Care home closing, lack of communication from Social Services

[Pogul44]

Hi,

My brother lives in a small care home for 6 people who all have severe learning disabilities and have high-level care needs.

The service who run the care home gave notice of the home closing 3 months ago and social services were immediately informed, as were family members. The home is closing because its location is quite remote and difficult for staff to get to without a car. It used to have a good bus service but over time it has reduced to negligible.

The care service have worked hard and now have suitable places for all the residents within their other services, however, as far as Social Services are concerned moving home is moving home, even if within the same service, and the local authority are now essentially treating our loved ones like a commodity and putting them out to tender by other service providers. Apparently this is part of the necessary process but their communication with family is negligible despite there being a consultation process where we should be consulted. They are likely operating outside of the law on this.

With 3 weeks to go despite chasing up and empty promises we are still waiting on what options are available to our loved ones. This doesn't leave much time for consultation or to ensure they/we have the time to assess their proposed new home. They need to be introduced to the service for an initial "cup of tea" visit, followed up by progressively longer visits eventually leading to an overnight stay. Each visit enables familiarisation of the new people, surroundings and generally getting comfortable with the place that will be their home. They deserve this settling in time and yet it seems they won't get this opportunity.

I have continually asked Social Services what their process is and to ensure we are engaged in the process and consulted but it is very minimal.

Does anyone know what process they should be following please?

Does each local authority follow their own process or is it a government guided process?

Any help or suggestions would be gratefully received as we are now 24 days and counting before the doors close.

Many thanks.

[Jofisher]

An you find a Private consultant social worker ? Would it be worth speaking to the care quality commission or mencap helpline there’s also independent mental capacity advocates you should have a local service in your area

[Pogul44 in reply to Jofisher]

Thanks for such a prompt response Jofisher.

I did think about contacting CQC, OPG, CoP and an Advocacy group in the area. I don't think any of these will be able to help directly as they seem to oversee specific areas but I thought it might be worth asking them anyway in case they can point me in the right direction. I was doing the same by asking a question here, as you may have gathered. I didn't think about the Mencap helpline though and it never would have crossed my mind to find a Private consultant social worker.

Thanks so much for the tips . I'll let you know how I get on.

[Jofisher in reply to Pogul44]

Your welcome I had real problems when my son was sent to an appalling care home a long way from home, this is why I went to a private social worker and I have to say she was amazing I couldn’t have got him out of there and into a better home locally without her and I am a deputy scary stuff. Good luck

[Pogul44 in reply to Jofisher]

I just found a Consultant Social Worker by doing a web search. It's a bit of a random way to do it as you can't be sure who you're getting. It's unlikely she'll be able to help as she seems to handle child services and my brother is an adult however she might be able to point me in the right direction.

Could you tell me who you used please? I'm not sure if it's permissible as it may be classed as advertising but I thought I'd ask anyway as I may be wrong on that. It's worth an ask!!

[Jofisher in reply to Pogul44]

She’s someone I used to work for I will ask her if she could have a conversation with you.

[Jofisher in reply to Jofisher]

I’ve had to leave a message as she’s not available at the moment

[Jofisher in reply to Jofisher]

Just wondering would it be worth talking to your local MP as well

[Jofisher in reply to Pogul44]

Hi Vanessa is interviewing all day today but she said give her a call on Monday if you have no luck with the other contacts. I am sure she will be able to advise and guide you 07554 992560

[Maisey01]

CQC need informing, social services are a law to themselves unfortunately. May also be worth speaking to citizens advise or a solicitor on the legal aspects, sending love and best wishes to your family member and the other people in the home x

[SpeedyH]

I strongly recommend that you contact Cascaidr as soon as possible. They are cascaidr.org.uk. They are a charity offering legal advice around unlawful behaviour of LAs in providing care and support for Adults. Fortunately, they have just reopened their legal advice support after being closed during the pandemic. If they feel your LA is acting unlawfully, they will support you to fight to get the care and support your son needs - they won’t do it for you, but it sounds like you are perfectly capable of taking on the challenge! Good luck. 💐

[Oto3]

I hear you Pogul44. We found ourselves in a similar situation. Short notice of closing of a care home and we were left to find a new home asap. Social Worker had to conduct an assessment, a proposal of care and support plan, etc. everything has to be done quickly..hence ideal transition process was ignored. We were left in dark like you how the process work? We really want to find out how we sent our "wish lists of care and support" on behalf our loved one to both SW and a potential Care provider and crossing our fingers that they "listen".