I've just heard that DS will get Direct Payments...

[CaptainPlump]

But I'm confused! Happy, delirious even, but confused. They went to panel a couple of weeks ago and decided not to give him Direct Payments, but indicated that they might be willing to fund some kind of after school care as it's necessary to enable me to work.

I wasn't very happy about that as I'd really wanted DPs, just so I could keep some control over things, but I asked the SW to find out what funding they were proposing to put in place for his after school care anyway. I heard nothing for two weeks and was starting to get quite pissed off at being fobbed off, but today I had a phonecall from the SW to say that they've reconsidered (no panel!) and they're going to fund DS's respite carer for 4 hours a week!

That's fantastic, but I've never heard of that happening. I thought I'd have to go back to Panel again and fight it out... does anyone have any insight?

(I don't mean to sound ungrateful you understand, I shall have an enormous drink tonight in celebration - I just really don't understand SS!)

great news for you xx

Well done for getting DP

Perhaps they realised what they were doing was illegal. If they agree your child needs services then you are entitled to ask for dp's and if you ask they have to give it to you.

So they can't say 'yes we agree he needs services, but we're not letting you have dp's.'. Illegal. They could tell you he didn't need services, but that's a different thing.

It might not be illegal, but it might be appalling practice.... there are govt guidelines though saying everyone in receipt of services should have the option of dps. So if anyone is being refused- download the guidance for social services, quote it at them and kick up a fuss!

yeah, you are entitled to DP if you have a need they are catering for. They can't refuse it once you are assessed as needing respite.

That exlains it I think! DS's case was apparently heard right at the end of the resource allocation meeting so I guess they were fed up by then and didn't give it the attention it deserved, even though the SW was clearly telling them that DS needs services. I've been harrassing the SW ever since to find out what exactly they were proposing to offer us instead so I guess they realised I wasn't going to go away quietly!