RnB, we were on 2.5hrs for about the first 6 months. We also had a "playworker" to take DS swimming every other week (only she didn't turn up half the time). Her job then disappeared and she transferred so I said what about that time then? And they added one hour a week for the next six months, so we were on 3.5 hrs. When it came to review, which is yearly, they foolishly mentioned the word "double", thinking wrongly that we were on 2.5 hours so I said, good that's 7 hours!!! They agreed as I showed that it was exactly the time I needed to do our 2 activities. I'd be happy to stay on that.
Lou, it stinks! As usual, it does seem to depend on who you get, where you live etc etc.
Merlot, this is totally separate from DLA. In the old days Soc Svs used to try to provide respite for families like us but they never had enough staff, not enough consistency etc and families often knew people they trusted and could use but not via Soc Svs. So DPs were brought in to enable us (and other disabled invididuals) to use our own people but be paid direct the equivalent amount that we would have got using Soc Svs respite. I think it only came in for disabled children about a year and a half ago but it has been available to other disabled people for longer.