Hello!

[Lindorfancier]

Hi, I am a widowed mum of 3 daughters and my middle daughter has Down’s syndrome. She is 44 years old, very capable, is an encyclopaedia on disaster movies, collects books and dvds and loves to travel. At present she is living in a house with 3 other people who unfortunately are non verbal. I am looking for an alternative, social services aren’t much help and I’ve run out of ideas! What suggestions does anyone have.

[parasiticworm]

I was in a similer situation with supported housing for myself, there simply isn't anywhere avielble. I live in a shared house with 2 other people and a spare room that is avierble and I'm worried who they'll move into there as the care company in the past have moved bad people into there and it really has a effect on the whole house, staff team included. But I've been on the social services radar for 2 years now looking for another but smaller supported living house and there isn't any. I have been reassured by the management that who ever moves in with be vetted this time and will not be bad, I don't trust them though,

[Lindorfancier in reply to parasiticworm]

Thanks for replying, it’s so difficult to find the right balance of people and I don’t think social services are too bothered. I know they are over stretched but I think they take the easy way out.

[BenjiB]

To get social services to do anything you need to be a pain and keep on at them. Request a sit down meeting with her social worker and lay out all the reasons you feel her needs aren’t being met, her social needs especially. Back it all up in writing. When my son moved last year I contacted places myself and arranged visits to look around. We looked at all the big care groups like Voyage, Home from home, achieve together etc . I booked visits to places I thought looked suitable. We also has support from the placement team at our council, every council should have one.

[Lindorfancier in reply to BenjiB]

How right you are! Everyone I’ve spoken to says to do the same - be a complete pain. Note to self - try harder. Interested in the council placement team, didn’t know there was such a thing.

Many thanks.