Direct payments… how many hours do you get?

[HollyJollypup]

Sorry if this is a daft question.

Im currently going through the assessment process to try and get direct payments for my son.

Iv had the initial phone consultation and now I’m waiting for the assessment which has been agreed so I’m just waiting for a date (they said within 2 months).

I probably should of done this ages ago. He’s 9, gets DLA at the highest rate for both sections, has a EHCP, toileting needs(still in nappies full time), non verbal, doesn’t sleep etc etc.

I was asked to pick him up from 2 Playscheme’s recently which is what has prompted this recently as I’m just fed up.

Both sets of parents can’t/won’t help.

The women I spoke to on the phone said they normally offer less hours in the school weeks and then up it in the school holidays.

Im just wondering on average what do others get?

I have no idea what to expect. She did start mentioning overnight respite too which I was surprised at as I’m not sure how I feel about that. He’s my baby and I don’t think he’s slept away from me in over 5 years.

DS1 has 14 hours per week term time which is actually 7 as he is deemed to need 2:1 for respite, 20 hours (so actually 10) in the holidays and 10 overnights a year. In addition some of DS1’s EOTAS package continues during holidays.

DS3 has 6 hours per week term time and 8 hours in the holidays.

This is more than lots get locally but we and DS’s medical team fought hard for more support.

We get 145 hours a year. Our LA's standard offer is 24 hours.

We use ours for 5 hour blocks, alternate weekends, term time only. Its not a lot but it makes all the difference and DS loves where he goes.

Thank you

my son is 2:1 also, very similar to your son Op.
during school he gets 8 hours - 4 hours Saturday and 4 Sunday and with 2 that’s actually 16 hours.
out of school in the holidays he gets 4 hours each day during the week which is 20 hours per carer but with both carers it’s 40.

we get 26 nights respite a year, we do it 2 per month.

I should add that we first got direct payments at 9 years old. And this increased at 14 years old. when ds was 9 we got during term time in school- 2 carers -8 hours a week (one Saturday which we used as a 4 hour slot) and out of school holidays we did get 12 hours per carer which is 24 with 2 carers. And we used that as 4 hour slots 3x a week set activities.
Overnight respite only kicked in for us at 12 years old.

my son took about a year to get used to respite and whilst it was tough, very worth it. I was really at the end in terms of never being away from home and craving time with my younger son.