Contacting social services to register with them simply so I can access a free bus pass for DS - worth the hassle???

[aSilverLining]

My local council can offer DS (autistic) a free bus pass if he is registered with social services and has a 'pink' learning disability card. (There are different coloured cards eg, blind, deaf, learning disability, etc all colour coded).

It would save me a lot of money as I don't drive and take DS on the bus with his maclaren major if we go anywhere.

But what will happen with SS? Apparently I have to 'register' with them to get this card, to then get a bus pass from the local council. Will social services come to meet me or something? Just wondering how much hassle it will be I guess.

i have no idea but i would imagine they could do that from an initial assessment rather than a core assessment so may be worth it as they have to do an initial assessment within 15 days i think it is and its not too complex, ring them and ask whats involved in registering with them for the card and see what they say? might be worth a try?!

Yes I suppose I could call them and ask them to explain what would be involved. I don't need any respite or anything (DS goe to his dad's 2 nights a week) so it would just be so I can get this bus pass really which seems like I am causing them a lot of work for a very small reason?

(Popping out back later)

Soc Svs depts have a register of disabled children. You can join the register without having any further involvement. In our borough we get an ID card, newsletter and we are then "known" as being at a certain level of disability for things like Freedom Pass. HTH

Ah here you apply direct to the council either with dla letter or letter form from dr or health Vistor I must admit ds has saved us loads as one adult travels free with him

I was thinking that, you could apply direct to Council if you have higher rate DLA or other acceptable evidence. But I don't think there's anything to worry about if you go on Soc Svs register, it isn't a child protection register!

Oh I am not worried about it from a child protection POV or anything like that!

More concerned with if the time and energy it will take both myself and a Social worker is worth it. I will give them a call and see what they say.

Davros, your post is what my email says from the local council public transport department but you ahve worded it much more clearly!

Check with councils after see if ds gets one ask about carers pass .ds bus pass has yellow stripe for disabled and a C on it which means must always be accompined but then I travel free with him

I keep meaning to go into my town's carer centre so will definately look into a carer's pass too thanks for the tip.

Rang up and have filled in a brief form over the phone, which will be passed to another department to process it. Sounds simple enough though so am glad I phoned.

Thanks everyone for your posts.

Don't get why you have to register with SS. I'm not and I get my free bus pass from the council, it's a national one too. Although I am now 20

It's well worth the hassle.. we got one or our 12 yr old DS2 (ASD MLD hypotonia) etc and we have used it a lot. Not just because the carer goes free too, but because we are looking to the future and independence and while my son has never been outside alone ever at nearly 13, maybe one day he WILL..and practicing looking for bus signs etc now, will pay pay off.

We didn't have to register with anyone..just went into the local town council 'shop' in the high street with his DLA award..they took a photo and hey presto 3 days later it arrived in the post!

Ooh, carers pass? Must sort that out. If you are in a London Borough, also make sure you apply for Taxicard, it is fantastic!
Shall I write their documents for them from now on?

Our register is really just that, no more involvement unless you beg for it!
But it does mean they will send info on holiday clubs & playchemes etc.

Yep Essex issue seperate pass but dr has to sign say needs a carer herts was np and it's nationwide valued for 5 years then need update ds picture