Advice on supported living and approving funding.

[PoodlePa]

I am wondering if anyone has any experience with getting approval of supported living. My sister has been on a waiting list since 2019 after my dad passed away and my mum (of 70) is not being able to cope with my sister on her own. After a long wait we recently found the perfect house for her and applied for funding to Hampshire country council which after a 4 weeks it got rejected because apparently my sisters needs was not complex enough. The provider was apply for 7 hours care. To try and give some perspective. My sister has a learning disability, 2 dimensional vision (she has had 3 falls within the last month), has very poor hearing, she is unable to carry out general most day to day tasks unsupported. She can’t cook, do laundry, shopping, general hygiene etc.. In terms of my mum (not sure this is considered), she is really struggling and being my sister full time carer is taking its toll both mental and physically. I am concerned something will happen to her which will mean my sister will be left without any care at some point. In terms of the supported living accommodation, the other resident (who was lovely) appears to have a lot more capacity than my sister. Therefore the decision by Hampshire CC’s assessment doesn’t make any sense to us and appears to be driven by different factors. The only route to appeal given by Hampshire CC is to raise a complaint on the website. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[Jofisher]

I would get a consultant independent social worker see if you can find one locally if not then I have a contact as she can definitely advise and support you if required there’s also the mencap helpline.

[PoodlePa in reply to Jofisher]

Thank you very much for your advice, I t’s much appreciated. I have reached out to mencap who have referred the case to someone internally so hopefully hear back next week. I did reach out to a couple of independent social workers but they don’t have any capacity unfortunately. If you were able to share any information about your contact that would be amazing. Thank you again!

[Jofisher in reply to PoodlePa]

Hi Vanessa Evans her email is [e-mail]

[PoodlePa in reply to Jofisher]

Thank you! 🙏

[Creamcrackers20]

Hi PoodlePa, I hope you've had some response from somewhere by now but feel I have to tell you that your CC and social services dept are breaking all the rules, they not only have a "duty of care" to your sister but also to your Mother. In "best interest" (quote that to them) they are wholly responsible and obliged to provide the funding for residential care for your sister.

A word with Age Concern might pull some weight but also write to your local MP.

Don't give up.

[PoodlePa in reply to Creamcrackers20]

Thank you! It’s quite frustrating, especially when the care managers seem to be very defensive and rude. They actually said they weren’t obligated by law to provide supported living for her. We will raise a complaint but we’re trying to collate a bank of evidence. We have reached out to Mencap helpline and an independent social worker who hopefully can help us navigate some of this. I did think about contacting our MP but was slightly put off with it being Suella Braverman 🫣 Age concern is a good shout, thank you! 🙏

[Creamcrackers20]

Another thought, does your County offer the "Direct Payment" scheme ?I'm 79, my daughter 45, for the past 11 years she's lived in her own rented 2 bed flat with 24/7 care. We employ carers via the direct payment scheme, family members can also be employed to be part of the team.

[PoodlePa in reply to Creamcrackers20]

She used to have direct payments but that might be have stopped or be directly paying for some of the day services she uses. I’ll check on that as that could be a good route too. Thank you.

[Creamcrackers20]

Just checked via Google and yes Hampshire CC do offer a "direct payment" so it could be an option for your sister.