Respite short breaks and asessments

[staryeyed]

I have been struggling with DS1 (5) and DS2 (1) for a while, Day times are ok because ds1 who has autism is at school.Holidays are really the issue because I cant take DS1 and ds2 out on my own- Ds1 is a runner and has meltdowns ( the meltdowns have not been so much lately but I dont feel I can take the risk). Also Dp and I never go anywhere we have noone to take the boys and we really would like to every now and then. Having no real time to ourselves plus the sleep issues from both boys is really putting a strain on our relationship - we went for counselling at the end of last year. Now to top it all Im preggars again (sshhhh don't tell anyone) and Im really worried how Im going to cope in the holidays. I deally I want DS1 to get into a playscheme for the summer holidays. Im really confused about exactly how. I go about this all. I know I need to ask for an assessment from SS but there are different sorts arent there? which one do I ask for? Also if DS1 gets a place on a playscheme does this mean we wouldnt be able to get DP for respite? Are short breaks considered respite?

unless your area is totally different, I would say no.
we get respite, the play scheme comes out of a different budget

Our area runs SN playschemes, nothing to do with respite, I can't remember how much but cheaper than NT playschemes.
For formal respite you will (i'm guessing unless your area is very generous) need a SS assessment.
Some areas also ahve additonal "aiming high" short break funding they often do there own assessments & can help you with applying for a personal short break "budget" from a different fund.

Have you tried home start? They can often provide support without all the formal assessments.

In my area you can self refer to SS - they have a timescaled framework to assess need.

I am in a similar situation with ds who is 9. We are undergoing a core assessment to try because we have asked for an increase in dp hours for holidays.

It is worth looking to see if mencap, NAS or crossroads have any schemes available. Ds special school was used for a playscheme last holidays - only couple of sessions over the 6 weeks but I really appreciated it.

DS goes to a SN playscheme which we pay for ourselves, just like any other playscheme. Some parents get help from SS. Respite is arranged by SS

We had a homestart worker but its not really what I needed it didnt work because it was completely dependent on the volunteer who was only available at a time I didnt really need any help - when DS was at school plus she stopped turning up due to other commitments.

I dont believe we have a crossroads in our area and the NAS scheme is very short term. I dont believe mencap run anything in those area either either.

It will have to be a ss assessment. Is it a carers assessment I ask for?

donkey
get on to ss they shoul pay half(they do for me)

Get an assessment from ss and stress the whole family issues - about the impact on all of you, and also say what would be your ideal outcome - eg home help through direct payments, + holiday playschemes, + saturday playscheme + whatever else you need.

Also stress to the sw how the volunteer idea hasn't worked out. They need to know.

And tell the sw about the pregnancy (congrats, btw)

Start your negotiation high then you might get what yuo really need?

Best of luck.

2shoes, because we both work and are on low wages, we can claim back a large percentage of the fees via Tax Credits. Don't know what I'd do without it. They pay the whole amount for some people! It's MUCH cheaper than providing DP's, respite etc., for social services but at the same time, the LA won't properly fund the scheme and charity money is running low. It should be a statutory service, operating every day of the holidays but I'll just keep dreaming on! Rant over

Mencap run a sn playscheme locally. It is separate to ss but ss provide the fiunding ( via application and panel) for dc who need 1:1 or higher care ratios. Days are shared out as available which is usually 1 or 2 a week for about 4 weeks in the summer We pay £12.50 for a short day ( 10 - 15.00). We are allowed to use our DPs when ds needs extra carers (trips out with the mencap team). There are different schemes in different towns/areas and I know some children attend several schemes to keep their sn children happy.. In our area overnight respite is for over 8s.