access to disability services

[aladdinsane]

My DD is very challenging
She is adopted and has a diagnosis of attachment disorder
She is very dangerous and will climb out of windows
We have some push button locks on doors but we really need a good risk assessment of our home and appropriate window and door locks

We cant access our disability team because they dont recognise attachment disorder as a disability. They actually told me that if we had the same behaviours but a diagnosis of say autism then we could access services
This feels really discriminatory
I have looked on their website and it does not say anywhere what they would consider to be a disability
Has anyone come across this and is there any way round it

thats really useful- thank you

Write back to them to confirm you have understood their advice (putting it in writing often makes services back down) so 'just to confirm I spoke to x on ... and x explained we were not eligible for this service because ....

Ask for the decision in writing with their reasons

Ask for confirmation as to whether there is any process of review or appeal against this decision.

Ask for a copy of the policy under which they have reached this decision

You can also write to your local councillor, the councillor with portfolio for that service and the MP to complain about how the service is being gatekeeped

You may also want to make a formal complaint if for eg there is no policy, the policy has not been followed properly etc and then you can potentially complain to ombudsman if unhappy with outcome of complaint.

If you think the policy or the way it has been applied is unlawful you may be able to judicially review it etc

There is a reasonable chance once you show you know your rights and wont just drop it they will give in. They know 9/10 parents will walk away and so refusing is an easy way to gatekeep resources.

You can also explore charities eg family fund etc

agnes has already given great advice - but I would add that attachment disorder is in the dsm so it must be a recognised disability.