Support to go on a short holiday

[RosieAF]

My sister in law lives in a supported living home provided by Sanctuary Care. It is a small group home and she has lived there for c. 30 years. The staff are taking residents on a short holiday (3 nights), but are refusing to support my sister in law on the trip. She has Cerebral Palsy, Aspergers and Learning difficulties. She has some challenging behaviours which can escalate quite rapidly, but if managed properly, can usually subside quickly. She was really looking forward to going, and feel that she is being discriminated against and is being used as a punishment for some of her behaviours. We have a meeting about it on Monday and need some advice. Thank you.

[SpeedyH]

I'm not an expert in these issues so just posting as a family carer. My thoughts about the meeting, for what they are worth are as follows. Firstly, in my experience meetings such as these quite often tend to be a symptom of wider grumbles and quickly lose their original focus and become a forum for a whole host of grievances regarding our loved ones. So my first piece of advice is to be firm that the meeting is purely for discussing how they are going to accommodate your s in law's choice that she goes on the break with her housemates. Any other problems are for another meeting on another day.

Ask for the specific reason that they are excluding her from the trip. Make clear that she has expressed that she wants to go and unless there are excellent reasons why it is not in her best interests to enjoy this treat, to exclude her would be disability discrimination. Remember, you are not there to plead why she should be allowed to go, THEY have to have valid, lawful arguments why they are excluding her. Ask to see their risk assessment for the trip that is specific to your s in law. If they haven't done one for that specific trip, and specifically for her then how do they know what the problems are so that they can work to mitigate them. If they have done one, as well as a list of 'risks' there should be details of how they can mitigate those risks. Ask what steps they have taken to include her and what further steps need to be achieved to facilitate her inclusion.

A final caveat - they might have made the correct decision that it is in your s in law's best interests not to go. That is why it is so important to find out their reasons first of all. As she ages, she might be more anxious about new experiences and distressed by change, and although the idea of a break appeals, the staff might know that the reality would be distressing for her. Just as she shouldn't be excluded for logistical reasons, she also shouldn't go just because breaks away are considered a treat by other people. Keep an open mind! Good luck 🙂

[Scrutineer in reply to SpeedyH]

Hi, came here to post similar response. No need now, your reply is, well informed, measured and describes an approach will will ensure any decision around the supported holiday will comply with the equality agenda and the Care Act. Thank you.

[49Twister]

I would almost certainly feel as though she was being discriminated against if not included for this short break considering she has lived a lot of her life there. I agree with SpeedyH you need to get the specific reasons for this exclusion, but in my opinion that really shouldn't stop your sis in law from attending. They should be putting protocols and risk assessments in place to accommodate her no matter what, whether this means extra staff in case of any challenging behavior episodes, or anything else that might be needed. Try and stay calm but your sis in law has rights and your her voice. Has she been away previously, surely she must have in the last 30 years? Good luck for Monday and keep us posted.

[49Twister]

Would be very interested to know the outcome but only if you feel like sharing.