Re: Direct Payments

[Guest guest]

Sorry Diane, not had experience with it

yet but I’m about to. It makes me REALLY REALLY angry too. I’ve

been advised by various people to break down in tears and claim I can’t

cope in front of them, etc. What really gets me why is there money for mums who

can’t cope with their child’s autism and no money for the child with

autism? What is going on?

I feel murderous.

Direct Payments

I'm currently undergoing a social

services assessment to decide if I can get direct payments for my kids. I've

been turned down once, as I was receiving a service called integrating

children, who would take the kids swimming once a fortnight, and accompany them

to groups over the holidays, etc. They have now run out of funding, so I

reapplied for the direct payments, as I am not getting any other services. I've

heard from the senco at their school that the social worker has been in to see

the kids and discussed with the senco the possibility of my getting direct

payments for the month that my husband is away, but I'll have to agree to their

behaviour support team coming round to advise me on how to cope with them! Has

anyone else had to do this? I have a BIG problem with this, as I think that I

am the best person to decide how to cope with my children, after all, I'm the

person the school always phones to help them out when they can't cope with

.

Tia,

Diane

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[Guest guest]

Sara

I am also about to go through the process and I am not sure what I should be stressing I need the money for. ie. I have been told I cannot say it is for someone to go into the playroom with Luke OR as cleaner to help clean the wee stained carpets. So what is it exactly for? I have been given a contact in Social Services by a friend and I intend to ring her for advise before the Social services visit.

It is crazy - I certainly put on a smile most days and get on with things when on occasions I know I am also at breaking points - but it is not in my nature - to bleat - oh poor me!!!

I will keep you posted.

Nicola

RE: Direct Payments

Sorry Diane, not had experience with it yet but I’m about to. It makes me REALLY REALLY angry too. I’ve been advised by various people to break down in tears and claim I can’t cope in front of them, etc. What really gets me why is there money for mums who can’t cope with their child’s autism and no money for the child with autism? What is going on?

I feel murderous.

-----Original Message-----From: Autism Treatment [mailto:Autism Treatment ] On Behalf Of Diane McGregorSent: 31 March 2006 22:47Autism Treatment Subject: Direct Payments

I'm currently undergoing a social services assessment to decide if I can get direct payments for my kids. I've been turned down once, as I was receiving a service called integrating children, who would take the kids swimming once a fortnight, and accompany them to groups over the holidays, etc. They have now run out of funding, so I reapplied for the direct payments, as I am not getting any other services. I've heard from the senco at their school that the social worker has been in to see the kids and discussed with the senco the possibility of my getting direct payments for the month that my husband is away, but I'll have to agree to their behaviour support team coming round to advise me on how to cope with them! Has anyone else had to do this? I have a BIG problem with this, as I think that I am the best person to decide how to cope with my children, after all, I'm the person the school always phones to help them out when they can't cope with .

Tia,

Diane

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[Guest guest]

I know! They ask really loaded questions like 'do you ever lose it with them?' Their 'helpful' suggestions were 'can my husband not get a new job', 'can you get some new friends who will help out' and 'can't your in-laws watch them'. I told them that while my in-laws have them occasionally, they find it hard to cope, my mil is disabled herself with a chronic chest condition and my fil still does industrial tribunals on a regular basis and at very short notice, and she said 'yes, but it gives you a break'. I'm very close to telling her to poke her direct payments, but I'm being pleaded with not to. Personally, I'd rather not bother but I'll see how it goes.

Diane

RE: Direct Payments

Sorry Diane, not had experience with it yet but I’m about to. It makes me REALLY REALLY angry too. I’ve been advised by various people to break down in tears and claim I can’t cope in front of them, etc. What really gets me why is there money for mums who can’t cope with their child’s autism and no money for the child with autism? What is going on?

I feel murderous.

-----Original Message-----From: Autism Treatment [mailto:Autism Treatment ] On Behalf Of Diane McGregorSent: 31 March 2006 22:47Autism Treatment Subject: Direct Payments

I'm currently undergoing a social services assessment to decide if I can get direct payments for my kids. I've been turned down once, as I was receiving a service called integrating children, who would take the kids swimming once a fortnight, and accompany them to groups over the holidays, etc. They have now run out of funding, so I reapplied for the direct payments, as I am not getting any other services. I've heard from the senco at their school that the social worker has been in to see the kids and discussed with the senco the possibility of my getting direct payments for the month that my husband is away, but I'll have to agree to their behaviour support team coming round to advise me on how to cope with them! Has anyone else had to do this? I have a BIG problem with this, as I think that I am the best person to decide how to cope with my children, after all, I'm the person the school always phones to help them out when they can't cope with .

Tia,

Diane

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[Guest guest]

In a message dated 01/04/2006 10:46:49 GMT Daylight Time, m.collins9@... writes:

6 hours weekly sounds good respite - we only ever got 3 until v. recently and we are seen as a family under a lot of stress, so get more help than most.

>>>>Dorset gives 4 hours per week and an extra 4 in the school holidays which works out at 5 hours per week. They fund it at only £7.40 an hour before deductions. We have to do our own PAYE.

My ground were spending 'protected time' with each child - Diane it makes no difference if the other child has special needs as you say, protected time with each of the children and some respite for yourself.

If you have a carers assessment done and they say you need help they are legally obliged to fund it. Saying you would and now can;t have it is illegal. Look and see if yoru Social Services has a CHarter Mark - threaten them about writing so they get it wtithdrawn =- I knwo a mother here that did that - she has two with ASD and gets probably 100+ per month - thats why the rest of us get only 4..................

Mandi x

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 01/04/2006 12:56:00 GMT Daylight Time, mark.grabiec@... writes:

We've just got Mark's carers allowance through at £49 - but they won't back date it (which we need to appeal against) and despite the fact that he hasn't worked since last year apparently he earned too much to have been eligible between Christmas and now. We think he must have working whilst asleep. How is carer's allowance calculated? I thought it was means tested weekly - i.e. if you don't earn anything because you're caring more than 35 hours a week for Tom, you get the benefit.

>>You are correct - argue the toss - repeatedly. IGEt your MP involvedf he has not earned then he is entitled. He can earn 70 odd quiod a week like does and still claim it.

There is also something you can sign so he doesn't loose out on NI pension payments whilst being a carer too. Not that will be a state pension by the time the likes of us retire anyways............

Mandi x

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 01/04/2006 12:56:00 GMT Daylight Time, mark.grabiec@... writes:

We've just got Mark's carers allowance through at £49 - but they won't back date it (which we need to appeal against) and despite the fact that he hasn't worked since last year apparently he earned too much to have been eligible between Christmas and now. We think he must have working whilst asleep. How is carer's allowance calculated? I thought it was means tested weekly - i.e. if you don't earn anything because you're caring more than 35 hours a week for Tom, you get the benefit.

>>You are correct - argue the toss - repeatedly. IGEt your MP involvedf he has not earned then he is entitled. He can earn 70 odd quiod a week like does and still claim it.

There is also something you can sign so he doesn't loose out on NI pension payments whilst being a carer too. Not that will be a state pension by the time the likes of us retire anyways............

Mandi x

[Guest guest]

I just had my interview as well. Seems locally if you say you need respite in order to spend time with your other NT child they view that as a valid arguement - so I used it. They also asked a lot of questions about whether my family vould help but they all live abroad and whether I have someone to "talk" to as I explained that the last 3 months have been awful with illnesses etc. and that I had crashed and burned and barely functioned and that was the time that I really needed the support. In our area she says they tend to start small and let the package grow or shrink over the years based on need. She will go to panel and recommend 6 hours weekly respite during term time, a place on a local holiday scheme - 9 days in the summer - and put on 2 year waiting list for an after school club. is nearly 5. Obviously this is dependant on the panel approving this and me finding some one to employ for direct payments........ I'll let you know what happens. On the subject of benefits I now receive the higher rate DLA for personal care but the lower rate for mobility so I have asked for a reconsideration of the mobility allowance based on behavioural arguements - does anyone else receive this? Thanks

[Guest guest]

That seems to happen up here too, you need to say you want to spend time with your NT child. I would say though, that with 2 ASD children, they need time apart from each other even more. What would be the difference between spending time with an NT child (which I don't have) or spending time with each of my ASD children on their own. My daughter sometimes batters my son and he ruins her stuff, but they don't need time apart from each other occasionally??

---- Original Message -----

From: Downey

Autism Treatment

Sent: Saturday, April 01, 2006 8:34 AM

Subject: Re: Direct Payments

I just had my interview as well. Seems locally if you say you need respite in order to spend time with your other NT child they view that as a valid arguement - so I used it. They also asked a lot of questions about whether my family vould help but they all live abroad and whether I have someone to "talk" to as I explained that the last 3 months have been awful with illnesses etc. and that I had crashed and burned and barely functioned and that was the time that I really needed the support.

In our area she says they tend to start small and let the package grow or shrink over the years based on need. She will go to panel and recommend 6 hours weekly respite during term time, a place on a local holiday scheme - 9 days in the summer - and put on 2 year waiting list for an after school club. is nearly 5. Obviously this is dependant on the panel approving this and me finding some one to employ for direct payments........

I'll let you know what happens. On the subject of benefits I now receive the higher rate DLA for personal care but the lower rate for mobility so I have asked for a reconsideration of the mobility allowance based on behavioural arguements - does anyone else receive this?

Thanks

[Guest guest]

Diane,

I have also been applying for Direct

Payments this week. As they have run out of money I don’t think I

will be getting them, even though my son is non verbal autistic with mild

cerebral palsy (how disabled do you have to be for god sake!!)

When they first came out if our area the

Direct Payments were for level 4 and level 3 (severity of disability). Now as

they have no money they have changed the criteria to only level 4. on was classed as level 3 so we don’t

apply! However they did give me 56 hours over the 14 weeks school

holidays with a local carers charitiy that we already use, so at least we

got something that we really need.

I did say that we weren’t happy

about not getting Direct Payments but am unsure if we are going to pursue it

The moment. I do know loads of

people locally who get them but they applied early and according to my social

worker they may be having them withdrawn as the criteria has changed.

Sally

From: Autism Treatment [mailto:Autism Treatment ] On Behalf Of Diane McGregor

Sent: Friday, March 31, 2006 10:47

PM

Autism Treatment

Subject:

Direct Payments

I'm currently undergoing a social services assessment to

decide if I can get direct payments for my kids. I've been turned down once, as

I was receiving a service called integrating children, who would take the kids

swimming once a fortnight, and accompany them to groups over the holidays, etc.

They have now run out of funding, so I reapplied for the direct payments, as I

am not getting any other services. I've heard from the senco at their school

that the social worker has been in to see the kids and discussed with the senco

the possibility of my getting direct payments for the month that my husband is

away, but I'll have to agree to their behaviour support team coming round to

advise me on how to cope with them! Has anyone else had to do this? I have a BIG

problem with this, as I think that I am the best person to decide how to cope

with my children, after all, I'm the person the school always phones to help

them out when they can't cope with .

Tia,

Diane

[Guest guest]

,

we just got the higher rate mobility backdated to his 5th birthday. I don't think you can get it until they are five. You need to look at the grounds carefully - must demonstarte his behaviour is caused by a permanent brain condition to qualify. You'll need to reapply for DLA jus before he's 5 anyway, I think.

6 hours weekly sounds good respite - we only ever got 3 until v. recently and we are seen as a family under a lot of stress, so get more help than most.

Margaret

Re: Direct Payments

I just had my interview as well. Seems locally if you say you need respite in order to spend time with your other NT child they view that as a valid arguement - so I used it. They also asked a lot of questions about whether my family vould help but they all live abroad and whether I have someone to "talk" to as I explained that the last 3 months have been awful with illnesses etc. and that I had crashed and burned and barely functioned and that was the time that I really needed the support.

In our area she says they tend to start small and let the package grow or shrink over the years based on need. She will go to panel and recommend 6 hours weekly respite during term time, a place on a local holiday scheme - 9 days in the summer - and put on 2 year waiting list for an after school club. is nearly 5. Obviously this is dependant on the panel approving this and me finding some one to employ for direct payments........

I'll let you know what happens. On the subject of benefits I now receive the higher rate DLA for personal care but the lower rate for mobility so I have asked for a reconsideration of the mobility allowance based on behavioural arguements - does anyone else receive this?

Thanks

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[Guest guest]

What sort of problems are you encountering? Which are are you in?

Mariella

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 14/11/2006 15:19:18 GMT Standard Time, dm012n1176@... writes:

Has anyone on this list had problems with applying for direct payment fromsocial services, especially where you've asked for the funds to buy inyour own helper/support.

>>>The point of Direct Payments is that you chose and pay your own staff. Dorset piloted Direct Payemtns for families with ASD kids so no trouble here in Dorset - in fact no choice its Direct Payments or nowt. However, because one family use half the budget the rest of us get 4 hours per week and an extra hour per week in school holidays regardless of 'assessed' need.

What problems are they giving you? Did you get your carers assessment yet?

Mandi x

[Guest guest]

That is absolute rubbish if you are offered a service then you have the right to have it in a direct payment eg if they say to yo your child needs x amount of respite then they have offered you a service unfortunately many SW have not got their heads around direct payments yet just keep pushing

i have just asked for an increase i currently get 6 hours per week i have to go to panel to fight my own corner. I am ready for them.

Mariella

[Guest guest]

I don't understand where your all coming from on this.

Are you saying parents get paid from SS for looking after their own children?

I thought you had to employ someone else of your own choosing, but still someone else, otherwise isn't that what carers allowance is?

Completely lost, have I been told the wrong thing by SS, we refuse respite and were told we could have DP to choose our own childminder, whatever, or nothing,is that not right then?

TIA

Vicky

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 14/11/2006 22:21:13 GMT Standard Time, MaddiganV@... writes:

Completely lost, have I been told the wrong thing by SS, we refuse respite and were told we could have DP to choose our own childminder, whatever, or nothing,is that not right then?

>>You cannot pay yourself or a family meber but you can pay other people at the rate you choose but you are only funded at a given rate. Dorset I htinkis very low from when we had this discussion before - we only get £7.42 per hour to pay our carers. I pay an SLT £15 so I only get half the hours I would if I paid at the funded rate.

Mandi x

[Guest guest]

>

> In a message dated 14/11/2006 15:19:18 GMT Standard Time,

> dm012n1176@... writes:

>

> Has anyone on this list had problems with applying for direct payment

> from

> social services, especially where you've asked for the funds to buy in

> your own helper/support.

>

>

>

>>>>The point of Direct Payments is that you chose and pay your own staff.

> Dorset piloted Direct Payemtns for families with ASD kids so no trouble

> here in

> Dorset - in fact no choice its Direct Payments or nowt. However, because

> one

> family use half the budget the rest of us get 4 hours per week and an

> extra

> hour per week in school holidays regardless of 'assessed' need.

>

> What problems are they giving you? Did you get your carers assessment

> yet?

>

> Mandi x

>

Hi Mandi,

SS came and did an assessement alright. They completely ignored what I'd

said about our little ones needs and next thing I get a phone call

offering a couple of hours child care at a local childminders. So I've

complained to SS and they're now arranging to come out and see me again.

Dawn

[Guest guest]

> What sort of problems are you encountering? Which are are you in?

> Mariella

>

We're in Birmingham. SS are trying every way they can to stop us getting

direct payments where we have the funds and buy in our own service.

According to them, they have to exhaust " internal services " before turning

to " external " .

Dawn

[Guest guest]

YOu might find it's some divvy in a suit who's decided this rather

than people at ground level. Either way - I'd play ball and get the

payments and use your time to educate them as far as you're able to

(without spitting). The poicy is clueless and offensive but you can

only change somethings from within. (cloak and dagger, yup)

>

> I'm currently undergoing a social services assessment to decide if

I can get direct payments for my kids. I've been turned down once,

as I was receiving a service called integrating children, who would

take the kids swimming once a fortnight, and accompany them to

groups over the holidays, etc. They have now run out of funding, so

I reapplied for the direct payments, as I am not getting any other

services. I've heard from the senco at their school that the social

worker has been in to see the kids and discussed with the senco the

possibility of my getting direct payments for the month that my

husband is away, but I'll have to agree to their behaviour support

team coming round to advise me on how to cope with them! Has anyone

else had to do this? I have a BIG problem with this, as I think that

I am the best person to decide how to cope with my children, after

all, I'm the person the school always phones to help them out when

they can't cope with .

>

> Tia,

> Diane

>

[Guest guest]

No, this is just lies. You have a right to choose direct payments. Tell

them so. Sorry I can't quote chapter and verse. Google it

Sally

dm012n1176@... wrote:

>

> > What sort of problems are you encountering? Which are are you in?

> > Mariella

> >

> We're in Birmingham. SS are trying every way they can to stop us getting

> direct payments where we have the funds and buy in our own service.

> According to them, they have to exhaust " internal services " before turning

> to " external " .

>

> Dawn

>

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> No virus found in this incoming message.

> Checked by AVG Free Edition.

> Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.14.3/530 - Release Date: 11/11/2006

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Dawn, we're also in Birmingham and these guys are the worse for

paying DPs. We battled for 4-5 months and finally got a £1000 cheque

and they closed our case. I think it is time for another battle(if

they want one that is). Have reopened the case recently and will be

asking for if not demanding DPs.

DPs is your legal right if you choose not to use their services. If

they say no -they are breaking the law(will try to dig out some Law

Acts relating to this issue). Tell the head of SS they are breaking

the Law if they refuse DPs.

Just found some info --'The Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000'.

Within this Act, as from April 2003, it makes it a duty on every

council to make direct payments, this includes payments to parents of

disabled children. Stand your ground and you will triumph.

Good luck

Baz

>

> Hi,

>

> Has anyone on this list had problems with applying for direct

payment from

> social services, especially where you've asked for the funds to buy

in

> your own helper/support.

>

> Having real problems at the moment, can anyone offer any advise or

tips?

>

> Dawn

>

[Guest guest]

We are okay in Lancs - Which area are you in Dawn ?

Seems to be a different story accross the country.

Direct Payments

Hi,Has anyone on this list had problems with applying for direct payment fromsocial services, especially where you've asked for the funds to buy inyour own helper/support.Having real problems at the moment, can anyone offer any advise or tips?Dawn

[Guest guest]

> Hi Dawn, we're also in Birmingham and these guys are the worse for

> paying DPs. We battled for 4-5 months and finally got a £1000 cheque

> and they closed our case. I think it is time for another battle(if

> they want one that is). Have reopened the case recently and will be

> asking for if not demanding DPs.

> DPs is your legal right if you choose not to use their services. If

> they say no -they are breaking the law(will try to dig out some Law

> Acts relating to this issue). Tell the head of SS they are breaking

> the Law if they refuse DPs.

> Just found some info --'The Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000'.

> Within this Act, as from April 2003, it makes it a duty on every

> council to make direct payments, this includes payments to parents of

> disabled children. Stand your ground and you will triumph.

>

> Good luck

> Baz

>

>>

>> Hi,

>>

>> Has anyone on this list had problems with applying for direct

> payment from

>> social services, especially where you've asked for the funds to buy

> in

>> your own helper/support.

>>

>> Having real problems at the moment, can anyone offer any advise or

> tips?

>>

>> Dawn

>>

>

>

>

>

Hi Baz,

Great stuff!!! I like a fight myself. Where did you find that info - I

wouldn't mind having a look at that myself?

Dawn

[Guest guest]

> We are okay in Lancs - Which area are you in Dawn ?

>

> Seems to be a different story accross the country.

>

>

> Direct Payments

>

>

> Hi,

>

> Has anyone on this list had problems with applying for direct payment

> from

> social services, especially where you've asked for the funds to buy in

> your own helper/support.

>

> Having real problems at the moment, can anyone offer any advise or tips?

>

> Dawn

>

>

>

>

We are in Birmingham, West Midlands. Our SS seems to be the tightest in

the country!!!!

Dawn

[Guest guest]

Hi mandi

I now work with a charity that helps service users people like us to manage their direct payments. Each authority has different rules here in staffs you can employ a family member as long as they do not live at the same address. I work with adults and the rules are a lot different than with children. Everyone that has an assessed need has the right to choose a direct payment unfortunately SS still are very powerfull on deciding about the assessd need i believe that if you are not happy with the decision take it further.i have recently learned that there is a matrix that SS work to where you score points towards assessed needs. I will know more when I go to panel . The Authority which i work for has different rules for the authority that pays us for Jordan. It takes some getting your head around.

Mariella

[Guest guest]

No, that's right. Direct payments mean they give you money to buy in

help. They don't give it to us so I speak theoretically. I have a

partner so in Southwark I can't get anything at all.

Sally

MaddiganV@... wrote:

>

> I don't understand where your all coming from on this.

> Are you saying parents get paid from SS for looking after their own

> children?

> I thought you had to employ someone else of your own choosing, but

> still someone else, otherwise isn't that what carers allowance is?

> Completely lost, have I been told the wrong thing by SS, we refuse

> respite and were told we could have DP to choose our own childminder,

> whatever, or nothing,is that not right then?

> TIA

> Vicky

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> No virus found in this incoming message.

> Checked by AVG Free Edition.

> Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.14.3/530 - Release Date: 11/11/2006

>