Care for young adults - Wiltshire

[Jan0326]

We are being given DP for our son (18), but I am struggling to find a PA or care agency that can help. 'Care' seems to be orientated to the elderly, not young. Does anyone know of any agencies or organisations in Wiltshire that could help?

There are no specific hours required, just need people I can call on when needed. Although having something regular would mean I could plan to do things for on my own a bit more! Also some respite is much needed!

[sl20]

Hi, sorry I don’t know Wiltshire but does your son have learning disabilities/autism? If yes you might be better contacting organisations like Mencap or Dimensions etc. They often do outreach work as well as residential supported living. In the past I have also paid for my son to attend a farm which my son loved and gives 6 hours respite. If you can find disability groups where they can work in small groups your direct payment will go further. You can also use the dp for a supported holiday for your son ( there are a few specialising in ld) that way you get some respite too. I found I had to have a regular weekly plan as staff need to plan their working week. Good luck

[HolisticMum in reply to sl20]

Even if you know friends/relatives who don't live with you, you could employ them.That has been a godsend to me. I have a company Enable who does the payroll after you tell them how many hours the people have worked.

Years ago when I used Agencies I never felt comfortable with strangers keep coming in, they didn't understand my boys and you have to work out what the helpers can do with your loved ones. Some people in Newham employ PAs and I know someone got their fab PA from an agency online and the helper went everywhere with her daughter and even took her out with her own friends. I think that's more of a one in a million chance tho.

Good luck. KT

[SGGG]

Hopefully you will have been given information about Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living WCIL - we got it with our DP agreement. They provide the (free) payroll, insurance, DBS and advice service for you to employ carers of your choice. They have been very helpful to us over the past 4 years. And I think they have a carers register to advertise your needs. But we found people from my son’s college who were happy to do out of hours work. Wiltshire Parent Carers Council WPCC might know of any suitable groups/activities in your area. We also used Out and About Swindon for holiday day services. Good luck.