Home Needs Assessment - What should I expect?

[TallulahToo]

Finally had the call! (Hurray!)... Sounds like a nice lady coming to visit us next week and wants to see my DS too.

We were warned months ago that we might only get a couple of hours respite per month so that me and DH can get out for a meal together (hope of keeping marriage going then).

What are your experiences of these assessments? Anything you wish you'd said at the time but only remembered later?

Really don't want to push for more than we're entitled to but, after so many years of no respite at all, don't want to miss the boat either.

Do NOT feel bad for asking for respite. You need it and it sounds as though you're on track to getting it. Well done so far.

'We were warned months ago that we might only get a couple of hours respite per month'

Ignore this warning because it is designed to level your expections (i.e. to keep them low). Are you gunning for Direct Payments or for a carer to come over and look after/take out your ds?

My advice to you is to ask for 3hrs per week as a minimum. It's unlikely that you'll get this much (sadly) but if you end up with 3hrs per fortnight, then at least that's more than 3hrs per month (which is what they have already intimated).

When the lady comes over, pretend you are in a bizarre/souk and are haggling over the price of a carpet/souvenir. You are the seller and she is the buyer. You want the highest price (number of hours) but she wants the lowest. You need to start high and meet her on the way down.

Good luck and don't let her sense any weakness or guilty feelings on your part about asking for 'too much'.

Oops, meant bazaar not bizarre!!

If you let this lady know that you feel guilty for asking, then you will end up with 2-3hrs respite per month and no more.

Why do you feel guilty?

It is extremely unlikely that will get respite for your NT dd. However, the lady may suggest that your dd attends after-school clubs (if she's old enough) or a weekend club so that your ds's respite can be made to coincide with that.

Depending on who is offering the respite, then you may be offered Direct Payments (which can work for some families but you are responsible for finding the carer and doing all the financial admin) or a carer may be provided instead.

They want to see your ds because it is easier to assess somebody/their needs in person rather than from a report.

I would make a bid for 3hrs per week - made with a straight face - and work down from there. If you come away with 3hrs per fortnight then you will have done very well indeed. Good luck.

Very BIG Thank You Manny. Not met anyone yet with respite in place.

Do they review the amount of respite on a regular basis?

With Direct Payments, does that mean we have to pay the tax for the person? And where would we find them anyway?

With respect to Direct Payments, there is lots of information on the Internet, try this for starters:

www.direct.gov.uk/en/CaringForSomeone/MoneyMatters/DG_10018531

Any official care package is generally reviewed annually.

My friend receives Direct Payments and has only just managed to find a carer for her ds - she'd been searching for months without success but eventually got lucky via her ds's school. Finding the right carer can take time so if you are offered a carer who you think will fit your ds, then it could save you lots of hassle to accept them...

There are a couple of childminders at school looking for more work and both know DS quite well. Will have to sound them out to see if they're interested or can recommend anyone....

Thanks again Manny. I'm sure there'll be more questions next week though.