1:1 Support in Supported Living

[SENmum24]

Hello. I have found supported living for my 24year old daughter who has severe LD, Epilepsy, and ASD. The placement only have 1:1 support but my SW is saying she isn't assessed as needing that level. She cannot be left on her own and is more like a 3 year old. Has anyone else challenged this?

[AMPJAP]

Hi just a few comments well meaning my son has probably same a level of disability and is in supported living with three other men his care costs are £4500 per 4weeks his care a mixture of 1/ 1 1/3 and sleep in 1/4 this is paid for the local council social care.Rent is paid via housing benefits food and utilities are divided between the four men about £400 each and of course there are there personal spending(cinema bowling eating out archery football they are never bored) all of which is paid out of his PIP AND ESA So to get to the Cost of what you are asking for 1-1 Day rate 24/7 x about £20 per hour minimum equals about £3360 per week or £175000. per year sorry to be to be blunt but I think you have next to no chance getting council to provide that level of support There are disabled adults getting very high support costs paid but with much severe disabilities and challenging behaviour.

You daughter will get her support but not 1/1 all the time but you will have to fight to get as much as she needs

Good luck with you quest to get the best care package for you daughter and I’m glad that you are starting to get this done now and not waiting till you are

old age pensioners like us

S

[1946timmy]

Hi my 47 year old son has just moved into supported living , it’s a shared house with 2 young women. He has 1-1 , 24/7 , he is Autistic and Epileptic. The 2 girls have some 1-1 time but also shared time. Sadly for them unless SS accept they need more 1-1 time they won’t get it. If your SW says your daughter doesn’t need 1-1 you can challenge it , has she ever been assessed as needing 1-1 ? Have you anything that says what her needs are. I would suggest ringing Mencap helpline they are very helpful. It will be a struggle but good luck.

[Bluey203]

This is our concern for the future too, like many on here. The ludicrous thing is, it's illegal to leave a child alone if it puts them at risk, if they are unable to look after themselves or know what to do in an emergency, and children under 16 should not be left alone over night.

Yet social services are the ones who override a parents judgement and indepth knowledge of their adult severely learning disabled child, and are putting our loved ones at risk, who have the same level of understanding as an under 5 year old.

Councils are pushing supported living rather than residential as it saves them alot of money, but they should be giving the right support to each individual for safety.

Those requiring 1-1 support 24/7 are a tiny percentage of the population. I think it's shameful parents have to fight for essential support and quality of life for the most vulnerable in society.

I really hope you successfully challenge their decision, best of luck .

[Scrutineer in reply to Bluey203]

Im interested in your comment that Supported Living saves money in relation to residential care. Can you explain the reasons for that statement? Very difficult for parents to understand the different funding arrangements, as you clearly do. Appreciate your help.

[Bluey203 in reply to Scrutineer]

Hi Scrutineer, it gives the financial advantage to local authorities of shifting property costs onto central government funded Housing Benefit.

[SENmum24]

Thanks all. I can understand that it is budgeting requirements, council are strapped for cash, etc. The predicament is that so far I have not found a suitable supported living placement that does have space and shared hours. I have found plenty of placements that only offer 1:1 support. I think this will end up being the argument as I am unable to be her carer long term and they are unable to find a suitable placement in a timely manner that within her assessed hours of support. Something has to give and I can't give any more than I already am. (N.B - single parent with no family support in this country so all falls to me

[Balamorym]

If SS are saying that shared support is suitable, they should provide a suitable placement. This may take some time of course. They could also look at providing housing and support separately, ie provide a rental property then put a suitable care package in place. This could be a shared property or just for your daughter. It might be worth raising this. You could also ask if they can provide the housing and provide you with direct payments to commission the support yourself. I am currently persuing this for my son. I am also looking at finding a private rental plus using direct payments for support which might speed things up. It's tricky renting on benefits though. Good luck.