should peeps with LD be able to go on holiday abroad? With or without their staff?

[parasiticworm]

What makes you think they should be able to travel?

[mrcyclops Community friend]

Hi there.

This is my first ever post as I've only just joined HealthUnlocked

I think for me, it's more of a general question about whether anybody, LD or not, should be able to go on holiday on their own, with or without their carers, staff or parents...

I think it comes down to whether that person has to capacity to look after themselves, both physically and mentally and if they have respect for others, are not deemed to be at risk to themselves or another person, can understand and manage travel plans/ journeys and generally have some experience of managing in a variety of situations. It's about whether they can manage their own food, meds and health care. Whether that person is vulnerable or has a good understanding of how the world works. And if that person can manage money, knows how to ask for help or assistance, can communicate well.

In all, I think that anybody wanting to go on holiday and wanting to do so on their own, must have demonstrated the capacity to cope and manage on their own, in different places and show strength in their independence.

After all, going on holiday for anybody can pose a number of challenges.

The trains being on time being the first

[Housebuster]

Why shouldnt they travel?My son has immediate family abroad, we cannot afford to pay for staff, but he cannot travel alone, therefore a family member goes with him. My son is assessed to pay towards his daycare costs, due to this its now far more difficult for him to visit his family, if he had a paid carer going with him it would cost around £12000 as opposed to 4000 with a family carer. However, SS will not consider this when assessing finances.

[Runragged2000]

I find the tone of your question offensive.

[DrSarahmac in reply to Runragged2000]

I think parasiticworm may be asking from the perspective of someone who is experiencing barriers to travelling alone himself and is looking for some answers to why that may be.

[parasiticworm in reply to DrSarahmac]

some of my staff make comments about me going abroad because I’m on benefit, it makes me feel like I don’t deserve going away, currently in Turkey with one of my staff for 10 days and having a wonderful time. It’s very expensive going with my staff but it’s worth it. Is it bad being on benefits and going on vacation abroad?

[DrSarahmac in reply to parasiticworm]

No. It’s up to you what you spend your money on. Glad you’re enjoying life 👍

[Marzano in reply to DrSarahmac]

Live your life to the full! Great to hear that you're having a good time. It's your money to spend on whatever you enjoy.

[Nicko117]

Pass a mental capacity assessment and off they go. if not, then they should be entitled to a holiday with a carer.. simples

[Theneighbour in reply to Nicko117]

I'm learning here so please be patient.. how do you get a mental capacity assessment. My neighbour had an assessment 11 years ago for LD , he didn't have any issues, Dr says he had mild difficulty but LD staff say he can't get them later in life , he must be born with them .. my neighbour has autism and asperger traits I recognise, looking for residential care but everywhere require a social worker assessment. Maybe easier to get mental capacity assessment???

[parasiticworm in reply to Theneighbour]

From my understanding it’s hard to get a mental capacity assessment without any underlying diagnosis, I had mine done by a LD psychologist after waiting months, I failed it and now have a deputyship in place, I asked for another capacity assessment and they won’t give me one. I think if a person only has a mild LD they are not entitled to support or funding. They are likely to have full mental capacity. I have a mild LD myself but have a serious psychotic disorder as well so am entitled to full funding. I don’t have to make a contribution towards my care.

[Chocolate-heals-all]

A person might need a holiday abroad to maintain their mental or physical well-being. They might have a close family member who lives abroad; they might require a fortnight in winter in a sunny location, to get the sunlight they need and keep their body clock running well. It’s really intrusive and unprofessional for a carer to make judgemental comments - unless they are truly concerned that you might lose entitlement to care or to benefits. And, in that case, they can help you to research your legal situation by pointing you towards sources of advice. The rights to health and to family life are human rights.

Mencap Trust Company hold money in trust for some individuals who had family members or friends who wanted to help them without burdening them with financial responsibility. The trusts are each set up so that the individual is never the sole beneficiary and has no outright entitlement to any of the money. It’s purely down to the trustees what happens to that money. Other beneficiaries may be charities or other family members or friends.

Because the individual has no outright entitlement to the money, it is never considered when the local authority or the DWP do a means test. That means that a person can get benefits and can get direct payments for carers. The trustees check up on the individual and ask them what they would like. Examples might be a tailored suit to look smart at a wedding; fees for an evening class; cost of a meal at a restaurant; or the cost of a holiday abroad.

That’s one way in which a person with a learning disability might be able to have a holiday abroad while still claiming benefits. Another way would be an outright gift from a family member. A third way would be very careful budgeting so that you pay for that holiday out of the limited savings permitted under the means tests for care and for benefits.

I think one needs to limit the length of the holiday to a fortnight or something, maybe it’s three weeks, I’m not sure, in order to retain full entitlement to UK benefits. Local authorities might have their own rules. Going on holiday doesn’t mean you’re no longer resident in a UK location and doesn’t mean a local authority doesn’t have an obligation to make sure your care needs are met.