Assessments for eligibility for direct payments - what do they want?

[nenezina]

Hello!

Can anyone please tell me what happens during social services assessments for eligibility for direct payments? What sorts of questions do they ask? My DD is statemented and I was advised about direct payments by her 1:1 TA at nursery.

I have one coming up next week and I dont like to be ill prepared.

Also what reasons can they give for refusing direct payments... I live in Greenwich.

thank you.

Look at contact a family you can download leaflets that explain

they will want to know what help you think you need eg help to stay in work, a break from caring, siblings needs, what behaviours you struggle with eg sleep, diet, tantrums etc

they must do 2 assessments one for you as a carer and one for the child - they often don't do one for the carer!

often they don't have services for young children or say a young child will need alot of care anyway so you need to say why the needs are above what you can manage eg sleep deprivation, impact on other children, relationship under strain, feeling depressed, health suffering as can't exercise / get to dr, can't leave child unsupervised to do cleaning etc

they will refuse help if they think you can get help for free eg from family so they will ask you where your family live and if they come over or what you would do in an emergency

Think about what you would use money for - DP can be used to buy in help / sitter etc, for extra support to access leisure activities, for after school clubs or holiday clubs

They should not refuse help by saying your child is not disabled enough but often do - they should look at the whole family situation not just the child's label

If you have found it hard to get a sitter etc say you will need to find someone specialist / use a specialist agency etc anything that makes it clear you have additional needs over a family with a child without SN

Reasons for refusal =

1. Essentially that your child's disability is not of sufficient severity to merit assistance. Only a specific list of diagnoses are recognised, which is tough for those children whose clinical diagnoses fall outside those named on a very narrow list.

1. The support required could potentially be provided by an alternative agency e.g Health or Education. (So could your child attend an inclusive afterschool club as an alternative to respite care?).

Possessing a statement while still in nursery is an indicator that your child may fit the appropriate categories to get you support as Greenwich is one of those areas where early years support is generally overshadowed by the infamous "wait and see" approach. A statement for a child below school age is like a hen's tooth, so don't fret too much.

One disadvantage is the geographical location of support services as Greenwich is a long borough, poorly served in some parts by public transport. Do be prepared to hear about the potential of support services which are inaccessible for you on a practical level. (eg club is an hour's drive away but starts 15 mins after nursery ends is a standard scenario).

Thank you ladies so much! this is Gold for me! I will make sure I can give answers to all tof hese and i will be really ready for them. On the phone she had already tried to fob me off with ... "how do we know if you daughter needs more help than an average 4 year old. And we are not here to provide childcare for you so that you can go to work...."

I replied I would like her to have access to activities that run after school but while I am at work like horse riding, rainbows, ballet etc... and also the fact that DD currently has a statement for 25 hours 1:1 support in nursery should be a clue that a team of specialists agree that she does requiere more support that a typical 4 year old!

please bear with me ... a few follow up questions:

1. Is it true that they can ask to seach your house and see your bedrooms?

1. Is there anything you advise me not to mention?

1. Will they ask about our family income?

1. How many hours should I reasonably expect ie how much will try try to fob me off with and how many do you think I can press for?

They can ask about your sex life if they choose to, anything goes. Yes they are likely to check the bedrooms and the the fridge. Yes they will ask about your family income. You will be asked why you don't give up work if you feel your child requires access to these activities so badly.

Press for what you NEED.

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