Respite in crap weather

[daisy5678]

How've you all done? I was kind of worried that respite would be cancelled but this has actually been a bizarrely smooth holiday period. Respite worker has struggled through the snow to get to us, bless her. J got three hours on Monday (went sledging), 6 hours yesterday (SN kids' theatre trip and then a SN party), 3 hours today (play centre) and then 3 hours tomorrow. Next week will just be 3 hours (unless we want a further 3 on Monday from a random worker...which would be disastrous, so no thanks) but by then I think J will be knackered from Christmas so will have lots of play with and do anyway; also, I will have done all my pre-Christmas jobs with the amount of time I've had this week, so I will enjoy the time with him and be glad that he's not rushing off to yet another activity.

Part of the reason for my post was to see if the rest of you have noticed increased holiday activities recently. J gets 6 hours per week anyway in the holidays, but the extra activities have been through the Aiming High For Disabled Children funding. I must admit, I was a bit when they claimed that the AHDC funding would make any actual difference, but I've really noticed it this holiday...brilliant for J, who really loves his play worker and also the people who run the SN/ autism groups.

How've you all done?

We don't get any respite (well actually i've never asked) & I did not bother to look at what sn activities were on offer for the xmas hols BUT we have booked a family break in a woodland cabin for the new yr, its funded by Aiming high, so the family only pays a very small fee (£20 in our case for 2 nights).

Can I ask where you found the support worker from givememoresleep?

We have been told to look into the Aiming High fund for ds1 (10) but I have no idea where to find the person to do any activities with him, we had massive problems with the Disabled Childrens Team and they have refused to take him on, on the grounds that he isn't disabled enough.

The only suggestion we've had is to look at Trio, which is a branch of specialised child minders who are trained to deal with SN kids, not sure whether they would be able to do support work 1-2-1 though and neither are the professionals as they've never tried this avenue before!

Any advice gratefully recieved.

We have had an outreach trip to the panto for dd1 this afternoon. They picked her up at 1210, and we are still awaiting her return! (Hope she has enjoyed it, I cannot believe she will have sat through the whole of Snow White, but they promised me they had lots of staff, so she could be taken out to the foyer if necessary)

The lady we use through direct payments on Tuesdays for 3 hours is away for Christmas.

JJW We got the support worker through Social Services. She's employed by a local charity who SS use for respite/ outreach work. It was a choice of that or direct payments and I couldn't be bothered with the hassle of DP. I would still ask SS who they use for their outreach/ respite. Also worth challenging SS's decision - I had to, by complaining to head of children's services and we got a SS visit a week later. We were also told that J wasn't disabled enough (this was pre-autism dx though) and the complaint meant that they at least assessed him.

anon that sounds great! What a good idea - I shall suggest holidays to our local Aiming High team.

PP hope she enjoyed it - J saw that too!

Riven at least everyone will be around so everyone can take turns with her.

Thanks givememoresleep

We already challenged their decision twice, once to the head of services then to the local MP!! They're still digging their heals in, going to give it another shot in the new year once we (hopefully) have the dx.

Thanks for the info though, will pursue it in the new year.

We get direct payments but have not had any info on the 'aiming high' funding. Do you have to apply for it?

Riven santa is bringing DS a beanbag this year as he likes to be held too. Hoping that sinking yet supported feeling will help.

Had our first overnight on 21st - 'twas bliss [hgrin]

Sorry, that was a - DS being held as Santa hasn't been yet

fb if you find the beanbag isnt supportive enough over time you might like one of these its called a P pod and is a beanbag topped with a supported moulded seat, a friend just got one for her daughter whose a lot bigger than ds and hers was £375 and i'd love one for grans house so i think i know what glitteryboys christmas money's going on!