrong as well

We have found that its best to complain to local MPs and councillors.

Don't hesitate to complain. It's the only way to get those so-called professionals to pay attention.

I know, he's a complete imbecile.

And have some random lines in your complaint that refer to a completely different authority!

completely daft question on my part... what's a carer's assessment? (I think that pretty much sums up why I can't help on the OP's question, though! )

Triggles there's some info here chuck
www.nhs.uk/CarersDirect/guide/assessments/Pages/Carersassessments.aspx

I requested one on Thursday. A social worker rang me back yesterday to tell me that my daughter is not disabled enough to qualify for their services because she accesses an ASD specific youth club once a week, I don't beat her, I stop her endangering her little brother, she's not fed through a tube or in special school. I said she will be in special school when SA finishes so will she then qualify, the answer was no. She wanted to know why if he's not developed personal care skills why I can't teach hem her! It never crossed my mind in the last 13 years to try that! I explained that I'm unable to leave the house without a 2nd adult when I also have my 5 year old with me because of DD's refusals to walk/meltdowns and her response was well if she won't walk or you she won't walk for someone else! FFS! She said I can't have a carers assessment because dd doesn't qualify or direct payments! Not impressed to say the least!

I'm going to follow the advice on here
www.edcm.org.uk/media/8269/assessment_letter.pdf

Try again!

www.nhs.uk/CarersDirect/guide/assessments/Pages/Carersassessments.aspx

www.edcm.org.uk/media/8269/assessment_letter.pdf

my daughter is in special school though sazale, we get no respite at all. Our care package was cut from 12 hours per week to nothing apart from a specific social group once a week which I have to take and pick her up from. She needs 24-7 care and I have no-one at all to help me and he keeps saying to me is 'other families like yours cope' and I have two other children, one who is a a preschooler
to say i am exhausted (as amazingly I work too) is an understatement

I think he needs a kick in the shins, as do any social workers who obstruct support where it is necessary :(

and we don't get direct payments either. I am sure we do qualify but I don't want them, they are a pita

Thanks for the info on the carers assessment. I can't really see where they would apply it to me as he does go to school, so even though I have 2yo DS3 at home, I do get a break when DS2 is in school. So I can't imagine respite would even be considered for us. I don't think I would want the concern about interference from SS tbh. But that's just our particular situation.

Agincourt - is there anyone else there that you can talk to about the cut in hours for your respite?

Agincourt, that's shocking! I really hope you manage to get something sorted. I think I was just upset because she decided in a 10 min conversation that we couldn't have an assessment when she doesn't know the extent/impact of my DD's difficulties. I know how hard it is for us and I have a hands on partner. It is so wrong that unless you're willing to neglect your children there is so much reluctance to support families.

sazale, i would be upset if I was you too, I was in no way suggesting that they shouldn't support you -it's what they are there for!

I get the whole but if we gave her x EVERY disabled child in the county would want X err yes, but she is in a small minority of children with severe and complex needs ffs. He has even suggested I go on a parenting course so I am able to cope better as if miraculously this will make everything okay! There is nothing wrong with my parenting, I just cannot cope because of the level of need.

sazale you are entitled to an assessment. It doesn't necessarily mean that you will get any help, but they can't refuse to even assess you. Try contacting a local carers group for chapter and verse on the details and go back and demand that they assess you. At least it would start the process off. Sorry I don't have time to look up the references at the moment, but I am sure that you can demand an assessment.

Agincourt, it never crossed my mind for a second that was what you were implying hun.

I've decided I'm going to complain to the manager and director of children's services. I wouldn't mind if we'd been refused services after our needs as a family had been assessed but I do mind when it's after a 10 min tel call from someone who obviously didn't have a clue about ASD!

Does anyone else go through the I think I must be exaggerating it phase to the I'm so knackered I can't do this anymore phase! I can't remember the last time I didn't suffer with insomnia!

yes we all do it sazale, it'swhy they use emotional blackmail on us