My son is 32 and lives in supported accommodation about 10 miles away. He has Autism and LD. Before lockdown he had a great social life with clubs and activities etc. Then came Covid and everything changed- for him and thousands like him. Suddenly there was nothing but he coped pretty well with all the restrictions and rules . Then the world opened up and suddenly so did pubs - not however his organised activities. In a nutshell he has been going out unsupported in the community to pubs and has inevitably got into trouble. He attempted to kiss a 13 year old girl and the police were called - he hasn’t been charged but this is classed as a sexual assault. I have been worried that something like this was going to happen for months. His carers have no powers to lock him in and there is not enough support for him to go out accompanied. The police agree that he should not be out alone in the community- he has been coerced financially in recent weeks too. He is extremely vulnerable and now a risk to others too.
We as parents are welfare guardians - we live in Scotland so laws differ.- and have asked that he not be allowed out unsupported and that police be called to return him should he abscond.
We have an adult support and protection case conference on Tuesday to discuss all of the concerns. I am sick with worry and anxiety about what will become of him. I have fought all his life to get him the help and support he needs but I’m beginning to lose the will as it’s taking over my life. I have two other children and two little grandchildren and I want to spend time with them without constantly worrying about my other son.
Can anyone advise me about what I can do to force the hand of Social services to provide him with the additional support he requires to keep him safe.
Thanks for listening
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Lindypops56
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Have you raised a safeguarding as he’s at risk to himself and others and this needs to be addressed to protect him otherwise they’re setting him up to fail in so many ways. Could you afford a consultant social worker ? Should he have an I.M.C.A. Maybe speak to the Mencap helpline as well. I had to get a consultant social worker and it was the best thing I ever did. I’m my sons deputy as well for health and well-being and property and finance I did it online on the government website gov.uk also the carers association maybe able to advise you. Good luck and I wish you well and if you have any other questions please ask.
Thank you for your reply. I think the rules are different in Scotland but we are in touch with a consultant social worker who is part of the team in Adult support and protection. I intend to raise our safeguarding concerns at the meeting on Tuesday. I’m not sure what an IMCA is? Could you clarify? I’m also not sure that MENCAP are able to advise on Scottish issues - I have contacted Enable but so far they have failed to reply 😢
Your welcome I’m not sure if I’m right but I looked online and it appears Mencap is in Scotland as well. Check it out and see if you can find anything on it.
Hi it does sound like you need some kind of deprivation of Liberty order if you want to restrict your son going out alone. I’m not sure how that works in Scotland or with the accommodation he is in. The deprivation of Liberty would be after a best interest assessment and obviously if he is putting himself and others at risk of harm because of his disability then it should be considered especially if he does not understand the dangers for himself and others and the police have already been involved. This assessment would also consider other ways that your son could be kept safe but you might argue that he needs additional support staff to go out with him and that would keep him and others safe. Good luck. I know it sounds awful but you are actually helping your son with his Liberty if you get this put in place before anything bad happens to take his Liberty away and matters escalate out of your control. Hope this gives you some ideas.
Thank you so much. I don’t think DOL does apply in Scotland but I’m sure there must be an equivalent under the terms of our legal and welfare guardianship powers within the Adults with Incapacity legislation. I am certainly looking at something like this given his vulnerability both to himself and others. All this advice is extremely useful so 🙏 Y
I am sorry to here your story my brother to is a vulnerable adult who also needs supervision when he goes out I to am banging my head up a brick wall I have been fighting with the authorities over the last 12 months to get my brother the help he needs but they keep using this get out of jail free card he has got full capacity and I am stuck I hope and wish you all the best for your case but don’t be surprised if they play this card full capacity I hope they don’t for you sending you all the best and I really hope you can get some answers for your son 💙
I’m sorry to hear of your difficulties too! My son lacks capacity and has been assessed fully to evidence this - hopefully this will add weight to our case!Good luck to you too
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