Social care assessments

[Fififizz]

Can anyone share some of the things provided and any outcomes from a child/carer’s social care assessment please? I’m looking particularly at provision that might be put in place for preparation for adulthood. Just trying to get a feel for what support can be offered. Also, has anyone been charged by their LA for providing this?

Via social care DS1 gets DPs for PAs for 14hrs/week term time (actually 7 hours as deemed to need 2:1) and 20hrs/week respite holiday time (actually 10 hours at 2:1) and 10 overnights per year (we are trying to increase this to 12). DS3 gets 6 hrs/week term time and 8hrs/week in holidays. We haven’t been charged despite a higher household income - initially we were told this was in order to prevent an admission for DS1, we were in crisis.

Via their EHCPs, via section F they have support in there too. For example, DS1’s EOTAS package includes 3 hrs per week for accessing the community/mentoring/independence type work.

As well as respite/PA other types of support I know families/DC have received via social care are a mother’s help type role, cleaner, equipment, funding for extra nursery hours (obviously not applicable to you), funding for taxi (e.g. when struggling with school attendance but don’t meet the normal criteria for school transport). Via EHCPs PfA support in F can include anything from support to learn self help skills, accessing the community, independent living skills e.g. cooking. I even know a few who have successfully secured driving lessons.

@ThomasWasTortured
Thanks. That’s really helpful information. As has been mentioned before. The outcome of what we can achieve for our children is usually massively influenced by us carers being well informed about their and our rights. Still on with LA about why we’ve haven’t been referred to CwD team so haven’t got into the detail yet.

The outcome of what we can achieve for our children is usually massively influenced by us carers being well informed about their and our rights.

I agree, sadly. DC whose parents know the system and can advocate and enforce their rights get better support. It shouldn’t be that way, and arguably it is the most vulnerable DC who the situation fails the most who are in the greatest need of the support. Unfortunately, the system isn’t going to change any time soon.