Supported Living

[Fifiann]

My son age 22 has recently moved into supported living. He has his own bungalow in a group of 8 others. He appears to have settled in well .he has 24/7 care with 1 to 1 apart from 4 hrs per day when it is 2 to 1..he was attending a day centre whi h he loves for 3 years previously for 5 days per week . Social services have said that he cannot attend this anymore as the supported living service will provide activities etc during the day. I am continuing to fund the day centre for 3 days per wk at a cost of £110 per day. As I feel that it is not in his best interests to have this removed as it provides social and structure to the day as it is what I believe he needs. I have not seen a lot of interaction with the staff and cooking is not brilliant. They have taken him for walks an hr at a time. But this is not really enough for him he is non verbal stil l in pads etc . Does anybody have experience of being able to access day centre as well.. as its not in his best interest to be stuck at home a lot of the time..the care package is 24.7 so they would argue that he is being funded already..there needs to be some sort of structure to the day at least for 3/4 days per week. I feel some staff are not interested just sitting around on phones a lot when I visit. Maybe I should give it time but am concerned that jis behaviour s will change once he does have access to day centre as well. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you

LAs often use the argument they have used in your case. You could complain and challenge their decision. Although there’s no guarantee of being successful.

This is fairly standard. I think you need to sit down with the company providing the supported living and look at a timetable of activities for your son. Does he have a car so he can be taken places? You could look at some sessions at the day centre plus other activities.

I’m watching with interest as out son will be 25 years old soon, and we have asked for supported living for our son.

unfortunately we first asked 3 years ago and we are still pushing, but keep getting told there is nothing available and we were once told not to hold our breath as it won’t be anytime soon.

Our son goes to day services 4 days a week which he loves as he likes the routine and going out and about with the activities they take him too.

Losing day services if and when he finally gets a placement in supported living is something that really worries me as he likes a certain amount of structure to his day/week, that should he lose days I can see that being very difficult for him.

I suspect availability is different in other parts of the country, and maybe we unlucky to have extremely love availability for accommodation.

My 25yr old, Semi-verbal autistic is in Supported Living and goes twice a week to a Day Centre. I pay the £100 per session out of his PIP.

I don't believe the Supported Living place provide enough opportunities to learn new or use his existing skills. Staff only do the minimum. I have to chivy them to do reading with him or take him out. I find it incredibly frustrating. Whilst he's happy entertaining himself, with tablets and TV/DVDs, I feel more activities should be accessible. But, they do have a sensory room which he loves

Equally, the Day Centre stuff appears to be basic, but he appears to like it. He definitely likes their toys, which he kidnaps. It also involves going out and a different environment plus staff.

My son isn't in supported living - yet- but I have had conversations with various social workers that he needs things to do and a chance to mix with others. Mooching round town with a carer/PA barely taking any notice of them and usually glued to their phone is not good enough!