Housing

[Heatherdene7]

Can anyone give advice on if my disabled brother can choose to live in a flat of his own again?. He lived alone with support for over 25 years . He’s since tried supporting living and it didn’t work out . He’s been stuck in respite for over 27 months now and wants his own place again . New social workers refused and is trying to talk him back into supported living . Social worker says he needs 24/7 support, is he not entitled to this in a place of his own ? We found a flat next door but one to my daughter and social worker made us turn it down . Is this acceptable? Social worker says he needs some help with capacity and complex decisions but stated it’s for his advocate to assist with but no mention of family that have looked out for him all his life .

[Jofisher]

Call Mencap helpline they should be able to advise you

[Jofisher]

Can you afford a consultant social worker I had to do this any it was worth every Penny in all honesty but you want a good one can I ask whereabouts your brother lives as I know a good one but I’m sure there are others out there too. It’s so hard trying to fight the system that’s why you need help. Does your brother have an advocate. I would advise you to get deputyship for your brother for property and finance and then health and well-being. It’s crucial once they become adults otherwise life becomes so difficult.

[Eeviee in reply to Jofisher]

Hi I live in North west London and need help with social services. Do you know of any independent consultants that cover my area ?

[Jofisher in reply to Eeviee]

I will ask and come back to you

[Jofisher in reply to Eeviee]

Social care advice Vanessa Evans social worker consultant here’s her details she said she can cover your area.

Contact details for a consultant social worker I highly recommend.

[Eeviee in reply to Jofisher]

Sorry for the late response. Thank you so much for the contact details.

[LDAutie]

Heatherdene7 hi,i just want to say keep pushing for supported living for him,yes he is entitled to it,but you all need a lot of profesionl advocacy backing him to show he is more than just the f word theyre all frightened of (funding),the advocacy service i use only comes to my aid if my parents are not allowed to get involved,so that coud also be a probllem you may come across,the advocacy service said this is because they see family members as possible advocates even when theyve got health complications themselves and cannot advocate but want to be part of the meeting anyway.

if social services find a residential service cheaper for supporting his needs than giving him 1-1/2-1 in his own place 24hrs a day, they will place him in the residential,they did that with me for many years even though my needs and difficulties clashed with a few other service users regulary.

one of the down sides to residential is not only having to live with other peoples complex needs and behaviors that may clash with your own, you also lose the care part of the DLA/PIP,this was a while ago i remembering from but i only got something like £23 a week it was called pocket money,it didnt cover my complex needs, dietry needs that werent covered by the food bought in by the homes, and petrol for my motability car and on top of that activities to do.

i get 24hr care in my own supported living flat within a purpose built facility,so it can be done,it may also depend on your council/area,as to how hard they take to get them to see this from what your brother woud want,and not what the cheapest option for them is.

i wish you both the best of luck with this!

[Heatherdene7 in reply to LDAutie]

Thank you . I’m still fighting because I know it’s all to do with funding . It’s wrong and an underhanded way of depriving people of their liberties . Wishing you well in your home life . I would love something like this for my brother but we don’t have those facilities in our area so social services push people into supported living with other people .

[Hidden]

Hi there your brother can live anywhere he wishes. It’s he’s basic human right to do so. So I suggest you try get him a health and social personal budget. Abs contact a housing charity organisation called let’s for life. If you need any help message me. Leo.

[Sarah_Mencap]

Hello

This sounds like a very difficult situation for you all.

Please do call our helpline so you can talk this through with one of our trained advisors.

You can call on 0808 808 1111 (10am to 3pm Monday to Friday) or you can email [e-mail] if that is easier.

Best wishes.

Sarah

[Kieran_Mencap]

Thanks for making contact, I suggest you contact our helpline on 0808 808 1111 or email [e-mail].

Take care

Kieran