How to get social services funding for learning disabled son?

[deborahcoxsuckle]

The social worker says my LD son doesn't meet the criteria for supported housing, I appealed to services manager and she says the same. My son has mild learning disabilities and some MH difficulties, he's vulnerable and in a bad crowd and taking god knows what drugs, He spends all his disability benefits on drugs with the neighbours who take advantage off him. Social services did a safe guarding on my son and they said he has capacity and he's happy with the situation.

I want him moved out the area and into supported housing, a better area as he's in a rough council estate at the money with many people on drugs. Why is it so hard to get funding or a supported living placement?

Is it generally hard to get supported living or funding for vulnerable people with mild LD's? He was classed as a backwards child at school but no extra provision, he was in mainstream. Why no support?

[deborahcoxsuckle]

This site is dead! My 53 year old backwards son needs and there is nobody who can offer advice? He's on drugs and being taken advantage of and social services don't care. I'm at my wits ends.

[Housebuster in reply to deborahcoxsuckle]

Have you had a capacity test done by a GP or other professional? SS determined my son had capacity for managing finances, we sought a 2nd professional opinion and they determined he did not have capacity. We are now his court appointed deputies for finances and health and welfare. So, if you haven't already, get another opinion.

[SpeedyH in reply to deborahcoxsuckle]

Hi there, I can see that you are distressed. The lack of response to your post is not because we don't care, but because this is a learning disability forum and most of us don't have experience of the drug addiction and mental health problems you describe to know what to advise. We do, however have loved ones with learning disabilities and it is important to us that they are treated with respect, terms like 'backwards' cause them harm by reinforcing out-dated stereotypes. 🙂

[MissStumble]

Hi there. Happy to input some thoughts which you are free to use or ignore. It must be stressful for you to witness. Anything where our children are not in safe and helpful situations is very difficult. The question around capacity is often used as a weapon/excuse to not spend money.

You have to bring this back to the law and determine whether your son has capacity in the laws eyes. Be mindful of the language you use around learning disability. He has a vulnerability and a learning disability. He is not backward which is a term that is outdated and not very helpful for you to move forwards in your son’s case. Whilst I understand there is generational language that is sometimes hard to shake it will help to show you are able to fight your son’s case appropriately.

Your questions need to be: is it lawful? Is it reasonable? Is the decision irrational? Is it person centred?

Is the attitude of saying he is happy when is he is clearly unwell, unstable and being taken advantage of, actually an irrational outcome to his wellbeing because of adhering to any rigid policies which are not based in law that social care are using. Probably.

Social care has a proactive duty to assess need and minimise the impact of a person’s disability by signposting or providing services that support the person.

They cannot say it is his choice if he does not have full capacity and this is a health and safeguarding issue. It will be dependent on his willingness to co-operate with you as his mother though and if you do not have legal power of attorney, deputyship or anything written in a legal document to say you can act on his behalf - this will be where the challenges are.

Find a solicitor that deals with disability/mental health and capacity cases. Would recommend researching with Mencap, Scope, Citizens Advice. If you are on Facebook search for local disability support groups to yourself. Ultimately if you really want to help your son you would have to prove with private/NHS reports from professionals who have seen your son and assessed him and then you have evidence. Unfortunately and very wrongly social care do not take parent carers seriously or value their opinions. As we have found with our son who has severe and complex multiple disabilities. Try to take emotion out of the equation and seek legal help. Each case is unique and will have several failures along the way within the system that have lead to this point. There is a social care crisis and it seems capacity is the first port of call in proving what support and how it is given. Social care saying your son is happy when it seems fairly clear there are issues that he needs help and guidance around, is a failure in itself. However without evidenced proof whether he has capacity or not you won’t be able to do anything unfortunately.

I would involve alert GP as first port of call. Due to your son’s age, which is irrelevant in terms of his ability, he must have had some interaction over the years with someone who has seen him in person and can help. But again it is down to your son’s willingness to interact. Ultimately you are a mother who cares and wants to help a situation which is not good, and feel powerless and isolated; and I’m really sorry about that. Sending love and strength to you.

[49Twister]

Hi sorry to hear of your situation, I feel your pain and frustration. As some have said we aren't familiar with the drug situation so unsure how to advise. Unfortunately like your son my son was born in the 70's, he is now 49. There wasn't the support or the same understanding then as there is now, and a lot of people born then or earlier were put on the back burner (so to speak)and left to get on with it. You didn't question the so called experts then and did what you were told, times were very different. Everything now is based on Capacity and the Mental Capacity Act. Unlike your son my son attended a special school all his life till he was 20, then as an adult was pretty much forgotten about. In 2014 I took my son to the GP as he was suffering with anxiety which was affecting both our lives, and she referred him for a psychology assessment. After weeks of doing the assessment she rang me to say he was diagnosed with Severe Learning Disability and how did I feel about that. I said I've always known that it's other people who don’t get him. He has always been good at communication and has some common sense but this doesn't mean he understands what he is being told or what he is saying. He is unable to read or write, has no concept of time or finance, needs support with most aspects of daily life, consequently he has been misunderstood most of his life, which caused the anxiety. Has your son had a recent assessment, I would suggest starting over if he would agree to it. Assessments and tests proving his disability are paramount in getting help and support. My son just had a capacity test done last year which proved he didn’t have capacity for finance, in my eyes it's pretty obvious but this confirms it's real. In the meantime you both need support re his drug taking. You could see your Dr and discuss your concerns she probably can't discuss your son due to data protection but might be able to advise where you can get some support. Wishing you luck and best wishes.x

[Maurice_Mencap Partner]

Hello deborahcoxsuckle , there's a lot of advice from members of the community here that I hope can help you with your situation. It sounds like it's an incredibly stressful time for you.

As well as the actions that some people have outlines here, I'd also recommend calling Mencap's Learning Disability Helpline to talk to one of our trained advisers about what's happening. You can reach them on 0808 808 1111 or by email on [e-mail] if you prefer.

They should be able to provide some ideas about what steps you can take or provide details of other organisations and services that can support you.