On Aug 28, 10:45*am, "H" wrote:
Thanks, but you can be sure I would not be bothering this group if I thought
this lads behavioural
problems were of his own making. I have enough experience to recognise
autistic behaviour when it gets up and slaps me in the face.

I have a son with ASD, I know many people with ASD, I have read much on
diagnosing ASD, thus I can make an reasonably informed guess at his likely
condition -
the point is.....so should Social Services!

While the child and family need help, advice and guidance that may take the
form of legal action, it's not in Social Services interest to have any
diagnosis made which would create cost implications for them now - even if
it would help the family and save money later.

It's one thing to send a Social worker out now and again to chat to the
family but do nothing - quite another to take effective action.

What I am hoping this NG can turn it's collective mind to is...ways in
which Social Services can be compelled to do more than they are now.

I hope contributors accept what I have said as the basis from which
to advise. If, in contemplating what action one might
take, contributors assume the lad doesn't have a problem - can you relate it
to the legal situation.

Simply thinking he's lazy and making comments to that effect is not helping
me advance my understanding of
the law and I already understand there are people who don't give a damn and
don't want to help. Still, if a 'shardenfroid-ian' attitude is what gives a
contributor kicks - there's not a lot I can do about it but feel sorry for
them.

FWIW, I've worked with many families in need yet have never met a family so
impoverished and in need - in so many ways - as this.

H.

"Steve Walker" wrote in message

...



H wrote:
A family I know appear to be being very much let down by social
services.

The family, a mother and two sons, all have learning difficulties.
The older son has just turned 19, the younger will be 15 in September.

I think the older child has a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy and though
having no obvious mobility problems clearly has behavioural problems.

The behaviour is so bad that he has wrecked the family home, having
smashed most of furniture and doors, and annihilated the bathroom/loo
door such that there is no privacy. He also hits and bullies his
younger brother and mother.

On one occasion his mother rang and asked if I could take the older
boy to a bowling session as the arranged driver wasn't able to. I
arrived to find he was in his bedroom, alternately threatening to
jump out of the window and kicking whatever he could. His mother
asked if I could try talking to him. As I made my way up the stairs
he threw a cereal bowl at me with such force it lodged in the
electric cupboard door behind me. He then rushed down the stairs and
tried to rip the electric consumer unit inside the cupboard off the
wall. At that point I feared for his safety and mine so I pulled him
away from the unit turning him into the hallway. I stood between him
and the kitchen where I knew there were knives and other items he
could use as weapons. He then started to attack me with his fists
which I prevented by holding his wrists and used my legs to parry his
kicking. Eventually he ran outside into the arms of the local police
who had been called by his mother.

One of the police officers who knew the family eventually calmed him
down enough for me to take him to and from the bowling session, at
which he behaved well.

This altercation was caused simply because the person he had expected
to take him bowling wasn't able to.

From my observations, understanding of the family and this lad
together with my own knowledge of autism - I would say that this boy
shows clear signs of being autistic and his behaviour, for the most
part, is beyond his control. Unfortunately his mother does not have
the parenting skills that might otherwise help him.

I wrote a full letter of explanation of the evenings events and sent
copies to both his school and his social service worker. I made it
clear that he was abusing his family to such an extent that his
mother and brother lived in fear of their lives and also what
circumstances the family were living in.

Eventually, social services said they would try and find a school with
supported accommodation as well as having the home repaired. The
housing association said they would repair the place when the boy
moves out as any work they do now would only be ruined if he stayed.

Now, nearly eight months later, apart from providing a place at a day
college - nothing more has changed. The boy has not been found
accommodation and the house remains wrecked. This in turn has
implications for the 'freshness' of them as no one wants to bath!

Moreover, the family have been threatened with eviction because of
the boys behaviour - yet there is nothing they can do.

I am very concerned that this unfortunate family, who are in
desperate need of help, are being side-lined by social services
because of the cost implications and because they do not have the
ability to help themselves in fighting for the things they need.

I am concerned that because he does not have a proper diagnosis and
thus access to the help he needs the boy will eventually end up in
the prison system for something that he has no control over.

Any idea of what might be done to help?

Many thanks,

Seems unlikely to me that Social Services will be able to assess Autism -
he
needs to be seen by his GP and referred for medical evaluation. * *It may
be
of course that he's just a selfish, wilful and aggressive young man, who
needs to be invited to find his own home if the mother's rules are not to
his satisfaction.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

The "key" to unlocking social services "cooperation" is with the
family GP.

The family need an accurate diagnosis and that is not the remit of SSD
but from a GP referral. Based on the age of the eldest lad he would
come under adult services. Once you have a concrete diagnosis then you
have the leverage to get SSD services.


smithy

On Aug 26, 6:10*pm, "H" wrote:
A family I know appear to be being very much let down by social services.

The family, a mother and two sons, all have learning difficulties. The older
son has just turned 19, the younger will be 15 in September.

I think the older child has a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy and though having
no obvious mobility problems clearly has behavioural problems.

The behaviour is so bad that he has wrecked the family home, having smashed
most of furniture and doors, and annihilated the bathroom/loo door such that
there is no privacy. He also hits and bullies his younger brother and
mother.

On one occasion his mother rang and asked if I could take the older boy to a
bowling session as the arranged driver wasn't able to. I arrived to find he
was in his bedroom, alternately threatening to jump out of the window and
kicking whatever he could. His mother asked if I could try talking to him..
As I made my way up the stairs he threw a cereal bowl at me with such force
it lodged in the electric cupboard door behind me. He then rushed down the
stairs and tried to rip the electric consumer unit inside the cupboard off
the wall. At that point I feared for his safety and mine so I pulled him
away from the unit turning him into the hallway. I stood between him and the
kitchen where I knew there were knives and other items he could use as
weapons. He then started to attack me with his fists which I prevented by
holding his wrists and used my legs to parry his kicking. Eventually he ran
outside into the arms of the local police who had been called by his mother.

One of the police officers who knew the family eventually calmed him down
enough for me to take him to and from the bowling session, at which he
behaved well.

This altercation was caused simply because the person he had expected to
take him bowling wasn't able to.

From my observations, understanding of the family and this lad together with
my own knowledge of autism - I would say that this boy shows clear signs of
being autistic and his behaviour, for the most part, is beyond his control.
Unfortunately his mother does not have the parenting skills that might
otherwise help him.

I wrote a full letter of explanation of the evenings events and sent copies
to both his school and his social service worker. I made it clear that he
was abusing his family to such an extent that his mother and brother lived
in fear of their lives and also what circumstances the family were living
in.

Eventually, social services said they would try and find a school with
supported accommodation as well as having the home repaired. The housing
association said they would repair the place when the boy moves out as any
work they do now would only be ruined if he stayed.

Now, nearly eight months later, apart from providing a place at a day
college - nothing more has changed. The boy has not been found accommodation
and the house remains wrecked. This in turn has implications for the
'freshness' of them as no one wants to bath!

Moreover, the family have been threatened with eviction because of the boys
behaviour - yet there is nothing they can do.

I am very concerned that this unfortunate family, who are in desperate need
of help, are being side-lined by social services because of the cost
implications and because they do not have the ability to help themselves in
fighting for the things they need.

I am concerned that because he does not have a proper diagnosis and thus
access to the help he needs the boy will eventually end up in the prison
system for something that he has no control over.

Any idea of what might be done to help?

Many thanks,

H.

Try this link to the DoH framework for assessment it will give you the
guidelines that should be used.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publications...nce/DH_4008144

Please be "warned" from personal experience that the guidance issued
and general practice are far removed and fighting for services is time
consuming and distressing.

The family need an advocate try contacting your local authority
disability services to find local action groups and advocate
services.

i will try to find you the link for assessing adults.

smithy

On Aug 26, 6:10*pm, "H" wrote:
A family I know appear to be being very much let down by social services.

The family, a mother and two sons, all have learning difficulties. The older
son has just turned 19, the younger will be 15 in September.

I think the older child has a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy and though having
no obvious mobility problems clearly has behavioural problems.

The behaviour is so bad that he has wrecked the family home, having smashed
most of furniture and doors, and annihilated the bathroom/loo door such that
there is no privacy. He also hits and bullies his younger brother and
mother.

On one occasion his mother rang and asked if I could take the older boy to a
bowling session as the arranged driver wasn't able to. I arrived to find he
was in his bedroom, alternately threatening to jump out of the window and
kicking whatever he could. His mother asked if I could try talking to him..
As I made my way up the stairs he threw a cereal bowl at me with such force
it lodged in the electric cupboard door behind me. He then rushed down the
stairs and tried to rip the electric consumer unit inside the cupboard off
the wall. At that point I feared for his safety and mine so I pulled him
away from the unit turning him into the hallway. I stood between him and the
kitchen where I knew there were knives and other items he could use as
weapons. He then started to attack me with his fists which I prevented by
holding his wrists and used my legs to parry his kicking. Eventually he ran
outside into the arms of the local police who had been called by his mother.

One of the police officers who knew the family eventually calmed him down
enough for me to take him to and from the bowling session, at which he
behaved well.

This altercation was caused simply because the person he had expected to
take him bowling wasn't able to.

From my observations, understanding of the family and this lad together with
my own knowledge of autism - I would say that this boy shows clear signs of
being autistic and his behaviour, for the most part, is beyond his control.
Unfortunately his mother does not have the parenting skills that might
otherwise help him.

I wrote a full letter of explanation of the evenings events and sent copies
to both his school and his social service worker. I made it clear that he
was abusing his family to such an extent that his mother and brother lived
in fear of their lives and also what circumstances the family were living
in.

Eventually, social services said they would try and find a school with
supported accommodation as well as having the home repaired. The housing
association said they would repair the place when the boy moves out as any
work they do now would only be ruined if he stayed.

Now, nearly eight months later, apart from providing a place at a day
college - nothing more has changed. The boy has not been found accommodation
and the house remains wrecked. This in turn has implications for the
'freshness' of them as no one wants to bath!

Moreover, the family have been threatened with eviction because of the boys
behaviour - yet there is nothing they can do.

I am very concerned that this unfortunate family, who are in desperate need
of help, are being side-lined by social services because of the cost
implications and because they do not have the ability to help themselves in
fighting for the things they need.

I am concerned that because he does not have a proper diagnosis and thus
access to the help he needs the boy will eventually end up in the prison
system for something that he has no control over.

Any idea of what might be done to help?

Many thanks,

H.

Found It !!!

Adult assessment guidelines

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publications...ion/DH_4088476


also worth reading

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts1990...#pt3-pb2-l1g47

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/...unity_care.htm

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Disabled...th/DG_10023343


If you want to act as an advocate for these people i can give you
guidance on letter writing and complaints procedures with a local
authority.

smithy

"The Todal" wrote in message
...

"Don Aitken" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:00:10 +0100, "The Todal"
wrote:


"H" wrote in message
et.uk...


What I am hoping this NG can turn it's collective mind to is...ways in
which Social Services can be compelled to do more than they are now.

I hope contributors accept what I have said as the basis from which
to advise. If, in contemplating what action one might
take, contributors assume the lad doesn't have a problem - can you
relate
it
to the legal situation.

Have the boy examined by an educational psychologist. Insist that the
local
authority refers him to their own one, free of charge. Alternatively go
the
GP route, ask for the GP to refer him to a suitable consultant so that
his
needs can be diagnosed.

From there, it is a question of demanding that he be statemented and if
there is no cooperation, well, many people go to court to compel the
local
authority to act, but it would be sensible to use a good firm of lawyers
such as (I've mentioned them before), Levenes.

I thought of that too, but its seems he is nineteen. Is it possible to
be statemented at that age?

Ah, I missed that. But there are references in the original post to
writing
to the boy's school.

He was a child when I wrote to the school - he is now an adult.

If the boy requires treatment to calm him and make him more placid to deal
with, presumably that should be via his doctor. Ritalin or Lithium or
whatever it takes.

No he does not require a chemical cosh - he requires a highly structured
environment with people able to deal with his behaviour.

And likewise if the family think he should be committed to some sort of
institution.

His mother agrees that he needs a more structured environment where he can
learn to cope and live, but she is not strong enough to maintain or enforce
this idea, being easily influenced by her son - which is exactly why they
need to be separated!


I am not at all sure what the Social Services department can offer, apart
from a helper to come to the house at intervals if appropriate.

Social Services can see the effect of a single mother having learning
difficulties and weak parenting skills trying to look after a son with
significant autistic tendencies - it is a recipe for disaster - see the link
Smithy posted: Framework for Assessment of Children in Need
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publications...nce/DH_4008144

Is it so different from having a spouse with Alzheimers?

Yes. Very different. As I mentioned I have a son with ASD. I also helped my
wife look after her parents, both of whom had Alzheimer's and other
complications - so I speak from experience.

Frankly, when Alzheimer's becomes 'difficult' then the management is really
about helping someone who will die live as well and with as much dignity as
possible - in short, it's the management of a deteriorating condition.

Helping a child with Autism is about finding ways and means to help the
individual cope with 'life'. Since Autism covers such a vast spectrum the
outcomes are equally varied. Changes are generally brought about in small
steps over long periods but the management aim is for improvement in
condition.

Clearly the management of Alzheimer's and the management of Autism require
two very different approaches. The only similarity is that each require
considerable resources to help the individual, and those associated with
their care, to enjoy a reasonable quality of life.

H.

wrote in message
...
On Aug 26, 6:10 pm, "H" wrote:
A family I know appear to be being very much let down by social services.

The family, a mother and two sons, all have learning difficulties. The
older
son has just turned 19, the younger will be 15 in September.

I think the older child has a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy and though
having
no obvious mobility problems clearly has behavioural problems.

The behaviour is so bad that he has wrecked the family home, having
smashed
most of furniture and doors, and annihilated the bathroom/loo door such
that
there is no privacy. He also hits and bullies his younger brother and
mother.

On one occasion his mother rang and asked if I could take the older boy to
a
bowling session as the arranged driver wasn't able to. I arrived to find
he
was in his bedroom, alternately threatening to jump out of the window and
kicking whatever he could. His mother asked if I could try talking to him.
As I made my way up the stairs he threw a cereal bowl at me with such
force
it lodged in the electric cupboard door behind me. He then rushed down the
stairs and tried to rip the electric consumer unit inside the cupboard off
the wall. At that point I feared for his safety and mine so I pulled him
away from the unit turning him into the hallway. I stood between him and
the
kitchen where I knew there were knives and other items he could use as
weapons. He then started to attack me with his fists which I prevented by
holding his wrists and used my legs to parry his kicking. Eventually he
ran
outside into the arms of the local police who had been called by his
mother.

One of the police officers who knew the family eventually calmed him down
enough for me to take him to and from the bowling session, at which he
behaved well.

This altercation was caused simply because the person he had expected to
take him bowling wasn't able to.

From my observations, understanding of the family and this lad together
with
my own knowledge of autism - I would say that this boy shows clear signs
of
being autistic and his behaviour, for the most part, is beyond his
control.
Unfortunately his mother does not have the parenting skills that might
otherwise help him.

I wrote a full letter of explanation of the evenings events and sent
copies
to both his school and his social service worker. I made it clear that he
was abusing his family to such an extent that his mother and brother lived
in fear of their lives and also what circumstances the family were living
in.

Eventually, social services said they would try and find a school with
supported accommodation as well as having the home repaired. The housing
association said they would repair the place when the boy moves out as any
work they do now would only be ruined if he stayed.

Now, nearly eight months later, apart from providing a place at a day
college - nothing more has changed. The boy has not been found
accommodation
and the house remains wrecked. This in turn has implications for the
'freshness' of them as no one wants to bath!

Moreover, the family have been threatened with eviction because of the
boys
behaviour - yet there is nothing they can do.

I am very concerned that this unfortunate family, who are in desperate
need
of help, are being side-lined by social services because of the cost
implications and because they do not have the ability to help themselves
in
fighting for the things they need.

I am concerned that because he does not have a proper diagnosis and thus
access to the help he needs the boy will eventually end up in the prison
system for something that he has no control over.

Any idea of what might be done to help?

Many thanks,

H.

Try this link to the DoH framework for assessment it will give you the
guidelines that should be used.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publications...nce/DH_4008144

Please be "warned" from personal experience that the guidance issued
and general practice are far removed and fighting for services is time
consuming and distressing.

The family need an advocate try contacting your local authority
disability services to find local action groups and advocate
services.

i will try to find you the link for assessing adults.

smithy



Thank you for the link. Having the Framework means I can at least make a
comparative assessment using the same criteria. But just from my brief scan
of the document I can see the lads family ticks every box of a child in
need.

Of course, nothing is that easy, and as you have recognised, he is no longer
a child.

The criteria for receiving help as an adult is, as far as memory serves, not
only far more demanding but provides considerably less.

A child with a high level of needs which were identified correctly and who
received support to meet those needs would have that support continued as
they transitioned into adult services.

I think there is an argument that Social Services should have carried out a
far more thorough assessment than they appear to have done and which, if
properly carried out, would have reached different conclusions (to those
that appear to being assumed now) and provided with access to a far greater
raft of resources than he has so far received, which in turn would have
resulted in different transition arrangements to those currently being
proposed, which in any event, should have been decided on much earlier and
put into effect much earlier too. As usual, too little too late.

I too have personal experience of doing battle with Local Authorities,
having won our Disabled Facilities Grant after a 4 year battle. So I
understand very well the difference between - what's advertised - what LAs
say - and what actually happens in practice!

I did try to find an advocate for the family - but the local advocacy
project has had its funding either reduced or stopped - what more can I say.

I don't really want to get involved with this family as I have enough to do
just coping with my own son and our problems - on the other hand their
plight is so chronic that to do nothing and simply 'pass by on the other
side' is something I just cannot do.

H.

"mert1639" wrote in message
...

"The Todal" wrote in message
...

"Don Aitken" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:00:10 +0100, "The Todal"
wrote:


"H" wrote in message
news:qYudncNSLOmP7ivVnZ2dnUVZ8rGdnZ2d@eclipse. net.uk...


What I am hoping this NG can turn it's collective mind to is...ways in
which Social Services can be compelled to do more than they are now.

I hope contributors accept what I have said as the basis from which
to advise. If, in contemplating what action one might
take, contributors assume the lad doesn't have a problem - can you
relate
it
to the legal situation.

Have the boy examined by an educational psychologist. Insist that the
local
authority refers him to their own one, free of charge. Alternatively go
the
GP route, ask for the GP to refer him to a suitable consultant so that
his
needs can be diagnosed.

From there, it is a question of demanding that he be statemented and if
there is no cooperation, well, many people go to court to compel the
local
authority to act, but it would be sensible to use a good firm of lawyers
such as (I've mentioned them before), Levenes.

I thought of that too, but its seems he is nineteen. Is it possible to
be statemented at that age?

Ah, I missed that. But there are references in the original post to
writing
to the boy's school.

If the boy requires treatment to calm him and make him more placid to
deal
with, presumably that should be via his doctor. Ritalin or Lithium or
whatever it takes. And likewise if the family think he should be
committed
to some sort of institution.

I am not at all sure what the Social Services department can offer, apart
from a helper to come to the house at intervals if appropriate. Is it so
different from having a spouse with Alzheimers? Looking after such a
person
and keeping them safe from harm can be a great burden, but sometimes it
is
that or placing them in a nursing home.

Who would pay for insitutional care for the child? Would it be the
council?

Given the families circumstances - who else would have a responsibility?

H.

Thank you again, you have been most helpful. And, yes please, I would
appreciate your advice on letter writing and complain procedures.

H.

wrote in message
...
On Aug 26, 6:10 pm, "H" wrote:
A family I know appear to be being very much let down by social services.

The family, a mother and two sons, all have learning difficulties. The
older
son has just turned 19, the younger will be 15 in September.

I think the older child has a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy and though
having
no obvious mobility problems clearly has behavioural problems.

The behaviour is so bad that he has wrecked the family home, having
smashed
most of furniture and doors, and annihilated the bathroom/loo door such
that
there is no privacy. He also hits and bullies his younger brother and
mother.

On one occasion his mother rang and asked if I could take the older boy to
a
bowling session as the arranged driver wasn't able to. I arrived to find
he
was in his bedroom, alternately threatening to jump out of the window and
kicking whatever he could. His mother asked if I could try talking to him.
As I made my way up the stairs he threw a cereal bowl at me with such
force
it lodged in the electric cupboard door behind me. He then rushed down the
stairs and tried to rip the electric consumer unit inside the cupboard off
the wall. At that point I feared for his safety and mine so I pulled him
away from the unit turning him into the hallway. I stood between him and
the
kitchen where I knew there were knives and other items he could use as
weapons. He then started to attack me with his fists which I prevented by
holding his wrists and used my legs to parry his kicking. Eventually he
ran
outside into the arms of the local police who had been called by his
mother.

One of the police officers who knew the family eventually calmed him down
enough for me to take him to and from the bowling session, at which he
behaved well.

This altercation was caused simply because the person he had expected to
take him bowling wasn't able to.

From my observations, understanding of the family and this lad together
with
my own knowledge of autism - I would say that this boy shows clear signs
of
being autistic and his behaviour, for the most part, is beyond his
control.
Unfortunately his mother does not have the parenting skills that might
otherwise help him.

I wrote a full letter of explanation of the evenings events and sent
copies
to both his school and his social service worker. I made it clear that he
was abusing his family to such an extent that his mother and brother lived
in fear of their lives and also what circumstances the family were living
in.

Eventually, social services said they would try and find a school with
supported accommodation as well as having the home repaired. The housing
association said they would repair the place when the boy moves out as any
work they do now would only be ruined if he stayed.

Now, nearly eight months later, apart from providing a place at a day
college - nothing more has changed. The boy has not been found
accommodation
and the house remains wrecked. This in turn has implications for the
'freshness' of them as no one wants to bath!

Moreover, the family have been threatened with eviction because of the
boys
behaviour - yet there is nothing they can do.

I am very concerned that this unfortunate family, who are in desperate
need
of help, are being side-lined by social services because of the cost
implications and because they do not have the ability to help themselves
in
fighting for the things they need.

I am concerned that because he does not have a proper diagnosis and thus
access to the help he needs the boy will eventually end up in the prison
system for something that he has no control over.

Any idea of what might be done to help?

Many thanks,

H.

Found It !!!

Adult assessment guidelines

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publications...ion/DH_4088476


also worth reading

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts1990...#pt3-pb2-l1g47

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/...unity_care.htm

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Disabled...th/DG_10023343


If you want to act as an advocate for these people i can give you
guidance on letter writing and complaints procedures with a local
authority.

smithy

On Aug 29, 3:10*am, "H" wrote:
wrote in message

...
On Aug 26, 6:10 pm, "H" wrote:





A family I know appear to be being very much let down by social services.

The family, a mother and two sons, all have learning difficulties. The
older
son has just turned 19, the younger will be 15 in September.

I think the older child has a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy and though
having
no obvious mobility problems clearly has behavioural problems.

The behaviour is so bad that he has wrecked the family home, having
smashed
most of furniture and doors, and annihilated the bathroom/loo door such
that
there is no privacy. He also hits and bullies his younger brother and
mother.

On one occasion his mother rang and asked if I could take the older boy to
a
bowling session as the arranged driver wasn't able to. I arrived to find
he
was in his bedroom, alternately threatening to jump out of the window and
kicking whatever he could. His mother asked if I could try talking to him.
As I made my way up the stairs he threw a cereal bowl at me with such
force
it lodged in the electric cupboard door behind me. He then rushed down the
stairs and tried to rip the electric consumer unit inside the cupboard off
the wall. At that point I feared for his safety and mine so I pulled him
away from the unit turning him into the hallway. I stood between him and
the
kitchen where I knew there were knives and other items he could use as
weapons. He then started to attack me with his fists which I prevented by
holding his wrists and used my legs to parry his kicking. Eventually he
ran
outside into the arms of the local police who had been called by his
mother.

One of the police officers who knew the family eventually calmed him down
enough for me to take him to and from the bowling session, at which he
behaved well.

This altercation was caused simply because the person he had expected to
take him bowling wasn't able to.

From my observations, understanding of the family and this lad together
with
my own knowledge of autism - I would say that this boy shows clear signs
of
being autistic and his behaviour, for the most part, is beyond his
control.
Unfortunately his mother does not have the parenting skills that might
otherwise help him.

I wrote a full letter of explanation of the evenings events and sent
copies
to both his school and his social service worker. I made it clear that he
was abusing his family to such an extent that his mother and brother lived
in fear of their lives and also what circumstances the family were living
in.

Eventually, social services said they would try and find a school with
supported accommodation as well as having the home repaired. The housing
association said they would repair the place when the boy moves out as any
work they do now would only be ruined if he stayed.

Now, nearly eight months later, apart from providing a place at a day
college - nothing more has changed. The boy has not been found
accommodation
and the house remains wrecked. This in turn has implications for the
'freshness' of them as no one wants to bath!

Moreover, the family have been threatened with eviction because of the
boys
behaviour - yet there is nothing they can do.

I am very concerned that this unfortunate family, who are in desperate
need
of help, are being side-lined by social services because of the cost
implications and because they do not have the ability to help themselves
in
fighting for the things they need.

I am concerned that because he does not have a proper diagnosis and thus
access to the help he needs the boy will eventually end up in the prison
system for something that he has no control over.

Any idea of what might be done to help?

Many thanks,

H.

Try this link to the DoH framework for assessment it will give you the
guidelines that should be used.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publications...cations/Public...

Please be "warned" from personal experience that the guidance issued
and general practice are far removed and fighting for services is time
consuming and distressing.

The family need an advocate try contacting your local authority
disability services to find local action groups and advocate
services.

i will try to find you the link for assessing adults.

smithy

Thank you for the link. Having the Framework means I can at least make a
comparative assessment using the same criteria. But just from my brief scan
of the document I can see the lads family ticks every box of a child in
need.

Of course, nothing is that easy, and as you have recognised, he is no longer
a child.

The criteria for receiving help as an adult is, as far as memory serves, not
only far more demanding but provides considerably less.

A child with a high level of needs which were identified correctly and who
received support to meet those needs would have that support continued as
they transitioned into adult services.

I think there is an argument that Social Services should have carried out a
far more thorough assessment than they appear to have done and which, if
properly carried out, would have reached different conclusions (to those
that appear to being assumed now) and provided with access to a far greater
raft of resources than he has so far received, which in turn would have
resulted in different transition arrangements to those currently being
proposed, which in any event, should have been decided on much earlier and
put into effect much earlier too. As usual, too little too late.

I too have personal experience of doing battle with Local Authorities,
having won our Disabled Facilities Grant after a 4 year battle. So I
understand very well the difference between - what's advertised - what LAs
say - and what actually happens in practice!

I did try to find an advocate for the family - but the local advocacy
project has had its funding either reduced or stopped - what more can I say.

I don't really want to get involved with this family as I have enough to do
just coping with my own son and our problems - on the other hand their
plight is so chronic that to do nothing and simply 'pass by on the other
side' is something I just cannot do.

H.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Once you think that SSD are failing to meet the families needs you
need to put in a complaint saying the needs are not being met. You
will need to get the mothers permission to write on her behalf and for
SSD to discuss the situation with you. So you also need to send a
letter saying that in order to comply with the Data Protection Act
1998 please accept this letter as permission from ??????? to discuss
the case and get the mother to sign it.

Complaints against SSD come under the remit of the Local Authority
Ombudsman and are strictly timetabled for response and resolution.

Your LA are also governed by the Freedom of Information Act and you
are entitled to copies of all their Policies and Procedures. These are
the ones developed locally from the DoH framework.

the first stage of the complaints procedure is to arrange a meeting to
discuss a resolution this is the stage they draw out to put people off
so set your own timetable for a resolution and when they don't solve
it take it to the next stage. once it reaches stage 2 and an
independant investigation then you get action.

good luck

smithy

H wrote:
"mert1639" wrote in message
...

Who would pay for insitutional care for the child? Would it be the
council?

Given the families circumstances - who else would have a
responsibility?

Possibly the NHS, depending upon the diagnosis.

"Steve Walker" wrote in message
...
H wrote:
"mert1639" wrote in message
...

Who would pay for insitutional care for the child? Would it be the
council?

Given the families circumstances - who else would have a
responsibility?

Possibly the NHS, depending upon the diagnosis.

What sort of diagnosis would involve the NHS in having a responsibility to
pay for his care?