Help for the future.

[Johnb4588]

Looking for advice, my daughter has severe learning difficulties which means she relies on us for everything, she is now 40 and and lives at home, as we are getting older our thoughts now is what will happen to her when we are no longer here, we have no other children and very few close family members, we would like to arrange for her future but aren’t sure how to do this so any advice would be appreciated.

[49Twister]

The first thing you need to do is to ring your local authority and ask for Adult Services for Learning Disabled Adults. Explain your situation and request that you need a social worker to do an assessment for both your daughters and your needs as her Carers. Then basically go from there regarding supported living or whatever her needs require. The social worker should advise and support you all in making the right decisions that suits you all. It can be a long slow process depending on where you live and choices available, so I would suggest you make that first contact as soon as possible to at least start the process, while your still in good health. Also if you have a Carers Centre in your area I would also make contact with them as they can offer a wide range of information and support which I found invaluable when I went through this process. Unfortunately most of us have to go through this and it’s not easy but It has to be done, so good luck and keep us posted.

[Bubbles99]

Hi there, I’m in the process of setting up a trust fund for my daughter. Mencap do a very good zoom event to let you know all the intricacies of writing a will when you have a child with learning disabilities. Very important. All the best 😁

[MontyCat]

You definitely need to contact Adult Social Care/your local Learning Disability Team as soon as possible, if you haven't already and get assessments done, as you have been advised. Having had a rough time with one local authority (my daughter is 27 and also has severe learning disabilities) I would also advise doing some research yourselves if possible - find out what is available, what your rights and your daughter's rights are and what your local authority is statutorily bound to provide. Experience teaches us that what is offered is not always what is needed or wanted, and can also fall short of what should be offered. The system can fail those it is supposed to support, so the more you know and the better informed you are, the better the outcome is likely to be. You may wish to consider applying for deputyship to the Court of Protection (this can be for either Finance & Property or Health & Welfare, or both), if you or a close relative/friend can commit to this as it may provide added protection for your daughter in the longer term. It is a long and arduous journey - I wish you good luck and success.