supported living South Derbyshire

[Sunny1486]

hi it’s my first time here

I wonder if anyone can help

My son has autism and a severe intellectual disability

He is 18. I am starting the process for supported living but don’t know where to start. Does anyone have any suggestions for South Derbyshire area? Also suggestions on how to start? Should I go and visit as many as possible?

thanks

[Jofisher]

hi contact Adult social services as they would need to assess your son and then they would give you a booklet with lots of different homes supporting different peoples needs for example does your son require supported living residential or nursing so the assessment is what tells them what is required to meet your sons needs so it’s really important to be honest. Once that’s been done you then have to go and look around the homes that you feel would be right and where they’re located and then see what you think. I would also check out how they’re rated on the Care Quality Commission website not that that is always a true reflection sadly but we have to do what we can to protect our loved ones. Good luck with your families journey.

[Sunny1486 in reply to Jofisher]

Thanks so much

I’ll make a start with your suggestions - much appreciated

Thanks

[DrSarahmac]

hi I don’t have anything extra to add but just wanted to wish you every success and hope you find somewhere you’re happy with. Keep coming back here and check in for advice and support. The only thing to add would be - don’t wait forever for answers just keep chasing or it will take forever. Best wishes.

[Bergersil400]

Is your son social services supported or health funded. If social service will have Social worker if health funded will be NHS continuing health care. They will help you with what available. Is your son still in education?

[Maurice_Mencap Partner]

Hi Sunny1486 , thanks for reaching out, there's some good advice already on the thread but I just wanted to add that Mencap's Learning Disability Helpline might be a good place to get some advice from. You can phone free on 0808 808 1111 or send an email on [e-mail] if you prefer and our trained advisers will be able to offer some support, or signpost to places that can.

Hope that helps - please let us know how you get on. 🙂

[Steve__]

Good luck, this can be an adventure.

Everyone's different, but I found the following.

- make sure you choose what you and yours want (not just what's cheap or convenient for the council, or what feeds money to an SL provider... Providers are businesses, and will advertise their stuff and take the money and then underperform in some cases. If you look on cqc website, both for the provider and for all the other homes in their care, you get a better idea of the future than what they might advertise. You may have to fight for better. Check out the Care Act for what you're entitled to and be ready to clarify it before and during any best interests meeting.

- get a handle on if "capacity" will be an issue... If your lad has capacity to choose, they need to choose wisely!

- yes, visit lots. I made a spreadsheet. Like anything, it makes more sense with repeating the skill. Don't let the first one talk you into a "sale" unless you're totally sure it's better than the others. Take a friend if possible, just to bounce your thoughts off.

- make friends with the provider. Aim to visit twice, including when the place is full. Living in a place comes mostly from what the other people are like.

- "supported"?? This varies a lot. Ask searching questions about what the support actually is to as many people as you can get away with!

Good luck, Steve