Is this legal?

[LDAutie]

I have 24 hour care and complex needs and someone is supposed to be with me at all times.

I live in a care facility with two sides,one side is respite, the other side which I’m on is for people who can’t cope in group settings or are more independent,we all have our own funding given to each of us,I’m the only person out of everyone to get 24hr care.

This happens quite a lot where someone from next door will ring up saying they need someone extra to come stay on that side while one of the staff goes to the shop for dinner, or someone from my side will need 2-1 while having meds or something else, it is always my staff who is taken away to cover, My mum and dad were always told my funding and my staff is for me only, so how do they get away with this?

Also,I know my waking night staff are sleeping, I have quite severe epilepsy and very severe sleep apnea as well as behaviors that challenge and I will see them until about 1am then no visits till my meds at 7am,a light comes on if anyone comes out-no one does visits the whole night although I do hear staff coming out to go in their cars and I don’t hear anyone go back in for a while, both my doors are alarmed but they never react to them.

I have heard day staff say it’s ok to sleep as long as they are a light sleeper, not good when they’re supposed to do hourly checks and visibly see me is it?

What do I do? I am so fed up with making complaints because they don’t sack anyone as they are so short staffed and the night staff always find out it’s me who reported them.

I am very worried about reporting any of it,I know as soon as I do,they’ll know whose reported it,no one else has constant support needs.

My mum and dad want me to move into a nother facility and I’ve got a feeling the company want me out as they keep saying people with my needs can’t live here,I was moved here just over four years ago as they were the only local place downstairs with a patio that allowed me to have a cat,my fish and rabbits so moving anywhere else which scares me hugely.

I also feel like I am being bullied by some of the staff who keep telling me I need to lose weight,go walking and get some exercise,the people who tell me that use a car everywhere, eat takeaway every day-I have no take away and only eat once a day at the same time every day -I am very physically disabled due to over restraint and have been prescribed wheelchairs for years,but they are so judgy and completely ignore my physical disability, the only person who understands is my neurologist.

Shoud my mum and dad contact my social worker? Is there anyway I can get a new place looked in to without my current place finding out?

I am so sorry about the length of my post, I am just fed up.

[Iolo]

Hello LDAutie. Thank you so much for your very honest post. You have made me think of someone I know and how they might truly be feeling so I am definitely going to reach out to them today. I think it would be really good if you, you parents and your social worker talked privately together and came up with a plan. I know that a lot of care homes are really stretched at the moment but if you are unhappy or scared then you should talk to people you trust and who can help. Good luck.

[Sarah_Mencap]

Hello LDAutie

I am sorry that this is happening. It is a tricky situation for you. I can understand that you might not want your current care facility to know if you are looking elsewhere.

You don't need to apologise for being honest.

Your social worker would be a good person to talk to about what is worrying and how you are feeling. Would you be able to do this privately - without other people where you live knowing?

It would also be great if you, or your mum and dad, could give our Learning Disability Helpline a call on 0808 808 1111 and they will be able to talk through your options.

I really hope you get some help sorting this. It is really important that you feel happy and safe where you live.

Best wishes

Sarah

[S3w3ng39]

Hi

I am sorry to read your letter. I think you and your parents have to talk to the social worker and try to contact the Care Quality Commission to tell them about your concerns.

Mum of A