Advocate

[Patatasfritas]

Is it a good idea to use an advocate for a parent carer, during assessment and care plan for my learning disabled daughter. I am 70 now and after 34 years of this kind of thing, and now lots of health issues, I feel totally worn down. Thank you

[Jofisher]

I’m 68 and I feel your pain my sons 30 years old. I would say that’s an excellent idea and if she could afford it you could pay for a consultant social worker I know one if you can find one but I have found her invaluable . If interested do let me know otherwise do a search a see how you get on. Good luck

[MontyCat]

I have no personal experience of using an advocate but I would urge you to get whatever support you feel you need. Perhaps a friend or family member could attend meetings with you and help you get your daughter's needs, and yours, across to the professionals?

I would advise that you are careful about who is appointed as advocate if it is not someone known to you and/or who has good knowledge of your daughter's and your circumstances. If the advocate is appointed by social services, they may be working to a different agenda to the one you need.

Good luck, and I hope you find good support.

[Tracidu]

Hi , I am the same age as you and after 38years of dealing with assessments and other issues I understand how wearing it is . I have decided any further dealings with assessments I will get advocate to help me . I have been through it many times on my own but I think now I will get someone to speak up for my son . Good luck and I hope you find a good advocate to help you .

[Runragged2000]

Like yourself after many, many years of "the fight" to get my brother with LD needs met and funding secured, I turned to an advocate for help and support. Our meetings were always with the LA social work dept. My advocate was not allowed to speak at the meetings. However, she made a written record of the discussions and would indicate when I should ask for an adjournment so that she could speak to me privately to discuss what had been said and help me to decide how I should direct the discussion, review what had been discussed so far and kept me focussed. The notes made were invaluable when I was formulating the next course of action or writing to the LA after the meetings. I would say that I felt that the social workers were uncomfortable with an independent witness being present at the meetings and possibly seen this as a challenge to them. I am not sure if having the witness present influenced their decisions and if this was seen as negative or positive to them.

[Annabellelily Community friend]

Hi there. I don’t have any experience with this myself, but I agree with other commenters that getting any additional support you may need is a good idea. Take care of yourself, as that can also help you take better care of your loved ones in the long run, so it doesn’t wear you down and become too much. Wishing you and your daughter the best of luck