Help needed

[Bsh693]

Desperate for help to avoid my adult son going into the criminal justice system through lack of correct support in supported living , have contacted social worker with several emails but get nothing back , drained & exhausted ,

Bsh693

[49Twister]

Sorry to hear this are you able to provide any further information. They have a duty of care in supporting your son but I too am disillusioned that this happens in a lot of cases. Sounds like you may also need some legal advice hope someone can help. If social worker not responding you need to find out who is her boss and also maybe get in touch with CEO of the company supporting your son to register your concerns with them. Good luck, hopefully someone can help.

[Lindypops56]

I am so sorry to hear this. You haven’t said what the reasons are and obviously it’s a difficult subject. My own adult son who lives in supported accommodation had a close shave with CJ system due to lack of awareness of inappropriate behaviour. We live in Scotland where the laws are slightly different but we have legal welfare guardianship powers and have used these to prevent him going out alone without support. We have also been hugely supported by Adult Support and Protection and Social Services and his Psychiatrist. It is a fact that people like my son and yours do end up in the CJ system and this is a terrifying prospect. I hope you manage to get support.

[XGCC]

Agree with other two replies. 1) Contact duty system in Social care, refer to safeguarding. Ask for review of care plan. 2) Police should try and divert from criminal justice system if first offence - obtain legal representation.

[Winnie555]

Sorry to hear that you and others face this problem. My son is also in supported living and the police have been called twice by staff who clearly did not know how to manage his challenging behaviour. On the second occasion he was carted off to a police station miles away in the middle of the night! To say that we were furious, not just that this happened but that they didn't tell us about it until the next day, is an understatement. My husband and I are determined that this won't happen again if we can help it. Here are a few suggestions...1. Look at his care plan and ask for a review with social care if necessary. Does the plan make adequate provision for 1:1 support and behaviour management? If it does, are the care staff implementing the plan properly?

2. Find out how much training the care staff have in working with LD and challenging behaviour or whatever particular difficulties your son has. We made a big fuss about this. It's still a work in progress but better than it was. Contact the behaviour support team at your local authority if necessary.

3. You might find this link useful:

gov.uk/government/publicati...

We keep information about disability rights and publications such as the above to hand in case it ever happens again.

4. Be polite but assertive in your dealings with care managers and social services. Make it clear that you have read up on the law/rights relating to disability and are ready to support them to make things work better for everyone's sake.

Very best of luck!